Browse Forums Landscape & Garden Design 1 Nov 24, 2013 8:01 pm Hey guys I need your help. Family circumstances have meant that our backyard has gone to ruins over the last year. I've just been out there trying to use a manual hedge cutter to cut down the 1.5m tall weeds and I cannot believe how bad it is. We appear to have dozens of different types of weeds out there - many with very thick stems and they're growing like wildfire. I can only see a 30cm square section where the grass is possibly still alive, and the rest is dirt/sand and weeds. My little guy has special needs and we're spending at least $300/week on his therapy plus appointments etc, so we're struggling to think of a way to get the grass back and have a nice backyard for him to play in, without it costing incredible amounts - BUT, I know with the damage done, it likely will. What I'm wondering if whether it's even possible to try and regrow the grass when it's so infested with all types of weeds? Are they just going to have taken over the soil everywhere now, even if we pull them out by the roots? Or will we have to dig out the entire lot, deep enough to get all of the weeds out, and then lay new grass? I just don't know how to fix it or where to begin. We desperately want a backyard for our little guy to play and do his therapy in - it's breaking my heart that it's summer and he can't go outside and play like other kids. Any advice is really really appreciated. Thanks guys x Re: HELP! Is our backyard is beyond repair? :( 2Nov 24, 2013 9:41 pm You are going to struggle to get a lawn for this summer but to get rid of the weeds I reckon roundup is the way to go. Get the concentrate, not the premixed sprays, and follow the instructions exactly with regards to concentration (also give it time to kill the roots before trying to cut them or pull them out). Once you have killed everything I'd go for a native grass like kikuya which will form a fairly dense lawn which will out compete the weeds. The Harder You Try - the Luckier You Get ! Web site http://www.anewhouse.com.au Informative, Amusing, and Opinionated Blog - Over 600 posts on all aspects of building a new house. Re: HELP! Is our backyard is beyond repair? :( 3Nov 24, 2013 10:00 pm bashworth You are going to struggle to get a lawn for this summer but to get rid of the weeds I reckon roundup is the way to go. Get the concentrate, not the premixed sprays, and follow the instructions exactly with regards to concentration (also give it time to kill the roots before trying to cut them or pull them out). Once you have killed everything I'd go for a native grass like kikuya which will form a fairly dense lawn which will out compete the weeds. Thanks so much for your quick reply. Would Empire Zoysia keep weeds out as well as Kikuya? It's pricey I know, but I really like the look/feel of it. Re: HELP! Is our backyard is beyond repair? :( 4Nov 25, 2013 5:50 am Sorry I have never used Empire Zoysia so can't really comment The Harder You Try - the Luckier You Get ! Web site http://www.anewhouse.com.au Informative, Amusing, and Opinionated Blog - Over 600 posts on all aspects of building a new house. Re: HELP! Is our backyard is beyond repair? :( 5Nov 25, 2013 10:28 am I used EZ for the side yard at my place approx 60 m2. It's slow growing which for me is a plus and once established does a good job of keeping the weeds at bay. It browns off in Winter for the first couple of seasons and then bounces back no probs. I give it a couple feeds with seamungus during the year and a mix of seasol and powerfeed about once a month. The kids luv it. Re: HELP! Is our backyard is beyond repair? :( 6Nov 25, 2013 11:33 am I had a massive cape weed infestation in my back yard earlier this year & lost hope at the thought of pulling it all out by hand. Saw an ad in the local paper for weed eradication and got the guy to come out and spray it all for me (it took him less than 10 minutes with the sprayer mounted on his truck). I was really surprised that the chemical he used killed selectively - it got rid of the capeweed but left the grass and all of my plants in normal condition. Cost me $300. So my advice would be to speak to a local weed control contractor and see if they can help you out. They might even give you a discount if you ask nicely! (given it's for such a good cause). Good luck with it all Re: HELP! Is our backyard is beyond repair? :( 7Nov 29, 2013 12:54 pm Using any kind of weed killer for an entire lawn is an irresponsible use of broad-spectrum flora poison. What do you think happens when flora poisons such as Round-up enters the main water-ways after it rains? If enough residents follow this practice, say good-bye to a few species in the local creeks. Then there's the problem of dormant weed-seed left in the soil long after the poisons have broken down. For rampant infestations, buy a large roll of UV resistant black plastic from the hardware. Hack out the large weeds then roll-out and peg down the black plastic. Leave the plastic in place for a month to 6 weeks. Black plastic is a very effective plant-life killer. After 6 weeks, all plant-life is killed by lack of light and solar heat. All weed seeds at or near the soil surface will germinate and die or get cooked from the heat. The plastic may cause temporary rain run-off problems - so keep water drainage in mind when using the plastic technique. After 6 weeks, rent a rotary tiller, churn the weed compost into the soil, add soil improvers and grass seed and keep the soil moist for 3 weeks. Re: HELP! Is our backyard is beyond repair? :( 8Dec 04, 2013 7:37 pm Who would pay $300 for weed killer??? As above its irresponsible and a waste of money. I would rent a rotary tiller as suggested... use the lawn prep info found in another thread and lay EZ. I have found that EZ is good for cutting back on weeds. I do have onion weed in my EZ but im not really fussed. Supposed to be good for the nitrogen levels or something... Re: HELP! Is our backyard is beyond repair? :( 9Dec 06, 2013 1:58 am Whoa. You guys are harsh! Have you ever been to a cropping farm and seen the amount of herbicides and pesticides used? I hand weed when I can because it is instant and removes the seed heads. A severe infestation may require stronger measures. Then again if you have allowed your lawn to get away from you then maybe having a lawn is not for you. Meggles: How large is your yard? Can you post a photo? If your yard has gone to ruin the black plastic approach may be best as you will have many seeds in the soil that you would not want to germinate. By the sounds of it it is going to be a big job. Good luck Re: HELP! Is our backyard is beyond repair? :( 10Dec 06, 2013 8:17 am BoxJelly Whoa. You guys are harsh! Have you ever been to a cropping farm and seen the amount of herbicides and pesticides used? I hand weed when I can because it is instant and removes the seed heads. A severe infestation may require stronger measures. Then again if you have allowed your lawn to get away from you then maybe having a lawn is not for you. Meggles: How large is your yard? Can you post a photo? If your yard has gone to ruin the black plastic approach may be best as you will have many seeds in the soil that you would not want to germinate. By the sounds of it it is going to be a big job. Good luck Agree with BJ - its always horses for courses. Until you have the problem - know it - stating blandly that something is wrong is wrong. Spraying responsibly can be the best option - depending on circumstances. And the spray used. Also agree on options - is lawn the best option ? There are other ideas. The plastic eradication is good if you do it properly and have the time & money to do it. Round-up is not the killer that is made out. BUT - whatever you do - you will need to look after it - NO garden/backyard is "no-care" - "easy care" maybe - but not "no-care". You will need to put in the effort to keep it looking good. DIY, Home Maintenance & Repair Hi All, Hoping someone might be be to provide some advice on my ceiling that needs repair. Photos attached, but seems like the alcove (??) is pulling away. Thanks Thomas 0 6539 DIY, Home Maintenance & Repair The intent of that sort of clause is being misaaplied. its suposed to be used to avoid paying out for things liek when you decided to do a reno yourself and the… 3 5518 |