The Grass Doctor

GRASS Help PLEASE?

We are in a drought and our grass is really not 100%. We have 2 options.which do you think is better: 1.spread top soil over the whole grass and sow seeds into it 2.spread Dynamic Lifter(Fertilizer) around the grass. We are in Sydney Australia so it is coming into summer.we water at least once a week(usually Sunday) but sometimes twice a week(wednesday due to water restrictions). We have all types of grass but mainly couch and buffalo.There are also heaps of weeds(Bindii and Catsear).

Public Comments

1. fertilise just before or while its raining pull out those weeds or spray them with roundup (carefully or it will kill every thing)
2. If it's a really bad drought I don't think fertiliser would help - it can damage the grass if there's not going to be much rain or watering. Personally, I'd leave it as it is until the drought passes then reseed the lawn.
3. Use a good feed and weed killer mix to start with, but make sure the soil is well aerated so the water soaks in and does not just sit on the surface and evaporate, you can do this by using a garden fork and poking holes in the ground around every 6-8 inches and a least 2 inches deep.
4. I'm in the US, so I am not familiar with your types of grass, but I am familiar with trying to grow grass where none can or should grow. Look into using the native plants; something that does NOT require watering. The wrong choice of plants in a climate with watering restrictions will always fail. Either alternative you mention will result in further disappointment. Look at the neighbors, go to the local nurseries and look at what will grow in your conditions, and rethink what you need. Here, in the west and southwest where rain is scarce, many people design yards around cacti, yucca, wild grasses and rocks, often large boulders that require far less care.
5. Hmmm good question. I would do option 1. I would use common bermuda seeds as this grass is very drought tolerant and also spreads like crazy...However it will need to be watered almost daily until it gets established. You will have to use about 1/2 inch of top soil over the seeds to keep them from blowing away or birds eating them. Oh by the way if the top soil is kept moist you have a greater chance of the seeds germinating...usually sprigs will come out in about 2 maybe 3 weeks.
6. well if you have the same buffalo grass as we have in the US it is drought tolerant i would not apply any fertilizer now because it could kill the grass you have left my recomenndation is continue to water on the days you can but try to increase your water to at least 1 inch per week or water when it is dark so you dont get a bunch of evaporation dont seed anything till you get rain and can water better because if a seed spouts it will have to be kept wet to live and grow. your best bet is to leave it alone and what grass survives will be a good strong grass and kill the weeds when the drought is over then reseed