MOISTURE is deep down and these ideal conditions are set to continue. During the drought many people reduced or replaced their lawn and others, including yours truly, did absolutely nothing. With regular rainfall, the grass had not died, but bounced back and the ritual exercise of weekly lawn mowing took off again.

Those who replaced lawns looked for grass with a higher drought tolerance, one of the most popular varieties being “Sir Walter” buffalo grass. This is extremely drought tolerant with spreading runners. The only disadvantage is that in cold weather – and if your garden is exposed – this grass can die back in winter, as seen here.

However, it will soon green up with a few warm days in spring. Although, if we get a mild winter and early spring, windborne weeds can grow in the lawn before the grass fully greens up.

One needs to be careful as to which type of weed killer to use. Do seek advice before taking a lawn weed killer off the shelf at your garden centre. Canturf, our own local turf company, still grows and sells the traditional “Canberra Blend” and one can see how well it grows on the farm at Fyshwick. Developed in Canberra for local conditions, many  people still prefer this grass for its softer feel and without the problems of winter die-back.

In addition to weeds in lawns, other problems include lawn grubs that quietly chew the roots. Usually, the first indication your lawn is in trouble is when you see magpies madly eating the grubs, as whole patches of lawn die before your eyes. By that time it is too late.

Then there is knowing the optimum time to fertilise your lawn.

The answer to all these problems can be solved with our local Coochie Hydrogreen Lawn Services. This is a totally locally-owned company started in Yass. Its lawn-care program is designed to simplify fertilising, soil conditioning, lawn pest and weed control on a year-round maintenance program. Go to www.coochie.com.au or freecall 1800 245 955

A REMINDER for those trying to identify plants, pests and diseases. The School of Horticulture conducts its CIT Plant Clinic every Monday from 2pm to 4pm (during school terms, call 6207 3188).

Located at CIT Bruce in Building N, Charles Weston Lane (corner of  Battye and Eade Streets) Bruce. Look for the plant clinic signs. This is an important part of student training and is backed up by qualified horticulture teachers. Examples of advice include chemical-free alternatives for your garden, identifying weeds from plants and are those creepy crawlies really doing damage to your plants etcetera?

Besides a smile, take plants for identification, preferably with seeds, flowers and leaves. Diseased plants and bugs etcetera should be in a plastic bag or a container. Students and staff are able to answer any general gardening questions such as when and how to prune plants and more.

It’s time to act

NOW is the time to get your lawn in order for summer:

• If your lawn has not been cored in recent years do it now.

• Check pop-up sprinkler systems and adjust automatic timers.

• If top dressing to fill in hollows and holes, use coarse, washed river sand, not topsoil.

• From September, start sowing seed to cover bare patches.

• Get the lawn mower ready, new blades if necessary, drain and refill with clean oil for four-stroke mowers and clean air filters.