r/GardeningAustralia • u/Solid_Produce6338 • 15h ago
New lawn brown leaves in centre 🙉 Send help
Hello, hoping for some advice on new lawn.
We laid new buffalo yesterday in Perth
We did the following prep - 8cm of soil from a reputable landscaping centre - applied slow release fertilizer that was advised by supplier of the turf - laid new turf on arrival - watered it 3 times yesterday starting at 11am - rolled it 3 times with a water roller
This morning we noticed brown spots have formed, it isn't just the edges but also areas in the centre.
We are currently planning to water 4 times a day for 15 minutes. Presume because it's summer in Perth and our soil below the landscapers is basically sand, over watering would be difficult.
Any idea what this is? Thanks for any help, Im definately prone to micromanaging things :/
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u/channelgary 14h ago
Looks fine some of the turf bits are going to die off. It will take some time to really settle in and start running
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u/Popular_Speed5838 11h ago edited 11h ago
All my dead spots get love, they turn into lush spots with a touch of something like blood n bone watered in with seaweed extract in a watering can. I’ve made our yard 75% nice by just targeting the arid areas and the edges of the kikuyu patches. Next year, the third year here from shoulder height weeds, I should have fence to house grass coverage.
This is its current state, not counting down the side.
Edit: I deep water, I’d rather water 45 minutes every few days than 15 minutes Quattro daily.
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u/Solid_Produce6338 11h ago
The four times is because it was only laid yesterday, so the roots are essentially non-existent beyond what was delivered.
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u/Popular_Speed5838 11h ago
Fair enough but I’d be giving them damp under soil for them to grow towards. I’m not confident you’d get that with 15 minute watering.
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u/Solid_Produce6338 11h ago
Yea fair enough, I'll need to train those roots down!
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u/Popular_Speed5838 11h ago edited 11h ago
We had a week of close to 40c just finished so each evening I was heavily watering the vulnerable spots. A lot of it comes down to being intuitive, that’s just a matter of watching a weather app and getting the grass prepared in the days leading up to a heatwave or wet spell. (Edit: fertiliser is best spread before rain).
I’d be overwatering in Perth with new turf (that rhymes) unless wet weather was forecast.
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u/notathrowaway0109 14h ago
But of top soil to fill the gaps won’t hurt too (yes I know it’s right but helps it grow and lock into next one)
Apart from that patience is your friend, keep an eye on it, as it’s fresh and lush at the moment keep an eye out for army worms comming in looking for a meal (happened to me in Perth too but caught early)
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u/Solid_Produce6338 13h ago
Thanks will do! The dark brown was us filling the bigger gaps. I think I'm not being patient enough. Thankfully the next few days aren't as hot. Going to see how it plays out!
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u/OGjack3d 15h ago
Just give it time, dont over water, but make sure it stays nice and moist for the next 14 or so days.
It will be fine, its a living organism that you just laid out on soil it will be fine just give it afew weeks/ month to allow its roots to pentrate the dirt underneath. Give it love and and affection, tell it you love it every morning when you walk out there with your morning coffee before work, and soon it will prosper and grow into a beautiful young lawn that one day you will be proud to call yours. Good luck and godspeed.