How do I get rid of the seeded grass to allow the good grass to grow? I used clover & bindi spray which got rid of a lot of other weeds, but it didn't kill the seeded grass.
Hello @liz11
It looks like you’ve got some seeded grass or grassy weeds popping up in your lawn, even after using your clover and bindi spray. That’s actually pretty common, those sprays are designed for broadleaf weeds, so they don’t affect grasses like winter grass, paspalum, or ryegrass.
The first step is to try and identify what type of unwanted grass you’re dealing with. Winter grass, for example, tends to be light green with fine leaves and small seed heads close to the ground, while paspalum and summer grass are coarser and grow in clumps with sticky seed heads. Annual ryegrass usually looks upright with tall seed stalks.
If you’re not quite sure, it can really help to take a close-up photo and show it to a plant expert at your local nursery or Bunnings Garden centre. They can easily confirm what it is and help you pick the right treatment.
Once you know what you’re working with, the next step is to use a selective herbicide that targets grassy weeds but won’t harm your good lawn. Broadleaf weed sprays won’t do the job here, so you’ll need something that specifically mentions grassy weeds on the label. Products like David Grays 500 mL “Crab Grass & Clover Killer Selective Herbicide”. It’s designed to tackle tougher grassy weeds like paspalum, nut-grass and summer/crab grass in lawns, as well as broadleaf weeds, while Amgrow Winter Grass Killer is another option for certain turf types. If you’re dealing with paspalum or summer grass, a product like Yates or Amgrow Paspalum, Nutgrass & Clover Weed Killer can be more effective.
Just make sure to double-check that the product is safe for your type of lawn, whether it’s buffalo, couch, or kikuyu. It’s best to spray when the weeds are actively growing, and avoid mowing a few days before and after to give the product time to work properly.
After treating the weeds, focus on helping your good grass bounce back. Mow regularly but try not to scalp the lawn, as that can stress it out. About a week or two after spraying, give it a feed with a slow-release fertiliser to promote strong, healthy growth. Deep watering once or twice a week (rather than frequent light watering) will help your grass develop deeper roots, making it more resilient. If there are any thin patches, you can overseed or repair them once the weeds are gone, especially during spring or autumn when grass grows best.
To keep the problem from coming back, it’s a good idea to use a pre-emergent herbicide in autumn and spring. These stop weed seeds from germinating before they even appear. Products like Oxafert or Scotts Lawn Builder with Weed Preventer work well for most lawns and can make a big difference over time.
If you need further assistance, please let us know.
Eric
