How to feed new Wintergreen couch grass?

[Plugger69]

Hello,

We are new to new grass being laid and I hope that I can get some advice please.

We had new grass (Wintergreen Couch) laid at home exactly 4 weeks and 1 day ago now and it has gone from not that much to really great looking in that time. We watered it twice a day week 1-2 and every 2nd day week 3-4 as advised by the person who laid it for us.

We are now coming into week 5-6 strengthening phase as follows:

* Water every 2-3 days
* Mow regularly (Remove no more than one third of blade height)
* Apply a slow release fertilizer at week 6
* Watch for weeds, dry patches and signs of stress

I think we have the watering and mowing under control but how often do I need to fertilize the lawn as such. Is it a once off every so often over time?, every few days?, coupe of times per fortnight/month? etc...

Can we get a recommendation for a good/the best fertilizer to use as well. I did a quick google search and it seems that Scotts Lawn Builder 8kg All-Purpose slow release lawn fertilizer is a good one?

As per the photos, we have a few weeds as well here and there that seem to be coming through and I wonder what is the best way to deal with these?

As part of the ongoing care of our grass, it has been suggested Aerate and top-dress during cooler months for soil health and does aerate mean poking holes in the lawn with a pitch fork or something and what does it mean by top-dress and if this necessary still if our grass is looking good.

Kind regards

Chris

[JacobZ]

Hi @Plugger69,

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community, it is fantastic to have you with us.

You’re doing a great job establishing your new Wintergreen Couch lawn; it has thickened up nicely and is clearly getting the care it needs to thrive in those early stages of growth. Now that the turf has been down for about four weeks, the roots should have established reasonably well and the focus shifts to strengthening the roots and maintaining healthy, even growth through the warmer months.

At around week six, you can apply your first slow-release fertiliser. After that, fertilising every eight to ten weeks during the growing season, roughly from September to April, is ideal. Couch grass slows its growth in the cooler months, so feeding during winter isn’t necessary. Consistent feeding through the warmer part of the year will help the grass develop a dense root system and vibrant green colour without overloading it with nutrients.

A slow-release product such as Scotts Lawn Builder All Lawn Types Lawn Food or Lawn Solutions Australia Premium Lawn Fertiliser is a great choice, as it’s gentle on young lawns and easy to apply. Apply the recommended amount, spread evenly, and water it in well afterwards. Avoid fertilising before heavy rain, as this can wash away nutrients before they’re absorbed.

As for weeds, it’s best to hand-pull them until your lawn is at least three months old, since new turf can still be sensitive to herbicides. Once established, you can use a selective weed killer that’s safe for couch, such as Yates Bindii And Clover Lawn Weedkiller Concentrate, applied sparingly when the grass is actively growing.

Aerating and top-dressing are both good long-term maintenance practices, but not essential right away. Aerating means poking small holes into the soil with a garden fork or aerator to let air, water, and nutrients reach the roots. It’s best done in late spring or early summer when the grass is actively growing. Check out How To Aerate Your Lawn for some guidance.

Top-dressing involves spreading a thin layer of sandy loam over the surface to level the lawn or improve soil health. It is useful if you notice uneven areas, but not 100% necessary if the turf looks good. Check out How To Topdress Your Lawn for some further guidance.

Overall, fertilise every couple of months in the growing season, water deeply but less frequently as the roots strengthen, and keep up regular mowing to encourage dense growth. With that routine, your Wintergreen Couch will continue to thicken, stay lush, and hold its colour right through summer. As next year's growing months approach, consider aerating and top dressing if you'd like to, but they aren't necessarily essential if things haven't compacted or become uneven.

Let me know if you have any further questions.

Jacob