Keep it Green

Revive a dry lawn and keep it going without blasting water restrictions.

From Handyman Magazine

The drought has affected many parts of daily life, but first in line for water restrictions has been private gardens. And it’s lawns that have been hit hardest.

While a few people can still look smugly at their patch of green – such as residents in restriction-free Hobart and Darwin – most feel a pang of guilt as they walk across their yellow, dry lawn to give their few plants a drink from a watering can.

Sprinklers are banned in five capital cities – Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra and Adelaide. In parts of Victoria, South Australia and the ACT, watering a lawn is not allowed at any time.

New lawns don’t get treated much better. In some areas, such as parts of South Australia, a permit is required before you can plant turf or seed. There’s no exception in parts north-west of Melbourne and, old or new lawn, you just can’t water it.

BREAKING THE BAN
Don’t think you won’t get caught. In the Sydney area, covering 4.2 million residents, 5881 have been fined for breaching water restrictions since they came into force in October 2003.

That said, those breaking the law are in the minority. From the same date, Sydneysiders have cut their water consumption by 304 billion litres. That’s a reduction of 13.4%.

This doesn’t mean most water boards aren’t sympathetic. There are rebates on water-saving devices, such as rainwater tanks, and fact sheets on getting the most out of recycled or grey water. Contact the local water board for information on specific restrictions in your area.

STARTING FROM SCRATCH
PREPARE - soil by testing the pH and nutrient levels. Amend with compost and add nutrients. Improve drainage.

REMOVE - any large stones and weeds. Break down lumps of earth with a rake and level the surface.

DON’T - fertilise before laying turf or seed. Feed with an organic fertiliser and wetting agents six to eight weeks after the lawn is established.

CHOOSE - the right type of grass. In cold areas, grasses that become green in spring and turn brown in winter are best. In mild-winter areas, choose warm-season grasses that turn brown at first frost and turn green in spring.

BLEND - seeds if the garden has a mix of sun and shade. If planting a new lawn in partial to full shade, choose a mix with species that tolerate shade.

MOW - at a height suited to the grass type. Mow higher in summer when grass is more likely to suffer from heat.