Care of perennial ryegrass home lawns in Auckland
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Perennial Rye grass (Lolium perenne) (Deutsches
Weidelgras) is a magnificent grass that can produce the most desireable
lawn imaginable if it is cared for correctly, however it is a high production
grass, which needs expert care to keep it at its best. Being a high production
grass perennial rye needs high inputs of water and nutrients so as to be
able to maintain a high growth rate, this results in the need to be cut frequently.
If one does not follow the basic rules of ryegrass culture and care then
one is going to become very disappointed, one is not going to be able to successfully
grow this specie of grass in Auckland.
Mowing
The poor cultural practices of mowing infrequently, removing more than
one third of the leaf blade at one time, mowing too low and scalping are
the single biggest factors in destroying a high quality healthy ryegrass
lawn.
Anyone can push a lawn mower, only a suitably trained and qualified
lawn care expert can mow your lawn correctly. The vast majority of lawns
that are in a poor condition are so as a direct result of being mowed incorrectly.
The golden rule when it comes to mowing a rye grass lawn is to mow frequently
and not too low. Never ever scalp a ryegrass lawn.
As a rule of thumb do not remove more the one third of the length of
the grass leaf blade at any one mowing.
Top quality rye grass turf such as found on top class, golf courses,
rugby and soccer fields etc are usually cut on a daily basis during the
peak growing period and two to three times a week during the off peak season.
For the best results use a real mower. Always keep the blades sharp
in particular where a rotary mower is used.
Never cut a premium quality lawn with a mower that has been used on
a sub standard lawn in particular one infested with weeds without first
thoroughly washing and cleaning the underside and blades of the mower to
remove weed seeds and fungus spoors. Never use an edge cutter to cut your
lawn, edge cutters are made for edging not for mowing.
Fertilising
Fertilise your lawn applying small quantities of fertiliser frequently,
the use of a slow release fertiliser is preferable.
Liming
To ensure that the pH range of the soil stays at the optimum for healthy
ryegrass growth the lawn will need an application of lime once a year the
amount depending on the conditions. A simple soil pH test will give an indication
as to when and how much needs to be applied.
Watering
Rye grass does not like to be dry, keep it well irrigated taking into
account that it also does not want to be drowned.
Scarifying and aeration
From time to time your ryegrass lawn is going to need scarifying and
aerating. Once per year should be sufficient for a domestic lawn.
Top dressing
To keep the lawn level and the surface even an annual top dressing and
levelling needs to be carried out in the spring. A compost sand mix is the
ideal top dressing material
Over seeding
It is essential to overseed your lawn at least twice a year to keep
it in tip top condition. Overseed once in spring and again in autumn. Grass
plants just as all other living organisms age and with aging comes a reduction
in vigour. In addition some plants become infected with disease, or are
affected by various environmental stresses and die. If these plants are not
replace the lawn in time becomes sparse, looks tired an open invitation for
weeds.
Fungal diseases
In the hot humid summer months rye grass is often the victim of various
fungal attacks,
Red Thread (Laetisaria fuciformis)
If moist grass is viewed closely, the pinkish gelatinous growth of the
fungi and tiny cotton wool like tufts of spores may be seen. In drier conditions,
tiny red threads of the red thread fungus may be observed extending from
the leaf tips. The grass itself may show irregular patches of dead and dying
leaves, giving the lawn a ragged appearance.
The disease is restricted to the leaves and is not usually very destructive.
Red thread is spread by water, feet and mowing. Infections are most
common on slow-growing grass stressed by compaction, drought, low temperatures
or inadequate fertility.
Cultural Management: It is possible to prevent or reduce red thread
through good lawn care practices. Soil pH should be maintained at 6.5-7.0.
This disease is most common in nitrogen-deficient turf.
Chemical Management: Fungicides are not recommended except in extreme
cases.
Rust(Puccinia spp.)
There are many different rust fungi that can infect lawn grasses, but
they all have in common the production of reddish, yellowish or orange
spores that give "rusts" their name. There is usually not enough time for
spores to be produced on lawns that are mowed regularly, so epidemics are
not usually severe.
Cultural Management: The most important way to avoid rust infection
on lawns is to keep the turfgrass growing vigorously so that it will be
mowed before spores can be produced.
Chemical Management: Fungicides are not recommended for rust diseases
on lawns except in extreme cases.
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