Solving Weed Problems

Broadleaf Weeds

Broadleaf weeds can sneak in under the radar. They start off small and inconspicuous, hiding in amongst grass blades. As lawn growth starts to slow in late autumn, weed growth can really take off: all of a sudden they seem to appear from nowhere! If broadleaf lawn weeds like clover, thistles, capeweed and dandelions aren't controlled, they can outcompete your grass and become really noticeable in spring.

It doesn't need to be complicated or time consuming to create a weed-free lawn, it's easy to control them with a selective herbicide (this type of weedkiller removes weedy invaders, but doesn't harm lawn grass). Yates Turfix Lawn Weed Spray is our go-to choice to cull these weeds. Yates Turfix is an ideal choice for common NZ grass types, like fine fescue, tall fescue, browntop and ryegrass.

The easiest solution to control common broadleaf weeds (before they begin to dominate) is Yates Weed n Feed Double Action. Clicking it into the hose and spraying it on only takes minutes. Yates Weed’n’Feed is also boosted with nitrogen and iron, key lawn nutrients that encourage a rich, deep green lawn.

If you only have a small patch of weeds, or a lawn where using a hose-on applicator isn't practical, Yates Weed'n'Feed Granular is a great option. Apply the granules dry, onto moist grass and weeds, and leave it for 2 days before watering it in thoroughly. The lawn will turn black, but will quickly recover to look even better!

Hydrocotyle

This opportunistic NZ native can creep into your lawn over winter and rapidly expands as soon as the warmer spring weather arrives. If your lawn soil doesn’t drain well and stays wet though winter, or it tends to be acidic, it'll be a very attractive environment for hydrocotyle. If you didn’t get on to tidying up the lawn last autumn, it’ll be open season! This is one of the reasons it’s important to fertilise and repair any patches from summer wear and tear, during autumn.

Getting rid of hydrocotyle is quite a challenge, because it can tolerate many of the traditional selective herbicides used on the lawn. The best product for the job is Yates Hydrocotyle Killer concentrate as the active ingredient, triclopyr, is very effective against hydrocotyle species (as well as creeping oxalis, another tricky weed to get rid of). For long term control of hydrocotyle it’s good practice to apply some Yates Thrive Natural Garden Lime, aerate the lawn at least once a year and improve the drainage wherever possible.

Moss

Moss invades your lawn over winter while the wetter conditions suit it best. Just like hydrocotyle, moss will take advantage if you haven't kept up your lawn care routine through the winter. Then if you leave the moss to burn off naturally over summer, the gaps generally fill in with more weeds. A well-fed healthy lawn in Autumn is your best defence against moss. To control moss in lawns, use Yates Surrender concentrate. It's easy to apply and won’t leave unsightly brown stains on concrete or tiles. It's actually able to be used on all sorts of hard surfaces, not just your lawn! If you have some left over from the lawn, use it to clean up moss or slippery algae on the paths or patio.

Alternatively (if you need to be careful around other plants), Yates Weed'n'Feed Mosskiller Fertiliser is a handy granular format that gives you a lot of control over where it's applied. This concentrated blend of iron and nitrogen quickly burns off mossy patches in the lawn. After two weeks, the dead moss can be raked away. The rich nitrogen boost in Yates Weed'n'Feed Mosskiller Fertiliser will also help feed the lawn and encourage growth. A strong, healthy lawn is better able to resist moss infestations. To reduce the chances of moss returning, aerate the lawn area with a garden fork.

Onehunga Weed

Kids and pets will appreciate a summer without prickly feet! If you had prickles in your lawn this summer, make sure you get Onehunga weed under control before it has a chance to flower and set seed in early spring...basically, you need to kill it before it flowers to stop the prickles from forming. An application of our Yates Prickle Weedkiller any time before early spring will prevent prickles for next summer - giving it an extra shot in autumn while the lawn soil is still warm will boost your results of your spring application.

If you have nightmare weeds like nutgrass/sedge appearing in your lawn, get out the big gun; use Zero Tough Heavy Duty Weedkiller as a spot spray. It contains a water soluble, blue highlighter so you can see exactly where you've sprayed; after application the blue highlighter will vanish with exposure to sunlight.