Top dressing Elfin Tall Fescue (ETF)
I completed a full lawn renovation sowing Elfin Tall Fescue back in April and although I was very happy with the result there were a few broadleaf weeds, Poa and some uneven spots that I wanted to deal to.
For those of you interested, I thought I’d share my process in detail just to give you an idea of what’s involved in topdressing and levelling a lawn.
Preparation and timing are key! Before you even start the lawn renovation you want to deal to any existing broadleaf and grass weeds and put down any other product that will support the renovation. I basically started this process a month and a half out from lawn renovation day.
Step by step process:
PREPERATION:
1. Sprayed NZLA ETHO followed by approximately 5mm of irrigation to water it into the soil profile. This is to treat dormant Poa seeds and create a barrier in the soil.
2. Sprayed Kiwicare LawnPro Turfclean Ultra to treat the broadleaf weeds.
3. Two weeks after the initial NZLA ETHO application I did a second application but this time leaving it to dry on the leaf. This is to treat the Poa that’s growing above ground. I also used NZLA INDICATE to help ensure I was achieving a nice even application. Tip: I find you need to use more than the prescribed 8ml/L application rate to get good visibility. Also, don’t freak out if you get it on your paths or driveway. It does hang around for up to a week but eventually fades.
4. Spread NZLA All Seasons N+ granular fertiliser to give the lawn a boost pre-lawn renovation.
5. Sprayed NZLA WETTER as the soil was looking a little hydrophobic and it was due an application.
6. A week out from lawn renovation day I sprayed NZLA PGR to slow down the growth rate of the existing turf. This is to allow time for the new seed to grow and establish without being overshadowed by the existing turf or needing a mow before the new seedlings have established sufficiently for mowing.
7. Sprayed NZLA GRUB+ to treat for African Black Beetle as the lawn was due it’s 6 monthly application.
TOP DRESSING (LIGHT RENOVATION):
DAY 1
1. Mowed the lawn with a petrol lawn mower dropping the height of cut down each pass. Ideally, you’d do this over a week pre- lawn renovation day but I forgot -whoops!
2. Scalped the lawn with the petrol lawn mower on the lowest cut height in multiple directions.
3. Did some light manual scarifying with a scarifier rake.
4. Core aerated manually using a 3-prong lawn aerator (Cyclone branded with modified tines).
5. Raked up the cores.
6. Mowed again on lowest cut height as raking up the cores tends to ‘preen’ the existing turf so there’s a few grass blades standing up.
7. Threw 1 cubic metre of bricklayer’s sand over the lawn (120 m2).
DAY 2
8. Spread NZLA Elfin Tall Fescue seed with a Scotts Drop Spreader in east to west and then north to south directions.
9. Levelled the lawn area with a topsoil spreader. Tip: look for green grass areas -this usually indicates a low area and add extra sand in these areas.
10. Spread NZLA Starter granular fertiliser with the drop spreader.
11. Gave the entire soil area a final light raking to ensure the seed is covered.
12. Used a water-filled lawn roller to press the seed into place to ensure good seed to soil contact.
13. Sprayed NZLA HUMIC+, ROOT HEALTH and a low rate of CHARGER.
14. WATER, WATER, WATER!
I set the irrigation controller via the Hydrawise app to water six times per day during daylight hours for 15 minutes each zone to keep the soil moist. Tip: 15 minutes might be too long if you’ve top dressed with soil, but sand dries out a lot faster, so the extra irrigation keeps it from drying out too much between waterings.
Location: Papamoa Beach.
