Questions

What do I do about excessive Earthworms living in my lawn?

The worms are valuable to both the soil and turf. You should not try to kill them. Earthworms come to the surface to breed, eat, hatch and breathe when the soil is too wet. When they are on the surface they leave muddy castings. Here are some suggestions: Let the muddy castings dry, and brush them back into the turf. Do not keep your turf soggy. Maintain proper mowing and fertilisation. Collect grass clippings to minimise earthworm activity. Give the turf time to grow and mask the worm castings. Applying chemical products will discourage earthworm activity. We suggest you only use chemical products as a last resort. If you use a garden hose to wash the castings back into the turf, you may actually force even more worms to the surface because they cannot breathe in wet soil. Remember: Earthworms are a little messy, but they are beneficial for your turf and make great food for birds.

How do I improve the soil in my garden?

Clay or sandy soil can be improved by adding organic matter to improve the soil structure. Soil Improver can be applied anytime, but if it is to be dug in, care must be taken to avoid digging/forking wet soil, as it may damage the soil structure. Rates of application will vary, depending on the type of soil you have and the existing organic content etc. As a guide, typical application rates for digging into soils with low levels of organic matter, are as follows:Heavy clay soil - a layer, 75mm deep, should be incorporated to a depth of 200mmLight sandy soil - a layer, 30mm deep, should be incorporated to a depth of 200mm,Dig over the area to be improved, taking care not to disturb existing plants or their roots. Spread the soil improver over the area to the required depth and then work in using a fork.

My lawn has developed patches of white cotton-wool or cobweb-like mould?

At certain times of year, when the weather conditions are suitable, lawns and other turfed areas can develop patches of white mould, resulting in yellow-brown areas of grass. These white spores are caused by a common turf disease called Fusarium patch disease. Fusarium patch disease usually appears in autumn when the weather is relatively mild and humid, but can appear at other times of the year when conditions are suitable.A change in weather conditions, ie a sharp frost, will check the disease without the need to apply a fungicide. Fusarium does not kill the grass plants and brown patches will gradually fill in once the disease has ceased to be active, however signs of recovery may not be apparent until well into the growing.

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