Posted 8 November 2020 by AusGAP Certified

What are these things in my lawn?

What are these things in my lawn?

Zoysia Seed Head

Don’t despair, you don’t have a problem, it just your lawn seeding.

Seed heads typically grow from the stem of the turf leaf and the colour can range from purple to brown to white.

Can seed heads be a problem?

Kikuyu Seed Head

 

Not really, all plants will flower at least once a year and turf varieties are no different.

During Spring, seed head can emerge from the lawn as they can be part of its natural survival and a reproductive mechanism which is in response to a change of season.

It is important to note that most common lawn types in Australia produce a sterile seed head, meaning they cannot be grown from the seed they produce and can only be grown via turf rolls/slabs, vegetative sprigs or runners.

Seed heads can also be a result of turfgrass stress, especially if it is not within the Spring to early summer season.

How to get rid of seed heads

Bermundagrass/Couch Seed Head

In most cases the seeding process of your lawn turf should stop after 2-3 weeks. In the case that the seed heads continue, it may be that your lawn is under stress.

This could be from any number of things such as:

  • Lack of water
  • Nutrient deficiency

If you suspect that this may be the case, then follow these steps:

  1. Mowing – Mow (using sharp blades) the tops of your lawn often to remove the seed heads.
  2. Watering – It’s important your lawn receives an adequate amount of water, a thorough watering to give the lawn profile adequate soil moisture. If you have a watering system check that it is working adequately.
  3. Fertilising – Fertilise your turfgrass with a quality balanced N:P:K product to encourage the lawn to grow out of the seed head production stage rapidly. 
  4. Spring Renovation – This can be as simple as a light top dress to a full renovation (including aeration, scarification, topdressing, etc.).

If any of these don’t work, its advisable to contact your local turf specialist to assist you in how to rectify your issue.

Buffalo Seed Head
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