The one thing to do now to stop weeds on your lawn in summer

As soon as sunnier, warmer weather hits after winter we all want to rush outside bare foot and enjoy the delights of a lush green lawn.
But nothing destroys that gorgeous spring moment quite like stepping on bindiis or seeing that one ugly weed pop up in the middle of smooth green turf.
Weeds are one of the biggest frustrations Aussies have with their lawns with 46 per cent of people naming it their top lawn gripe, according to findings from Scotts’ Aussie Backyard Study.
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However the secret to preventing weeds is as simple as keeping up with lawn maintenance, Scotts technical director Gen Bailey tells 9honey Living.
“The easiest way to tackle weeds is to keep your lawn in good condition by fertilising, mowing regular during the growing season and watering  adequately. If you do spot a few, control them early buy either pulling out by hand or using a selective herbicide,” she tells 9honey Living.
“If your lawn is healthy and thick, it’s less susceptible to weeds.”
Spring is the perfect time to get stuck into lawn care ahead of summer, when you’ll be spending more time outdoors and will want the lawn looking good for entertaining guests.
Along with a regular mow, fertilising the lawn is important this time of year as the warmer weather means the grass will be growing more so will need extra nutrients.
“Feed it with a slow-release granular fertiliser as soon as the season breaks. Scotts Lawn Builder is great for this time of year. It’s high in nitrogen and iron to kick start  growth, greening and help fill in patches. Nutrients are released over three months, so you can apply it less often and still get lush growth throughout the season,” Bailey says.
Spring is also a good time to check your sprinklers are reaching all areas of the lawn to prevent any water-related problems impacting your lawn in summer.
When you do turn those sprinklers on, make sure it’s the morning and not the evening as Bailey says that’s one of the top three lawn care mistakes people commonly make.
“This should be avoided as watering too late in the day means a damp lawn overnight, which can lead to disease. Water your lawn in the morning so it can use that water to photosynthesis during the day,” she explains.
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The other most common lawn care mistakes are under/over fertilising and letting weeds get out of control.
To choose the right fertiliser Bailey recommends reading and following the label instructions for application details, including how often to apply.
As for weeds, the advice is to stay on top of them by removing them as you see them.
“A few weeds are manageable, an infestation is a  headache. Don’t wait too long to control them, ‘spring’ into action,” she says. 
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With all that sorted sooner rather than later you’ll find yourself enjoying spending lots of time on a lush, thick green lawn just like Bailey plans to do.
“I love a great backyard lawn. It sets the scene for many Grand Final day traditions with friends and family,” she says.
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