How to read your lawn out loud

This is a lawn.

You can read it if you know how. In social media debates, some people want to improve their lawns.

Why?

They think it is full of weeds*.

Some commentators, who really know all kinds of plants, say that there are too many weed species in there, such as hydrocottle.

Or they say it is oxalis.

Or clover.

Or buttercups…maybe ranculus? Fiddle dock?

Oh, and the methods to remove the “weeds” or “alien species”? The debates for the methods are rather varied:

“Use banvine.”

“No… triclopyr herbicide is the best.”

“But hey, what about the bees and the crucial role they play in our ecology? Use something biodegradable like apple cider vinegar.”

“But its hydrocottle guys, Yates or Tui have specific sprays for hydrocottle.” (Erm…what is hydrocottle?)

“I can see some paspalum growing, you need some Roundup…”

‘No no! Remove the weeds by hand, use a garden fork as some of them have a long tap root system.”

What did we think was the best answer on these debates?

The winner is:

“You would have a huge problem getting rid of it. Why bother? It’s green, lovely, your kids can play on it, and it balances out the lawn….”

Exactly!

The trouble required to remove the so-called “weeds” is sometimes not worth the expense. Some of them are naturally part of a mixed lawn. There are often a few varieties in domestic lawns and parks. In terms of “balance”, as the last remark mentioned, a variety of plants attracts a richer range of microbes and harmless insects to feed your entire garden. Further, some of the so-called weeds are effective groundcovers, keeping lawn moist and protecting the lawn if it is walked on a lot or scratched at by dogs etc.

So, we need to learn how to read your lawn and to realise that hey, maybe it is already great the way it is. Ask us. We are happy to save you money and hassle.

This is not to say we cannot improve the appearance of your lawn, and its health. There are sone genuine pests. But sometimes, some so-called “weeds” do need to be tackled. They have a function.

For anything to do with gardening, lawn creation, tree work, hedges and landscaping, contact or Whatsapp Rod on 02102834953. We service Auckland’s North Shore. For big jobs, anywhere in Auckland. www.impressionz.co.nz

*What are weeds? The best definition is a weed is something you do not want in your garden. Someone else might like that species, but not you. End of debate. (We didn’t invent this definition; it is in wide use.)