Lawn has bare patches

So my Mum's lawn has patches of bare soil which I'd like to try fix up so I can learn something (I don't know much but am as willing to absorb as a sponge)

I've taken a couple pictures and would like advice on what I should do, as well as what type of grass she has.

It looks like there are 2 types of grass growing in the lawn, possibly couch and kikuyu? I don't know, should I aerate it and spread some seeds, and if so what type of seeds? Would appreciate any help or even a shove in the right direction!

I am surprised that no one answered you. if I were you I would post it in the Australia gardening. I am not familiar with your grass.

We have zoysia and love it.

Belle

Hi Vadla. Not familiar enough to give you a direct answer, but have found some info that may be of use to you. It would seem that you are correct, the fine blade grass looks to be Couch grass (Bermuda grass here) and the other looks like Pennisetum clandestinum (Kikuyu)

http://www.au.gardenweb.com/forums/load/ozgard/msg0220480011033.html

http://thelawnguide.com.au/

http://www.nativeseeds.com.au/Lawns.php

Thanks for the responses guys, even just knowing the type of grass is handy so I can seed some in the bare patches and avoid having 3 types of grass :P

Yeah I'll give it a go posting in Aus garden section too :)

You are most welcome. Hope the links help.

I would agree with doing a search on the Australian forum as there will be gardeners who have or are experiencing the same problems with there lawns, I like the others would be unable to help you out other than to say, give the grass a cut, collect all the cuttings as they should not be left on the top of the growing grass, you may be advised to use a weed/feed product on the lawn or there may be a problem with the soil IF this is a new lawn, but as said before, get advice form others who can help you best.

Good luck, Hope Mum will soon have a lwan to be proud of.
WeeNel.

This message was edited Feb 26, 2013 12:12 AM

I had the same problem living in Sydney Australia and discovered lawn beetle , so take your picture along to the local garden center and ask. Sometimes the soil is just sour in one spot and no matter what you do it won't respond . You could try digging out neatly the affected part and replacing with same turf ( once again take sample for identification ). I had a large area with same problem and ended up paving it all ,, but that's another story. Hope I've been of some use.Adrian
( http://gardenenchantment.com )

I think it’s better to consult with professional lawn care company. Because being professional they can easily understand and recognize the problem and corresponding to that they will provide you the solution. That’s what I personally think. For more information you may check this link:
http://www.greenlawnturf.com.au

Use the garden fork and stick it into the soil at the bare areas, you will need to use your feet to get the fork into the soil about 6 inches deep, as you push the fork in, you might not get down 6 inches, in that case, if you strike something hard, then the problems you have with the bare patches is large stones or bricks from builders, the grass aint getting it's roots down where there is un-cleared rubbish left under the soil at prep time, maybe whoever laid the lawn never prepared the area properly.

Best of luck. WeeNel.

I agree with the aerating using a fork if you have one. I woud also recommend a fish emulsion spray to add microbes to the soil and give the grass more to grab onto of soil. Microbes also help absorbsion of the water.