Its time to spray bindii - Jun 16, 2012
Your lawn may be sleeping but broad leaf weeds like clover and bindii are thriving. Unfortunately most people wait until the bindii has already produced the prickly seeds before they decide to spray. This is bad news for your pets and children because they will be doing "The Bindii Ballet" all summer long.
There are numerous hose on bottles available at the big sheds that claim to kill bindii but I have found these products to be almost useless and the spray blows back over your hands and face. These chemicals are dangerous so how can this be safe?
The best applicator is one of those pump action, 5 litre bottles with the long handled sprayer and adjustable nozzle. The long handle keeps the spray away from your face. Always wear long pants and shoes.
The best bindii killer is a product called "Richgro Bindii Killer for Buffalo Lawns". This can be used on all types of lawns including Couch, Kikuyu and Buffalo. Mix 30ml in 5 litres of water over 50m2. Add a squirt of dish washing liquid in with the spray and it will stick to the weeds leaves even better.
Do not mow your lawn for 7 days before or after spraying. Do not apply in windy conditions or if rain is expected within 24 hours. Keep pets and children off the lawn until the spray has dried.
To control tough weeds like clover, spray again within 10 days for best results.
Tim Pickles is a horticulturist and director of Tim's Garden Centre 2 Queen St Campbelltown 46267022.