Commonly mistaken for weeds, seed heads can show up in your lawn a couple of times a year, usually in Spring and Summer. They look quite different depending on the lawn variety that you have. They are your lawns natural ‘flower’, growing from the leaves themselves. They can often give your lawn a purple or white colour which can ruin the aesthetics of your lovely green lawn.
Your lawn going to seed is normal at certain times of the year, especially during drastic changes in weather. Your lawn will usually stop going into seed once the weather has settled and the plant adjusted, usually within 2-3 weeks.
It’s also good to know that most lawn seed heads in newly developed lawns such as Sir Walter DNA Certified, TifTuf Bermuda and Eureka kikuyu are sterile, meaning they will not spread into other areas and grow from these seeds.
Here’s a picture of a TifTuf Bermuda lawn covered in seed heads. The seed heads from TifTuf and other couch varieties can give a purple hue to your lawn.
Although they are normal through some months of the year, if they are persistent and don’t go away, it could be a sign that your lawn is under stress from something, usually a lack of water or nutrient.
If you haven’t recently, fertilise your lawn with a good quality slow release granular fertiliser such as the Lawn Solutions Premium Lawn Food.
Make sure your irrigation system is working effectively and give an extra good soak if needed.
Seed heads can be commonly mistaken for weeds, especially as they look different for each variety.
Here are some pictures to help you identify seed heads in your lawn.
If you have a buffalo they are thick and resemble asparagus. Kikuyu has white thin wispy seed heads and couch (including TifTuf) have purple 3-pronged seed heads.
If you see these seed heads in your lawn, don’t worry! Regularly mowing your lawn will keep them at bay and a fertilise will help to stop them popping up any further.
As always, if you have any more questions, please get in touch with us here at The Turf Farm!
