Hydroseeding in Ferntree Gully

Foothill blocks under tall gums

Ferntree Gully sits at the foot of the Dandenong Ranges, with steep streets, tall eucalypts and bush close by.

Many yards slope, and many sit beneath big trees that shade the ground and drink from it. Lawns thin out and bare patches erode after heavy rain.

What we recommend for Ferntree Gully yards

• Tackifier and a heavier mulch rate on sloping ground
• Extra topsoil under the tree canopy
• Deep-rooting, shade-tolerant blends
• Autumn spraying, when rain helps young grass compete

Competing with gum tree roots

Big eucalypts take a lot of water from the top layer of soil, which leaves young grass thirsty. We add a little extra topsoil under the canopy, choose deep-rooting, shade-tolerant grasses and plan longer, less frequent watering once the lawn is up. Leaf and bark litter should be raked off regularly in the first month.