There’s nothing worse than stepping onto your lawn barefoot, only to discover your backyard has become a giant game of The Floor Is Lava. Here’s how to tackle those pesky bindii before summer gets underway.
Why Is Bindii Taking Over Our Lawns?
As the weather warms up, many Aussies are looking forward to backyard barbecues, kids running around and relaxing on the grass.
But there’s one unwanted guest that can ruin the fun pretty quickly: bindii.
Those tiny, prickly seed heads can turn a perfectly good lawn into a barefoot nightmare. They’re also a pain for pets, whose paws can cop a nasty surprise.
The tricky part? Bindii often grows unnoticed during the cooler months, with its low-growing, fern-like leaves hiding among the grass. By the time those sharp prickles appear in spring and summer, the damage is mostly already done.
How To Get Rid Of Backyard Bindii
The secret to winning the battle against bindii is getting in early.
1. Pull out small patches. If you’ve only got a few plants, hand-weeding can help. Wear gardening gloves and remove the whole plant before it produces more seeds.
2. Choose the right weed killer. Selective lawn weed killers can target bindii without killing your grass, but make sure the product is suitable for your lawn variety. Always follow the label instructions and keep kids and pets away as directed.
3. Give your grass some love. A thick, healthy lawn makes it harder for weeds to establish. Keep your grass at the recommended mowing height and repair bare patches where bindii can take hold.
4. Plan ahead for next year. Autumn and winter are generally the best times to tackle young bindii before those painful seed heads develop. Waiting until summer means you’re playing catch-up.
Can You Get Rid Of The Prickles Already On Your Lawn?
Unfortunately, killing the plant won’t magically make existing prickly seed heads disappear.
If your lawn is already full of them, you’ll need to remove as many as possible and prevent the remaining seeds from spreading. A thorough lawn clean-up can help, but it may take time to get your backyard back to barefoot-friendly condition.
The bottom line? A little lawn maintenance now and some early weed control next season could save you plenty of painful surprises.
Because summer should be about cold drinks, backyard cricket and doing absolutely nothing… not hopping around the lawn like you’ve stepped on LEGO.
