GILBA SOLUTIONS TURF BLOG
sports turf consultants
The Gilba Solutions Turf blog is written by our Head Agronomist Jerry Spencer. It covers a range of turfgrass science, and lawn care topics. As independent Sydney based turf agronomists and sports turf consultants we love the science behind turfgrass.
Turfgrass science.
Turfgrass Science is the study of grasses, soils, water and pests, in order to produce the best quality turf surfaces. The Gilba turf blog covers:
- Regulate 200 PGR for ornamentals and Poa management.
- Grass seed for oversowing couch.
- 2024 Research into Soil wetting agents.
- Insecticide resistance.
- How too Identify and control scarab beetles.
- Why all granular gypsum products don’t give the same results.
- The impact of Climate Change on weed control.
- Adding value to your home.
- Urease Inhibitors.
- Nitrification Inhibitors.
- How turf fungicides increase thatch.
- Potassium Fertilizers.
- How water quality impacts on ethephon plant growth regulator.
- Biostimulants. Part 2 of our blog on their use in turfgrass.
- The 2024 IGFH Turf Pesticides Manual.
- Slow release fertilizer options for turfgrass.
- What factors affect herbicide performance?
- How to use pre-emergent herbicides.
- Spray adjuvants. How these can save you money and give better results.
- Overseeding and transition of turfgrass.
- The role of light in getting the best possible turf growth.
- Turf pigments.
- How to manage turf in shade.
- Magnesium fertilizers.
- Lawn fungicides.
- Generic vs branded turf chemicals.
- The Science of soil aeration.
Weed profiles.
- Sowthistle.
- Horse Purslane.
- Bittercress.
- Painted Spurge.
- Stinkvine.
- Minnieroot.
- Amaranthus.
- Praxelis.
- Tridax Daisy.
- Blue Heliotrope.
- Oriental False Hawkweed.
- Pigweed.
- Mossman River Grass
- Petty Spurge.
- Swinecress
- Mouse Ear Chickweed
- Bitter Gourd
- Buchan Weed.
- Caltrop
- Capeweed
- Carrot Weed
- Catsear
- Cleavers.
- Cobblers Peg.
- Common Chickweed
- Creeping Charlie
- Creeping Mallow
- Creeping oxalis
- Cudweed
- Dandelion
- Dock.
- Fat Hen.
- Field Bindweed.
- Fleabane.
- Gazania
- Heal All
- Hydrocotyle.
Case Studies.
We also have a Case Study Section that may be of interest that covers topics such as dealing with blue green algae or when to aerate sports turf.
Recent Blogs.
When your turf soil test says ‘deficient’ but isn’t
When your soil test says ‘deficient’ but the grass is fine Jerry Spencer, Principal Agronomist July 2026 A soil test result is an index, not...
Soil Temperature is the Only Pre-Emergent Trigger That Matters
Soil Temperature is the Only Pre-Emergent Trigger That Matters Timing pre-emergent herbicide applications in Australia by calendar month is the most...
Winter Turf Liquids: Science vs Marketing Hype
We are in the thick of winter, so let's run through some of the marketing bollo*** that lands in your inbox every year as companies try to drum up...
Vertmax Turf Pigment at the FIFA World Cup 2026
A Major FIFA World Cup 2026 Stadium Sourced Vertmax Duo from Gilba Solutions — Here's the Science Behind the Decision One of the FIFA World Cup 2026...
Couch Cultivar Wear Performance
There is no shortage of claims about couch cultivar wear performance. “Dense growth habit.” “Rapid recovery.” “Ideal for high-traffic areas.” Every...
Aquatic Weed & Algae Control for Dams
Why Aquatic Weeds and Algae Take Over Dams Aquatic weeds and algae in irrigation dams are managed through an integrated program: identify the cause...
Traffic stress on sports turf
Traffic stress on sports turf is not one problem but three: wear, compaction, and soil displacement. Wear is the immediate injury to the plant from...
Sodium in Turf Soils
Sodium damage in turf soils takes two distinct forms: direct ion toxicity to the plant, and structural dispersion of the soil itself. The two...
Cation Exchange Capacity in Turf Soils
Cation exchange capacity (CEC) measures how many positively-charged nutrient ions a soil can hold on its negatively-charged surfaces. It is reported...
MLSN Interpretation for Australian Turf
MLSN interpretation is a method for reading turf soil test results against minimum thresholds rather than ideal ratios. Developed in 2012 by Micah...
Principal agronomist, Gilba Solutions Pty Ltd
BSc Hons Soil Science (Newcastle). Former STRI agronomist. Author of Nutrition of Sports Turf in Australia (CSIRO/Landlinks Press). 35+ years advising on sports turf, golf and stadia across Australia, NZ, UK and Europe.