The race is on for the crowning of Brisbane’s best lawn
The men behind two of Brisbane’s most enviable front yards have lifted the lid on how they keep their turf manicured to perfection, so much so that drivers stop to admire the “lawn porn”.
Moreton
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Mowing the lawn may be a chore for many but for some across Brisbane, it’s an art.
A select few have taken lawn care to a new level, with an undeniable passion as they strive to own Brisbane’s best lawn.
Narangba has two men are inching closer to the title, having been named in the top 10 for Centenary Group’s Best Lawn competition, with entries judged by experts in the lawnmowing industry.
Rodney Fordham at 10 Cootamundra Crescent won the inaugural year of the competition in 2020 for his immaculate front lawn but since then he has extended his upkeep to the backyard.
Caring for 450 sqm of Queensland blue couch grass, Mr Fordham, who mows and waters the lawn twice a week and sprays it five times a month, says his lawn is looking better than ever.
“Ever since I’ve moved out of home it’s been a hobby but not always to this extreme,” Mr Fordham said.
“It’s grown over the years and gone to another level.
“I have a lot of pride in making sure the house looks good.
“It is a lot effort but you get out what you put in.”
Matthew Kehl at 50 Palatial Crescent, Narangba mows and grooms the lawn two-three times a week, fertilises four times a year — twice in summer — and uses a plant growth regulator, to slow down the vertical growth of the grass.
Proclaiming himself as the “Lawn Lord” as a joke, the name has grown into a following of 1600 followers on his Instagram page.
Mr Kehl uses Tiftuf Hybrid Bermuda grass.
“I normally kick it off in Spring where I cut it right back to dirt, fertilise, top dress and the grass comes back,” Mr Kehl said.
“It was a joke to start with and I said to my wife I should make a lawn page.
“I called myself the Lawn Lord as a bit of a piss-take and I started getting a following.
“I then got approached by Lawn Pride, an Australian based company who supplied me with fertiliser and other products I need.
“I’ve always taken care of what I have and this being our first home, I was very excited.”
Mr Kehl uses Masport and Scott Bonnar cylinder mowers and Mr Fordham has rebuilt four Scott Bonnar mowers, one he gave to his father for his 60th birthday.
Mr Fordham has also built a sizeable Instagram following.
Mr Kehl retold the story of how his security cameras picked up a truck driver, who drove past the stellar lawn and then reversed back, parked out the front, climbed out of the cab and ran his hand over the lawn to inspect if it was real or fake.
“A lot of people appreciate it and enjoy going on their walks and looking at the lawn,” Mr Kehl said.
“It makes you feel good.”
Centenary Group CEO James McCullough said they started the competition in Spring of 2020 to take advantage of the boom in home improvements that came about during Covid-19 lockdown.
“Their pretty epic some of the lawns,” Mr McCullough said.
“The lawn quality is so high that it’s almost a detriment to the competition.
“A lot of people are scared to enter because they don’t think their lawn is up to scratch.
“A lot of Facebook groups have sprung up in the last three-five years and have brought people together who love lawns.”
Brisbane’s Best Lawn will be assessed against the following criteria:
– Visual appearance (colour, thickness and coverage, presence of weeds and/or pests)
– Maintenance Regime (schedule, equipment)
– Care Regime (fertilising schedule, weed and pest Management, mowing frequency)
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