Bindii Weed Control in Your Lawn & Garden

Bindii - also called Jo-Jo Weed or Onehunga - is a low-growing, spreading weed. Fern-like leaves (similar to carrot leaves) are attached to stems which grow from the centre in a rosette form. Plants generally grow 4 cm in diameter and are covered in fine hairs. Flowers are very small (3 mm) and are a greenish-yellow. Seeds are light-brown, flattened and winged seeds with one especially long spine on the end - capable of piercing the skin.

Bindii flowers are produced in autumn and winter and mature into seeds in spring and summer. Seeds drop from the plant in mid-summer and are further spread by foot traffic or on the fur of animals.

Bindii Weeds can be brought in on clothing, shoes, on animals including pets, vehicles and tools such as lawn mowers. They can also be carried and brought in by water.

To selectively kill Bindii weed, and various other broadleaf weeds in most common lawns - including Buffalo, Kikuyu and Couch - spray the entire lawn with Yates Buffalo PRO Weed Killer Concentrate. For the added benefit of feeding the lawn, instead apply Yates BufaloPRO Weed 'N' Feed Hose-On. Please read all product label instructions prior to every use.

As seeds are produced in spring and summer, the best time for control is late autumn, winter and early spring, well before they have set seed.

Kill Bindii weeds as soon as you notice them, and control them before they set seed.

Apply an 8 cm layer of organic mulch, such as sugarcane or pine bark mulch. This will not only suppress weeds but will also break down, then go into and improve the soil.

When out and about, if you notice Bindii seeds on your shoes, clothes, pet, vehicle or tools, pick them off as best you can and place them in the rubbish bin.

Bindii weeds grow really well in compacted soils. Aerate the soil in the lawn with a garden fork for small areas, and a soil corer for medium and large areas. Then topdress with a sandy mix (80 % sand: 20 % loamy mix). Topdressing can be done a few times a year, depending on how compacted the soil is, and is best applied during the warmer months.

For better growth and soil structure, quality and health, apply an organic based fertiliser. For lawns, use Yates Dynamic Lifter Organic Lawn Food. For gardens, use Yates Dynamic Lifter Soil Improver & Plant Fertiliser. Apply every season throughout the year.

For lawns that are particularly weed infested, if the lawn is more than a quarter covered in weeds, it might be worth considering installing a new lawn.

Mow the lawn at a height of 8 cm, especially during summer. This will help the lawn out-compete Bindiis and other weeds.