G’day, Nikolai here from The Lawn Firm. There’s nothing worse than walking barefoot on the lawn and getting hit with that sharp little sting… yep, that’s Bindii. This weed is one of the most annoying and painful problems Canberra lawns can face, especially during the warmer months. But the good news is, with the right knowledge and timing, you can keep Bindii under control.

What is Bindii?

Bindii (also known as Jo-Jo or Onehunga) is a low-growing, broadleaf weed that produces painful, spiky seed heads in late spring and early summer. It’s most active during the cooler months, but you don’t usually notice it until it’s too late and the spiky seeds have set in.

How to Identify Bindii

Bindii starts off as a small, flat weed with bright green leaves divided into narrow segments. It sits low in the lawn, making it hard to spot until it matures and those nasty seeds show up.

Key signs include:

Flat, parsley-like leaf clusters
Spiky seed heads forming in late spring
Patchy thinning around the weed due to competition with grass

When to Act on Bindii

Timing is everything. The best time to tackle Bindii is in winter or early spring, before it starts producing seed. Once the seeds harden, you’re dealing with the symptoms, not the problem.

We target Bindii early in our seasonal programs so our clients can enjoy their lawns through summer without the pain.

Preventing and Managing Bindii

Keep your lawn healthy: A dense, healthy lawn is your best defence. Regular mowing, watering, and fertilising keep Bindii from taking hold.
Spot-treat small infestations: Pulling weeds or applying targeted treatments in isolated areas can work if caught early.
Apply broadleaf weed control: This is where our services come in. We apply seasonally timed treatments to stop Bindii before it becomes a problem.

How The Lawn Firm Can Help

Bindii is sneaky, but we’re on top of it. At The Lawn Firm, we include Bindii prevention as part of our broader weed control strategy for Canberra lawns. We know when it germinates, how it spreads, and how to get rid of it without harming your grass.

By acting early and applying the right treatment at the right time, we help you avoid painful summers and keep your lawn soft underfoot.