Which Variety Is Right For You

Quality natural turf is an integral part of enhancing the overall appeal of landscaping works, from domestic through to large, open-space commercial projects.

There are many varieties of turf available on the Australian market at any one time, but when choosing the one that’s right for a particular situation, a range of factors should be considered.

The levels of wear and usage, climate, and appearance all need to be examined for the particular site that is being prepared for turfing.

Fit for purpose:

• Is the lawn area for decorative purposes or have a more functional requirement?
• Is it an active, open-space area that will receive high - or low usage?
• Are there shade issues that should be taken into consideration?

The differences:

• There are some specific varieties however, which are very shade tolerant.
• All grasses need light and don’t do well under trees.
• All varieties need good drainage to thrive. If there are potential drainage problems then works should be carried out prior to topsoil and turf installation for best results.
• Couch grasses make fine attractive lawns, but require a higher level of fertiliser and maintenance than other grasses to keep them attractive.
• Some grass varieties also put up many more seed heads than others and require more frequent mowing to keep them under control.
• Lawn choice is usually a combination of end-use requirements as well as climatic and site-specific factors.

Consider local conditions:

Finding the best lawn for a situation can mean making trade-offs between functionality, appearance and performance.

Your particular climate and conditions may require assessment for soils, shade, or other micro-climate considerations.

Leading Varieties:

Our Sir Walter Buffalo and Kikuyu are stand-out varieties that all conform to strict breeding and production protocols.

Warm Season / Cool Season

Lawn grasses can be simply divided into two separate categories; Cool Season and Warm Season Grasses.

As their names suggest, they are both best-suited to differing climatic regions. Also known as C3 (Cool Season) and C4 (Warm Season) grasses, they developed over the millennia to have different growth habits and have adapted to their respective climate zones.

The two groups have different developmental requirements, responding differently to temperature, moisture and light.

Warm season grasses require higher temperatures and light with lower requirements for moisture. For cool season grasses, it’s the opposite.

Cool Season grasses generally generate from seed only. Each seed will sprout a single shoot and as the shoot matures, it hardens and sends out new shoots from its sides.

As this process continues, the original shoot is now a single plant containing many shoots, thickening and growing in a process called tillering.

Cool season grasses have differing strengths and weaknesses and because of their plant structure, the seeds of differing varieties are often mixed together to achieve the benefits of each variety and compensate for the weakness of the other.

Because the majority have no runners, these grasses do not invade garden pathways or go anywhere else they are unwanted.

To repair damaged or dead areas of lawn turf is as simple as either reseeding the affected area, or cutting out the area, and replacing it from a new turf roll or slab from your turf
supplier.

Growing Cool Season Lawns In Warmer Climates

Cool Season Grasses can be grown in warmer climates, with some varieties being more tolerant than others. Keep in mind that most will not survive moderate humidity. They will require greater amounts of water, monitoring, and lawn care compared to warm season varieties in order to keep them alive and in peak health.

The last decade has seen a dramatic shift in appeal for these water and nutrient hungry grasses. They are now being replaced by warm season varieties instead of trying to maintain unsuitable grass varieties in unsuitable environments.

Conclusion

Selecting the appropriate turf in the design stage often comes down to the most appropriate variety for the site - what is fit for purpose and will provide the longevity and performance to thrive in years to come.

Contact Us today to discuss the appropriate variety for your particular situation.