Spring is here, so if you’re thinking about establishing an enviably lush lawn, now is the time to get turf rolled out. Laying turf in spring is a great idea because gentle, warm temperatures coupled frequent rain showers encourage rapid growth and help new turf take root quickly. Summer is just too hot, stressing newly-laid grass and making it hard for roots to thrive. Likewise, winter is also unsuitable, because cooler soil temperatures and low sunshine slows growth. So, the way forward is clear; make your move in spring to ensure lawn success.
Now you may well be wondering, ‘What grass type will work best at my place?’ If so, read on.
Choosing the Right Grass
Wondering what is the best lawn for Sydney and NSW? Selecting the right grass type is crucial for long-term garden success, so it’s important to consider the amounts of water, sun and shade that your garden will have access to. If you’re not sure, our horticulturists can help you make the right grass choice. Sydney weather varies from hot and humid to wet and cold, but thankfully there are many excellent grasses out there that work well in Sydney. Some great Sydney lawn choices include Buffalo, Zoysia, Kikuyu and Couch. So let’s take a closer look at these favourite grass options.
Buffalo is easy to maintain, can handle varied weather conditions and is somewhat self-repairing due to its deep roots. What’s more, it can tolerate high-traffic stresses from the likes of resident dog ‘zoomies’ and backyard cricket matches. This grass type is water efficient and stays greener for longer when dry spells set in during summer and things really get hot and crispy.
Zoysia is a pleasant, drought tolerant and hardy choice. It requires less mowing and is water efficient, which is a bonus. Its underground runner system has deep roots, so it can put up with heat, humidity and chilly weather patterns. What a high achiever. Zoysia is also wonderfully soft underfoot and is very slow growing, which is ideal if you want a low maintenance option. Less mowing equals more relaxation time.
Kikuyu is a vigorous and economical lawn choice. It’s happy in warm conditions and does well in full sun. No shade please! This one likes it hot. Kikuyu regenerates quickly, making it great for high traffic areas. However, because it’s such a fast grower, it does need a lot of mowing and can potentially become invasive if it is left unchecked. Care must be taken to stop it escaping and spreading to other zones where it doesn’t belong (like the neighbour’s place).
Couch is a simple, durable and affordable grass which looks great when it’s properly looked after. It can deal with quite a bit of wear and tear and can repair itself effectively, thanks to its vigorous underground runners. But… Couch runners can potentially creep into surrounding non-lawn areas, so this needs to be watched and addressed from time to time. Couch stays vibrant all year round. Mow it regularly in the heat and fertilise it in the cold. This grass is a solid, down-to-earth classic with a lot of admirers.
