How Do You Choose The Right Lawn Variety For Australian Conditions?

More than 70% of Australian home owners consider lawn quality when looking for a new home but many end up choosing a lawn species based on price, how it looks or if it is readily available. You could be left with expensive and time-wasting replanting every 3 years unless you are more informed.

You want your lawn to be successful. First, you need to pick a grass type that will be compatible with your yard’s particular needs. Are you going to find grass that can handle the amount of heat and cold your area sees on an annual basis? Can it stand up to wear and tear? How about shade? Can the grass you select handle places in your yard that receive partial shade on a regular basis? Can you maintain it? Understanding these 4 lawn characteristics will help you select a grass type for optimal lawn performance.

Climate compatibility drives everything

Here in Australia we have many different species of grass suitable for our climates. Some species of grass will thrive in hot dry climates whilst others are suited to cold climates with plenty of rainfall. When choosing a lawn in Melbourne with a temperate climate some species of grass will perform better than others. The drop in temperature during the months of winter needs to be a consideration when choosing a lawn. When choosing a buffalo lawn it is best to understand that it requires consistent moisture to establish and to maintain. However for a low maintenance lawn with good durability to handle heavy foot traffic buffalo lawns are a great choice.

Lawns in southern climates typically do best with Cool-Season Grasses (tall fescue and perennial ryegrass) which usually have excellent heat tolerance and will not die off until well over 30°C. They will go dormant above 35°C but that is normal. Lawns in northern climates typically do best with the Warm-Season Grasses (Bermuda, Zoysia, etc.) which have good heat tolerance but are expected to turn dormant in cold weather.

It is important to remember that the up-front cost of establishing a low-water lawn is minimal when compared to the long-term health of your turf. Many drought tolerant turf species require up to 40-60% less water than many of the premium cool-season turf species once established. For those in drought-prone areas with water restrictions or high water and sewer fees, these savings can be substantial.

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Traffic patterns reveal durability requirements

When selecting a lawn grass species, it is important to consider the amount and type of foot traffic the lawn will receive. Some grass species are better suited to handle heavy use on a daily basis than others.

High traffic demand areas wear resistant turf species well. Of the lawn turf species available to purchase in Australia, Couch grass is a great choice for high traffic areas as it has a very rapid recovery from damage and maintains high density even under heavy wear. Buffalo grass is also very durable however it has a slower recovery from damage than many other species of turf. For extremely high traffic areas, synthetic turf or concrete/hardscape may be a better choice.

Another aspect to consider when choosing grass is not only the initial durability, but also the rate at which it recovers from use over time. This is especially important in areas around playgrounds or highly used walkways. Most sports turf options are designed with recovery from heavy use in mind and can be very effective choices for areas where such abuse occurs. However, most traditional ornamental grasses display a permanent damage pattern after only a few months of steady foot traffic.

Pet considerations

For most pet owners, wearing down the lawn is the biggest problem when it comes to lawn maintenance, however there is also the extra concern of pet urine causing nitrogen burns which can kill most lawn types. There are however some grasses which are more resistant to pet damage than others. These include a range of ‘drought tolerant’ type lawns, such as Couch and buffalo grasses, that will be less prone to damage than some of the finer turf types such as fine fescues or bent grasses.

Shade tolerance determines placement options

The amount of shade in a yard is often misunderstood. Many yards have areas of light shade that provide less than six hours of direct sunlight on an average day. Most lawn grass species can struggle to thrive in these types of areas.

Most of the turf varieties mentioned above will handle partial shade well. Some Buffalo varieties will even handle full shade and still provide a decent density with 4 to 5 hours of morning sunlight. Fine fescue will handle shade well however it will grow slowly and provide a poor ground cover in high traffic areas. When choosing turf Perth it is also important to consider the seasonal shade created by deciduous trees and know what form they will take during different seasons of the year.

Areas under dense tree canopies are particularly difficult to maintain grass. In these situations, alternative groundcovers, mulched plantings or hardscapes may be more suitable. However, there are some specialist turf species that will tolerate shade better than others.

Maintenance requirements align with lifestyle

There are huge differences between grass varieties in terms of how much maintenance is required. Some varieties will require regular mowing, fertilising and watering, whilst others are less maintainable but less attractive.

Various grass species require different mowing programmes – some to be mown at the same frequency and others at different intervals. For example, Fine fescue should be mown every 10 to 14 days. Other species such as couch and buffalo lawns need to be mown on a weekly basis when in full growth, but can be held back and mown every six weeks during quiet periods of between growth spurts.

The schedule of your lawn fertilization is an important factor in achieving and maintaining a healthy and beautiful lawn. Most native grasses require little or no fertilization, whereas the exotic grasses need to be fertilized quarterly to keep the grass a deep green color and full lawn density.

The more susceptible your lawn is to pests and diseases the more variables there are in your lawn maintenance. Some turfgrass species and cultivars are more resistant to certain lawn diseases than others, therefore selecting a species with inherent resistance may eliminate the need for fungicides. In addition, knowing the local pest pressure can guide the selection of a species that has minimal pest control needs.

Choosing the right grass variety for your lawn can seem like a daunting process. However, selecting the best turf for your specific situation and reality, in addition to your willingness and ability to perform regular maintenance, will ultimately lead to success. Although there is a significant initial investment when selecting the correct turf variety for your specific situation and location, it will pay for itself with long-term water savings and reduced maintenance, in addition to a full-year lawn aesthetic.