There are several different types of lawn grass, and which one is best for you will depend on a number of factors – grass types cope differently with climate, soil type, and geography. Some can tolerate droughts, some hate the shade, some need a lot of water and some only a little. If you want to make sure your lawn grows well and stays healthy, you need to start with the best possible grass for the conditions and your individual needs. Ask My LawnCare in Ipswich for tips.
Before you start, you should check your soil’s pH levels. You can do this using a home kit. You need to do this because most grass grows best in a soil pH of 5.5 – 6.5. If your soil falls outside this range you will probably need to first improve it using a soil activator, before planting or laying any grass.
If you have a lot of time and don’t need to get your lawn done and dusted quickly, you might want to grow your grass from seed. It’s usually significantly cheaper than turf, especially for larger spaces. If time is of the essence but budget isn’t a concern, then turf is likely the way to go – you pay per square meter so the cost can be high, but you get an instantly beautiful lawn.
Types of Lawn Grass
The most popular type of grass for Australian lawns is Buffalo. This is because it’s hard-wearing and resilient, standing up to even the heaviest use, and tolerates droughts well too. It also stays green even in the winter, so your garden will look gorgeous all year round.
Zoysia is a slightly lesser-known lawn grass, but still an excellent choice. The leaf is slightly larger that couch, but slimmer and finer than buffalo. Leaf is a great choice for people who don’t have huge amounts of time for maintenance, as it doesn’t need much water and does well in most conditions – it will survive well in high heat, humidity, and coastal winds. It’s got great drought tolerance, too.
Couch grass has very fine leaves, and so looks incredibly beautiful. However, some varieties require significantly more maintenance than other grass types, so be sure to pick a type that works for your lifestyle. It’s also worth noting that Couch grasses tend to struggle in the shade, so if your garden is overlooked or you have trees that cast shade over the lawn it might not be the best choice. Some Couch varieties can also become invasive if they’re allowed to spread outside the lawn area.
Queensland Blue can be a great alternative to Couch; it has similar problems in shade and is similar in appearance but easier to maintain.
For a budget-friendly lawn, Kiyuku grass is a great option. It works well for larger lawns, grows fast and can tolerate drought; however it does need a lot more maintenance than other varieties and, like a couch, can become invasive.
If you’re still not sure which type of lawn grass is best for you, ask around locally – fellow gardeners will know which varieties grow well in your area. You can also ask at your local garden center for advice.