Month: August 2020

Zoysia Grass

Pronunciation

Zoi see uh

Zoysia grass are warm season grasses that are native to South East Asia and the pacific region. These grasses are commonly known to be highly drought and wear tolerant.

Zoysia as a turf grass type has several different species, all of which carry very different characteristics and aesthetics to the next. While they still do carry the name botanically in a lot of marketing material, it is important to understand the difference when looking at the different options available.

Key Characteristics

Most Zoysia grass types are well-adapted to tropical, sub-tropical and warm temperate climates in Australia.

• Establish slower than most other grass types.
• Zoysia grass have a relatively fine leaf up to 5mm wide and 40-50mm long which is soft to touch.
• Zoysia grasses spread both by stolons and by rhizomes and are noted for their relatively slow growth rate which reduces the frequency that mowing is needed.

What are the main zoysia turf types?

Zoysia macrantha

Zoysia macrantha’s are the only zoysia which are considered Australian natives and are commonly referred to as prickly couch. Some examples of macrantha which are available on the Australian market are Nara Native Zoysia and Stockade Native. Macrantha generally performs better in the warmer climates of Australia and in full-sun areas. Macrantha’s leaf shape and colour varies depending on the variety but are medium to coarse and light green in colour. The wear tolerance and shade tolerance of Zoysia macrantha’s are inferior to the other types of zoysia.

Zoysia japonica

Zoysia japonica originates and is native to the coastal grasslands of South East Asia. Japonica’s have been introduced and used as a popular choice for home lawns and public areas around the world. The common types of Zoysia japonica which are available around Australia are Zoysia Australis, Platinum Zoysia and Empire Zoysia. Japonica’s have a medium leaf texture, high shade and good wear tolerance.

Zoysia matrella

Like japonica’s, Zoysia matrella’s are native to South East Asia. Unlike their Japonica counterparts, matrella’s have a very fine leaf and have high shade tolerance. Until just recently, matrella’s were primarily used in golf, but now their qualities have proven they are perfect for home lawns and commercial applications. They require less mowing, less fertiliser, less water and have higher density than the other zoysia’s. Matrella’s that are on the Australian market include Sir Grange (Zeon Zoysia) and Shadetuff. Zoysia matrella can be successfully installed all around Australia and make for a fantastic lawn both domestically and commercially.

Important points for installation of zoysia grass

• Install the grass as soon as possible after delivery
• Lay on a bed of at least 150mm quality sandy loam (high sand content is essential) or washed sand
• Use Lawn Solutions Australia Lawn Launcher at label rates to give the grass a head start and retain moisture in the new soil bed
• Roll to compact new turf to improve contact with the soil
• For the first 14 days, irrigate the new lawn for at least 40 mins every day
• After the initial 14 days post installation, you can reduce irrigation to every second day for the next 14 days
• Reduce irrigation once established and water only when the grass appears dry
• Minimise irrigation in the cooler months to avoid your lawn getting waterlogged
• Consult your local supplier for seasonal advice on installation timing in cooler regions

Maintenance of Zoysia Grass

Irrigation

If watering is necessary once established, water only when there are signs of the grass drying out, e.g. wilted leaves

• Do not over water in the cooler winter months
• If irrigation is needed, deeply soak the top 100mm of soil
• Water early morning for improved efficiency and plant health

Mowing

Zoysia grasses, Zoysia matrella in particular, have a leaf blade that has a high silicone content, which makes it very strong. This, along with its dense vertical growth, gives grasses like Sir Grange superior surface strength and appearance.

• Ensure that mower blades are sharp to prevent tearing of the leaf
• Never remove more than 1/3 of the leaf blade at any one time unless dethatching
• For best results, dethatch in late winter just before the grass comes out of dormancy
• Remove clippings each mow to prevent thatch build-up

Fertilising

• Fertilise between early spring and mid to late summer if required
• It is not recommended to fertilise in autumn. Wait until spring to reapply if needed
• Liquid iron, natural colourants, and micronutrients can be used to improve colour without the use of nitrogen-based fertilisers in autumn and winter

Weed and pest control

Most commercially available chemical weed and pest control products can be used on zoysia lawns, but it is always best to read the label and check with your Lawn Solutions Australia grower for recommended products before any application.

Sir Grange Zoysia

Lawn Solutions Australia supplies Sir Grange Zoysia which has been selectively bred for its superior drought and shade tolerance, as well as reduced need for additional nutrients. Sir Grange has been hand-selected from over 10,000 different varieties of turf, with its superior qualities making it stand out from the crowd.

Sir Grange was originally developed for the golf industry, but it was soon discovered that due to its characteristics, it would make a fantastic home lawn. Its adaptability to a variety of climates in combination with the beautiful dark green leaf has seen it become the top-selling zoysia grass in the USA.

Zoysia Australis

Zoysia Australis supplied by Lawn Solutions Australia members is a tough and hardy, medium-textured zoysia grass with a beautiful blue/green leaf. It’s a new zoysia variety that provides solutions for Aussie families with its ability to be installed in a wide range of areas.

Only accredited Lawn Solutions Australia turf suppliers can supply Sir Grange Zoysia and Zoysia Australis. You can find contact details for your local supplier here.

Couch Grass

(Cynodon Dactylon)

Couch grass (known as Bermuda grass in the US) is a warm season grass that is native to most areas of the eastern hemisphere. These grasses are commonly known to be highly drought and wear tolerant.

A manicured couch lawn can look great in front of your home, however a bit more time and effort is required due its fast growth rate.

Key Characteristics

Couch grass thrives in full sun areas and has very strong horizontal growth. This allows it to tolerate very low mowing heights. These strong growth habits also attribute to its ability to handle high amounts of traffic, whilst enabling it to recover quicker if affected by wear and stress. This makes couch turf suitable for large areas such as sports fields, golf courses and parks or recreational areas.

These grasses can grow in a range of soil types, from sandy soils to light clays and prefer a pH between 6 and 7.5.

Couches are not one of the most shade tolerant turf types, needing in most cases a bare minimum of 5-6 hours direct sunlight a day. Newer varieties however, like TifTuf Hybrid Bermuda (couch) have shown significantly better shade tolerance than existing couches varieties.

Couch grasses have a great ability to recover from wear, with underground stems called rhizomes to repair from as well as aboveground stems called stolons.

Important points for installation of couch grass

Install the grass as soon as possible after delivery

• Lay on a bed of 50 to 100mm of quality turf underlay
• Launcher fertiliser is not recommended during the peak growing season (Sept to March)
• Roll to compact new turf to improve contact with the soil
• Soak the newly laid turf thoroughly for 10 to 14 days after installation or until fully established
• Reduce irrigation once established and water only when the grass appears dry
• Mow as soon as the grass has rooted in to promote lateral growth. This could be as early as 3 to 5 days after installation during the warmer months.

Couch Grass Maintenance

Irrigation

Couch grasses naturally have a good drought tolerance. TifTuf Hybrid Bermuda in particular is an extremely drought tolerant couch variety, requiring considerably less water to maintain acceptable growth and appearance. TifTuf is the only couch grass, or grass of any type for that matter in Australia to have been awarded the Smart Approved WaterMark for its low water requirements.

• If watering is necessary once established, water only when there are signs of the grass drying out, as excess irrigation can hinder the grass rather than help
• Do not overwater in the cooler months
• If irrigation is needed, water deeply to soak the top 100mm of soil
• Water early morning for improved efficiency and plant health

Mowing

Couch turf’s growth habit allows it to be mown at a range of heights. They can be kept as low as 4mm or let to grow out to 36mm depending on the usage requirements. If a couch lawn is left for long periods without mowing, caution must be taken not to take too much leaf at once.

• Ensure mower blades are sharp
• Never remove more than 1/3 of the leaf at any one time unless dethatching
• Mowing frequency can be reduced with controlled irrigation and fertiliser
• Couch grasses are best kept between 9mm and 36mm in home lawns; below 25mm is recommended for best appearance
• If excess scalping occurs, increase mowing height, and allow leaf to regrow to desired level
• If needed, dethatch in early spring for best results

Fertilising

Couch grasses perform their best when fertilised regularly throughout the year. It is important to consider whole of plant health when applying fertiliser and to avoid the over-stimulation of leaf growth with excessive nitrogen, particularly during the warmer months.

• Liquid iron, natural colourants and other micronutrients can improve colour without the use of nitrogen-based fertilisers
• Add nutrients in measured amounts and monitor growth and health of the grass before reapplying

TifTuf was specifically bred to require less inputs than other warm season grasses. TifTuf requires less than 1/3 the amount of fertiliser to maintain healthy growth and appearance.

Weed and pest control

The rapid coverage and dense undergrowth of couch turf, along with its low input requirements and winter growth activity mean that couch can compete quite successfully with weeds and other turf grass species that may try to invade your lawn.

Couch grass also resists several pests and diseases but may need some assistance from time to time. A couch lawn can be treated with most commonly available chemicals that are suitable for couch grasses. Ensure application directions are followed and if unsure, it is always a good idea to check with your Lawn Solutions Australia supplier for chemical compatibility before use.

What is the best couch grass?

Lawn Solutions Australia supplies TifTuf Hybrid Bermuda (couch grass) which is the only grass in Australia to be Smart WaterMark Approved for drought tolerance. This makes it the best choice in couch turf for our harsh Australian climate.

Check out trial results here confirming the superior traits that TifTuf possesses.

Only accredited Lawn Solutions Australia turf suppliers can supply TifTuf Hybrid Bermuda. You can find contact details for your local supplier here.

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What is Buffalo Grass?

(Stenotaphrum secundatum)

Buffalo grass (known as St. Augustine in the US) is a warm season grass that is native to areas of North and South America, parts of Africa and the Caribbean. Commonly known as soft leaf buffalo in Australia.

Buffalo grasses are a great all-round turf variety with a number of key strengths that make them an ideal variety for many Australian backyards.

Buffalo grasses have been developed over the years from the scratchy older types to the soft leaf buffalo’s that are commonly supplied today, like Australia’s most popular variety Sir Walter DNA Certified.

What are the Key Characteristics of Buffalo Grass?

These grasses can grow in a range of soil types, from sandy soils to light clays and at a range of pH levels between 5 and 8.5.

Buffalo turfs are one of the most shade tolerant turf types, with the ability to survive in areas receiving as little 40% sunlight, or 3-4 hours direct sunlight a day.

They also have a good tolerance of salinity and make for a great option in coastal areas.

Buffalo grasses only have above-ground stems known as stolons to establish from. Their stolons are very robust and hardy providing these grasses with a good wear tolerance. They will however be a little bit slower to repair than varieties like kikuyu or couch that also have underground stems called rhizomes to repair from as well as stolons.

How Buffalo Grass is Grown

Buffalo grasses are grown on turf farms through the establishment of vegetative material. When buffalo turf is harvested, strips known as ribbons are left behind in order for the turf paddock to re-establish again for harvesting. Buffalo turf cannot be established through seed as the seed heads that are produced are sterile and seed production is minimal. When looking to repair or patch a buffalo lawn, it will need to be established through vegetative material, so spreading of the runners, or by installing some more solid turf.

Buffalo turf can be installed year-round Australia wide. It establishes quickly over the warmer months but can take a little longer if you are installing in winter.

Important points for installation of buffalo grass

• Install the grass as soon as possible after delivery
• Lay on a bed of 100mm of quality turf underlay
• Use Lawn Solutions Australia Lawn Launcher at label rates to give the grass a head start and retain moisture in the new soil bed
• Roll to compact new turf to improve contact with the soil
• Soak the newly laid turf thoroughly for 10-14 days after installation or until established
• Reduce irrigation once established and water only when the grass appears to be dry
• Minimise irrigation in the cooler months to avoid your lawn getting waterlogged
• Consult your local supplier for seasonal advice on installation timing in cooler regions

How to Maintain Buffalo Grass

Irrigation

it is important to be mindful of correct and efficient irrigation practices to maintain a healthy buffalo lawn.

• If watering is necessary once established, water only when there are signs of the grass drying out, e.g. wilted or curled leaves
• Do not water in the cooler winter months unless there are signs of the above
• If irrigation is needed, deeply soak the top 100mm of soil (generally 30 minutes with a standard sprinkler will suffice)
• Water early morning for improved efficiency and plant health

How to Mow Buffalo Grass

Buffalo grass can be mowed between 20 and 60mm. They are best mown with a rotary mower, but a cylinder mower can also produce fantastic results. Removing clippings is encouraged; however, mulch mowing is fine as long as clippings are not thick enough to inhibit the lawn getting sunlight. Over winter it is recommended to leave your lawn slightly longer.

• Ensure that mower blades are sharp to prevent tearing of the leaf
• Never remove more than 1/3 of the leaf blade at any one time unless dethatching
• Dethatch if required in late spring for best results
• It is recommended to remove clippings each mow to prevent thatch build up

How to Fertilise Buffalo Grass

If you want your buffalo grass to remain healthy and have a nice, deep green colour, it is best to fertilise a few times per year.

• Apply slow release granular fertiliser at a rate of 20-25g/m2 or 2-2.5kg/100m2
• For best results, fertilise at least 3 times per year. Important dates are late spring, mid to late summer and late autumn
• Always irrigate after applying fertiliser
• On new lawns, apply fertiliser after you have cut your lawn at least once
• To best maintain year-round colour, fertilise in late autumn and apply ColourGuard PLUS at 10 to 12-week intervals until spring

How to Treat Weeds and Pests in Buffalo Grass

Many buffalo grasses like Sir Walter DNA Certified have fantastic natural resistance to most pests and weeds. To keep weeds at bay, it is important to fertilise your lawn regularly to keep it healthy. This will ensure it is sufficiently dense to block weeds out, and high nitrogen levels will also keep most weeds away.

To ensure your lawn remains pest free, always keep an eye out for signs of infestation and be proactive with preventative pesticides, such as Acelepryn GR.

Most domestically available chemical weed and pest control products can be used on buffalo lawns (with the exception of some Weed ‘n’ Feeds), but it is always best to read the label and check with your Lawn Solutions Australia grower for recommended products before any application.

Some common broadleaf herbicides contain Dicamba which is not safe to use on buffalo lawns. All Purpose Weed Control and Bin Die Herbicide contain the active Bromoxynil which is safe to use on buffalo grass.

What is the Best Buffalo Grass?

If you think buffalo grass is the right choice for your lawn, you cannot go past Sir Walter DNA Certified. Sir Walter DNA Certified Buffalo Grass is the best buffalo grass available and is bred right here in Australia. Sir Walter DNA Certified has been the number one choice for Aussie backyards for over 20 years. Look out for the ‘Original Breeder Guarantee’ to ensure you are getting the genuine Sir Walter DNA Certified.

Only accredited Lawn Solutions Australia turf suppliers can supply Sir Walter DNA Certified with the Original Breeder Guarantee. You can find contact details for your local supplier here.