TifTuf is the Best Couch Grass in Australia proven by extensive independent turf trials.
STRI recently conducted a trial evaluating the “Performance of bermuda (couch) grass cultivars under different shade, irrigation and wear treatments”.
The Sports Turf Research Institute (STRI) conducts world leading testing and research for developing innovative techniques and products to improve turfgrass and sports surfaces.
TifTuf Hybrid Bermuda was a clear stand out performer in this trial outperforming all other available couch grasses. TifTuf is the best couch grass available in Australia.
Turf quality of different cultivars averaged over the effects of shade, irrigation, and wear
GROUND COVER
Ground cover of different cultivars averaged over the effects of shade, irrigation, and wear.
DROUGHT
Drought stress of different cultivars averaged over the effects of shade, irrigation, and wear.
TURF COLOUR
Turf colour of different cultivars under 60% shade averaged over the effects of irrigation and wear.
DROUGHT STRESS WITH FULL SUN
Drought stress of different cultivars under full sun condition averaged over the effects of irrigation and wear.
DROUGHT STRESS WITH DEFICIT IRRIGATION
Drought stress of different cultivars under deficit irrigation averaged over the effects of shade and wear.
DROUGHT STRESS WITHOUT WEAR
Drought stress of different cultivars without wear averaged over the effects of shade and irrigation.
DROUGHT STRESS WITH WEAR
Drought stress of different cultivars with wear averaged over the effects of shade and irrigation.
WHICH GRASSES DID BETTER?
TifTuf had superior turf cover (thickness and growth) over the duration of the trial compared to all other grasses trialled. TifTuf also scored the highest NDVI which is a measure of appearance using a specialised scanning device.
There are new couch grasses like Tahoma 31 that have entered the Australian market in recent years. But new grasses do not mean better. TifTuf also outperformed Tahoma 31 in the extensive trials conducted throughout the US National Turf Evaluation program. TifTuf is a better turf grass than Tahoma 31, in fact it outperformed all of the bermuda (couch) grasses included in these trials also.
WEAR RECOVERY & DROUGHT PERIOD
Summary of cultivar performance averaged over trial period. Turf cover refers to the cultivars thickness of growth and percentage of grass coverage. NDVI (Normalised Difference Vegetation Index) summarises appearance of green cover within each plot.
TurfTalk is suitable for all turf professionals, from turf growers to landscapers, golf courses and sports ground curators, to government and related industry organisations.
TurfTalk is here to share with you the latest information on the turf industry, the exciting developments in turf research and to keep you up to date with everything you need to know about turf.
For any enquiries, submissions or to subscribe to either our digital edition or mailing list to receive a hard copy, please contact us at the following:
Australian East Coast Experiencing Biggest Turf Shortage Ever Seen
The Australian DIY market has exploded, with the nauseating boredom of endless lock downs and working from home driving even the laziest of folk into action. Why not fix the backyard up? We’ve barely touched it for the greater part of a decade while we’ve lived here, but now’s the time!… said everyone all at once.
But unfortunately gone are the days (for now anyway) of making an order and receiving your turf the next day. You can still purchase freshly harvested turf; however, your delivery may have to be scheduled for a few days or even weeks later. This year it was a perfect storm, with the biggest building boom, the largest flood, and the largest demand for turf in 30 years, creating turf shortages we have never experienced before.
The devastating NSW floods experienced in March have wreaked havoc on supply more than anything else. With the forecast in the lead up being of “minor to moderate flooding,” but what actually developed was “major flooding.” The amount of rain that did come, caused utter destruction. Areas of the Hawkesbury Valley west of Sydney and on the NSW Mid-North Coast were the hardest hit, with over 2,800 hectares of turf production severely impacted.
As Bo Burnham says in his latest comedy special on Netflix, we want to have available to us ‘a little bit of everything all of the time.’ This is about our use of the internet, but this has extended to every single aspect of our lives. We really do want a little bit of everything, all of the time… more than ever. But the reality is we can’t. You want a new car? Sure thing, you can have this white one right now, but for anything else there is a 3 month wait.
The turf industry is obviously no different. But it’s not like the iconic Sir Walter DNA Certified buffalo grass is impossible to get. You might have to wait a little bit for it, but you will get it.
The housing boom has continued to climb with a record 143,700 detached homes commencing construction this year. That’s a lot of new lawns. The building industry naturally as a result has supply constraints up the wazoo, probably because everyone seems to have bucket loads of cash and wants to build, renovate, renew, and extend and it’s absurd to comprehend an interest rate rise… just don’t ask the RBA. That’s like so 2024’s problem, right or is it 2023 now?
The trend for DIY has obviously saturated our tv content as well. Love it or hate it, The Block is like the reincarnation of Hey Hey it’s Saturday. Everyone’s watching it. The ratings are sky high, and it’s just been signed on for another 3 seasons. If The Block was aired exclusively on TikTok they would have to call it BlockTok.
The lesson to be learnt out of all of this… all good things take time… I think.
If you need a new lawn, some turf, the iconic Sir Walter or the new TifTuf Hybrid Bermuda, you may need to wait, but it’ll be worth it. If your local supplier has a waiting list, don’t wait, get on it now.
Jason Hodges and Joe Rogers from Lawn Solutions Australia will be back for another Facebook Live Q&A event on Thursday the 18th of November.
Hosted Live on the Lawn Solutions Australia Facebook page at 4.30pm AEDT, for 1 hour, this is a special opportunity to ask us whatever you would like about turf, lawns, and gardening.
If you have some questions you would like answered on the day, ask us in the questions section or comment on the announcement post on the Lawn Solutions Australia Facebook page.
Amgrow Chemspray Bin-Die is suitable for use on most grasses including Sir Walter DNA Certified Buffalo Lawn, Nullarbor Couch Grass, Eureka Kikuyu, RTF Fescue, Platinum Zoysia and all other lawn types.
This weeds killer will treat bindii, catsear, clover, creeping oxalis, cudweed, dandelion, plain thistle and other broad leaf weeds.
Hard to control weeds such as clover often need a follow up spray.
Active ingredient: Bromoxynil
Highly concentrated 250ml will cover approx. 400 sq metres.
A pre-emergent herbicide for most warm season turf varieties, OxaFert controls weed seedlings during germination.
OxaFert controls annual grass-type weeds including Winter Grass, Crowsfoot, Summer Grass, Creeping Oxalis and Crabgrass before they appear.
OxaFert will prevent the targeted weed seedlings before they take hold, preventing them from growing and spreading throughout your lawn for up to 12 weeks.
Fertiliser contains a balanced ratio of Nitrogen 16%, Phosphorus 2.0%, Potassium 6.0%, Sulphur 16%, Iron 1.5%, and Magnesium 0.2% to give your lawn a boost.
Lawn Solutions OxaFert won’t harm healthy turf or inhibit turf root growth or recovery from damage.
Fertilise your lawn and control weeds in one easy application.
Spring Lawn Care Products | Lawn Nutrition and Colour
Lawn Solutions Premium Fertiliser
Supercharge your lawn with this premium lawn food that’s ideal for all lawn varieties.
Both fast and slow-release granules packed with essential nutrients and trace elements encourage strong growth and rich colour.
The slow-release granules will deliver a small amount of nutrients to your lawn each day for up to 12 weeks after the initial application to aid in sustained growth for best all-round results.
Contains 16% Nitrogen (N), 0.7% Phosphorus (P), 4% Potassium (K), 20% Sulphur (S), 1.5% Calcium (Ca) and 2% Iron (Fe).
Provides nutrients for turf growth and recovery.
Lawn Solutions Premium Lawn Fertiliser was developed specifically for use on Sir Walter DNA Certified Soft Leaf Buffalo and works equally well on other lawn varieties.
Lawn Rescue is a blend of liquid fertilisers, seaweed extracts and wetting agents and is ideal for use during establishment, post establishment and for post-winter revival.
Promoting the development of root systems and growth in new lawns, Lawn Rescue stimulates, supports and protects root growth in established lawns year-round.
Featuring both nutrient and rehydration properties, Lawn Rescue is the perfect solution for tired, slow-growing lawns.
Will restore colour and health to lawns that are looking dry and thin and is suitable for all lawn varieties.
Lawn Solutions Grub Guard Ultimate Turf Insecticide powered by Acelepryn technology delivers excellent preventative control against a large range of common lawn pests.
Optimal results are achieved when applied early in the season at the appearance of overwintering adult pests.
This 4kg bucket will cover up to 500m2
The long residual performance of Lawn Solutions Grub Guard Ultimate Turf Insecticide will provide up to 6 months of protection at the higher application rates.
Curative control of pest outbreaks later in the season can also be achieved using the higher recommended application rates.
Treatment for water repellent soil. A premium lawn hydration solution.
Lawn Soaker is a ready to use soil wetting agent specifically developed for use on lawns. It improves the penetration of water so it can reach deep down to the roots. Regular use will ensure the soil re-wets and prevents further dry spots from forming.
Apply as frequently as necessary to treat water repellent soil and improve drought resistance.
Lawn Soaker will help break down the wax like substance that is caused by the decomposition of organic matter, allowing water to penetrate.
Easy to use, clip on hose on attachment will make application easier than ever. No need to measure and mix up concentrates.
Lawn Solutions Lawn Soaker 2L ready-to-use bottle treats up to 150m².
Lawn Kelper Liquid Nutrient Package is a balanced formulation with the added additions of Trace Elements, Seaweed Kelp and Fulvic Acid.
This formulation is designed specifically for turf/lawns to increase turf vigour and stimulate and strengthen roots and shoots. Ideal to use year round to keep your lawn looking dark green and healthy.
This bundle contains a great combination of products to help get your lawn back on track for spring and summer.
We also include our brand-new Year-Round Lawn Care Program Spinner to help you know what lawn care activities and products to apply to your lawn throughout the year.
Lawn Solutions Australia is proud be a sponsor of Water Night 2021, brought to you by the Smart Approved WaterMark.
Thursday 21 October 2021 | 12pm – 12am
No taps. One night only.
Improve your water mindfulness
Brought to you by
Did you know that TifTuf Hybrid Bermuda is the first and only turf grass to be awarded the Smart Approved WaterMark? For more information on this incredible water efficient grass, click here.
Do you know how many times a day you reach for your taps? Well, Water Night is the perfect opportunity for you to find out.
Will you take the Water Night Challenge?
See if your household can avoid using taps and survive without running water from 12pm to 12am on Thursday 21 October, 2021 during National Water Week.
TurfTalk is suitable for all turf professionals, from turf growers to landscapers, golf courses and sports ground curators, to government and related industry organisations.
TurfTalk is here to share with you the latest information on the turf industry, the exciting developments in turf research and to keep you up to date with everything you need to know about turf.
For any enquiries, submissions or to subscribe to either our digital edition or mailing list to receive a hard copy, please contact us at the following:
Sir Walter DNA Certified is Exclusively available from Lawn Solutions Australia
Sir Walter DNA Certified buffalo grass is exclusively available from Lawn Solutions Australia. This means that only Lawn Solutions Australia accredited turf suppliers grow and supply Sir Walter DNA Certified.
Anyone selling something that is called ‘Sir Walter’ that isn’t accredited by Lawn Solutions Australia, quite literally could be selling anything. There are no protections in place to stop them selling any old buffalo (or any grass at all for that matter, even kikuyu!) and calling it Sir Walter. Which is what many non-accredited turf suppliers have been doing. Buffalo grasses can all look very similar, so it is almost impossible to know for certain that the grass that is supplied, is what they say it is…
That is unless you contact a Lawn Solutions Australia accredited supplier.
These suppliers are the best of the best. All Lawn Solutions Australia members submit samples of their turf for testing. These samples are tested alongside the original Sir Walter plant that has been kept pure without modification or off types at the home of Sir Walter, where it was originally bred over 20 years ago. This testing and accreditation provide these growers of Sir Walter with DNA Certification and an Original Breeder Guarantee.
The Sir Walter DNA Certified turf you buy has this guarantee – it’s the real deal. Sir Walter from anyone without this, is not DNA Certified against the original and cannot provide a breeder guarantee. It also doesn’t come with a 10-year turf product warranty like you get with Sir Walter DNA Certified.
Along with the DNA certification of Sir Walter, all Lawn Solutions Australia growers produce their turf under the only national turf accreditation program in Australia, AusGAP. AusGAP certification guarantees that your DNA Certified Sir Walter is produced under the strictest quality standards and will perform as intended.
If your supplier is not listed on www.lawnsolutionsaustralia.com.au, then they are not Sir Walter DNA Certified and Breeder Guaranteed suppliers and Lawn Solutions Australia cannot guarantee the product you receive.
To help you identify real Sir Walter DNA Certified from imitators, look for both the Sir Walter DNA Certified logo and Original Breeder Guarantee logo. These logos are registered trademarks and can only be used by accredited suppliers. If a supplier doesn’t have these exact logos, they don’t have Sir Walter DNA Certified.
How do you know it’s genuine Sir Walter?
To ensure you are purchasing DNA Certified Sir Walter, always:
Batlow in the NSW Snowy Mountains is located in one of the coldest places in Australia through winter. The town of Batlow is famously known for growing apples, but it’s proven to be a successful climate for another plant as well.
Located in the Tumut region, despite the cold conditions winter in Batlow is football season. This presents a significant challenge for playing surfaces, with warm season grasses being dormant and previously unable to withstand the winter wear.
In 2020, Snowy Valleys Council approved a new playing surface for Batlow Oval as part of a $600,000 upgrade. The surface was levelled with new drainage and irrigation installed, before new turf underlay and turf was laid. The oval hosts many local sporting activities including football and cricket, along with school and community athletics.
The turf variety selected for the Batlow Oval development was TifTuf Hybrid Bermuda. This incredible turf variety provides superior performance for the existing surface, with its key performance traits ideally suited for this climate and wear. Lawn Solutions Australia turf supplier RivTurf supplied the turf for the oval and have been particularly excited by the potential that TifTuf would provide for the surface.
During July 2021 the new Batlow Oval playing surface was put to the ultimate test. Not only has the ground been subjected to countless hours of wear from game after game of rugby league, but it had also snowed.
Andrew and Cam from Rivturf went to check out the oval after the snow experienced over the weekend. They were interested to see how the surface had held up given the very wet months Batlow had also experienced in the lead up. Over 100mm of rain had fallen in July to date, so the ground was definitely under numerous environmental pressures.
Photo of the Group Nine juniors playing rugby league on Saturday.
On close inspection the tips of the grass had experienced some frost damage, but there was plenty of green still in the undergrowth and the profile of the grass dense.
The playing surface was oversown with rye for the winter months by Council, but there wasn’t a lot of rye to be seen in the cover.
This result would simply not have been achievable without the installation of a superior turf variety like TifTuf. Over the coming weeks it’s expected the grass will make a full recovery, while continuing to experience wear from winter sport. This is a great result for sport in the region, where locals can expect the same great performance for the summer of cricket ahead.
