Are you looking to install turf in a small area in your garden? In this blog, we take a look at factors to consider when choosing a new lawn, and look at the best turf options for small spaces.
But First, Why Does Grass Variety Matter in Small Spaces?
Small spaces often come with unique challenges like limited sunlight, higher foot traffic, or exposure to heat from surrounding walls and pavements. The right grass can help you create a resilient and visually appealing lawn that complements your lifestyle.
Things to Consider Before Choosing a Variety for Your Lawn
Assess how much sunlight your area receives
If you are unsure of how much light your area gets, we recommend taking photos of your area at 2-hour intervals throughout the day. E.g. 7am, 9am, 11am, 1pm, 3pm, 5pm. These photos will give you a better indication of sunlight in your area so you can choose a suitable turf type.
When assessing your areas shade, it is also important to take note of any trees or plants that will grow and shade the area in the coming years.
Determine how much wear your area will receive
When turfing smaller areas where pets and kids will be using the lawn, it is important to note that the grass is likely to experience more wear in a smaller area compared to a larger lawn as there will be less space for play. Choosing a grass that will be able to withstand this increased wear is important.
What Is the Best All Round Grass for Small Spaces?
Sir Walter DNA Certified is the best all round grass for smaller spaces. Sir Walter has a high shade tolerance needing a minimum of 3-4 hours of direct light per day to thrive. This is a family friendly, low maintenance grass with a beautiful soft broadleaf that is great with pets and kids. Sir Walter DNA Certified is also versatile grass suited to a range of climates all across Australia.
Is Zoysia Australis Ideal for Smaller Lawns?
Zoysia Australis is also another ideal option, with qualities similar to Sir Walter DNA Certified but with a finer leaf. The Zoysia Australis has a medium leaf width and a beautiful blue/green colour. Zoysia Australis will need a minimum of 4 hours of direct sun per day with less mowing requirements. This is an ideal option for Aussie backyards as it has a good wear tolerance and recovery.
What Grass Should I Use If My Lawn Will Get Lots of Wear?
If your lawn will get lots of traffic from pets and kids and will get plenty of sun, an ideal option to look into is TifTuf Hybrid Bermuda. TifTuf has superior wear tolerance and a fast-repairing nature, so if it becomes damaged by pets or kids, it will repair itself quickly. It also has a superior drought tolerance and is formally recognised as Smart Drop Certified. While this grass performs fantastically, it also has a soft, fine leaf and can be maintained at a lower height of cut for a more manicured look. With TifTuf, it is also important to note that it requires a minimum of 6 hours of direct light per day to thrive.
If you would like some more specific advice on choosing the best grass type for your area or are ready to get your new lawn, get in touch with your local Lawn Solutions Australia member here.
For more lawn care tips and advice, make sure to check out our other lawn care blogs here.
Zoysia turf varieties are a favourite when it comes to many Aussie homes for their fantastic colour and versatility across many areas, but what is the best variety? Zoysia Australis is the best option for families who use their area frequently. Sir Grange Zoysia is a premium low-maintenance option for a more sophisticated show garden or display area.
What are the best zoysia grasses for Australian conditions?
Best Zoysia for Families
Zoysia Australis is the best zoysia grass for families. It can stand up to the daily stresses that you and your family will throw at it, while still performing beautifully while still showcasing beautiful zoysia traits. Here are some of the main reasons why Zoysia Australis is considered the best zoysia for families:
Has a good shade tolerance. Zoysia Australis needs a minimum of 4 hours of direct light and is well suited in full sun areas.
Has a good wear tolerance and recovery for a zoysia. It can stand up to regular foot traffic from pets and kids and if it does become damaged, it will be able to repair itself quickly.
Has a fast establishment. This means you can get out and use your lawn faster.
Soft, medium leaf that feels great underfoot and great to play on.
Has a beautiful blue/green colour.
Zoysia Australis is part of the Zoysia japonica family. It can stand up to the stresses of a family and pets and has shade tolerance to thrive where other grasses falter.
Zoysia Australis is one of the latest turfgrasses to hit the Australian market. It was bred by Dr. Brian Schwartz at the world-famous University of Georgia, Tifton campus. This grass has been undergoing trial work here in Australia since 2018 with a range of elite zoysia grasses, with Zoysia Australis coming up on top.
Sir Grange Zoysia is the best zoysia if you are after a high-end show garden! It has a stunning fine blade with a beautiful dark green colour. Sir Grange is a slow-growing grass, meaning it has lower mowing requirements compared to other faster-growing grasses. Sir Grange also can look great when mown as low as 5mm, maintained at any height and can even be left unmown for a more textured and landscaped look. This ability to be left unmown makes it ideal for areas that are difficult to mow.
Here are some of the main reasons why Sir Grange Zoysia is considered the best zoysia grass for show gardens and manicured lawns:
Soft, fine, dark green leaf.
Slow growing requires up to 50% less mowing than other common turf varieties.
Can be mowed at a variety of heights – can even be left unmown for a more textured look.
Is a low-input grass, requiring 75% less than other common turf varieties.
Sir Grange Zoysia also known as Zeon Zoysia is a fine-bladed Zoysia matrella. It was hand-selected from over 10,000 different turf cultivar varieties. Sir Grange was developed by one of the largest turf grass breeders, Blade Runner Farms in Texas, by Mr David Douget. Bladerunner Farms has the largest privately owned zoysia grass research facility in the world.
This grass has been used on many world-famous projects such as the Rio Olympics Golf Course. It can be seen on several courses designed by Greg Norman and Tiger Woods. This turf type was originally developed for the golf industry, but it was soon discovered that due to its characteristics, it would make a fantastic home lawn!
Buffalo lawns, like Sir Walter DNA Certified, have become a top choice for Aussie backyards! They’re loved for being low-maintenance, shade-tolerant, and perfect for families with kids and pets. In this blog, we’ll share our expert tips to help you get the very best out of your buffalo lawn.
Buffalo grass will generally grow at a moderate pace. Not quite as fast as a kikuyu or couch lawn, but not as slow as Sir Grange Zoysia.
Generally, buffalo grasses like to be mown between 20 – 60mm high. Usually over winter, keep the height of cut a bit higher and mow lower over the warmer months. Buffalo is generally best mown with a standard rotary mower; however, it can also be mown with a cylinder mower (if it has a higher height of cut setting).
When mowing, it is best always to ensure your mower’s blades are sharp and never remove more than one-third of the leaf with each cut.
Should I Fertilise My Buffalo Lawn?
Buffalo grasses like Sir Walter DNA generally like to have three fertiliser applications a year. Once in spring, summer and again in autumn is ideal for a balanced feed.
When choosing the best fertiliser for buffalo grass, we recommend using Lawn Solutions Premium Fertiliser. This fertiliser blend has been specifically developed for buffalo grasses like Sir Walter DNA Certified, containing a balanced NPK ratio. This fertiliser also had a fast and slow-release granule, giving the lawn a good up-front boost, while continuing to feed the lawn for up to 12 weeks.
How Much Water Does a Buffalo Lawn Need?
Once fully established, a buffalo lawn will only need watering on an as-needed basis. In most regions, rainfall will be able to cover your lawns’ watering needs.
Buffalo grasses can show us some signs that they need water. These signs include:
Leaf curling up on itself
Dry or brown leaf
Wilted leaves
If you do need to irrigate your lawn, we recommend watering your lawn for longer, less frequently. By watering your lawn this way, you will help encourage your grass to become more drought-tolerant by encouraging the roots to grow deeper down into the soil base. We recommend watering your lawn in the morning, before the heat of the day, for around 20-30 mins. Avoid late afternoon and night waterings as this will cause your lawn to sit damp overnight, which can lead to fungal issues.
What Weed Killer Can I Use on a Buffalo Lawn?
When using weed killers on a buffalo lawn, such as Sir Walter DNA Certified, it’s essential to read the herbicide label before use to ensure compatibility with buffalo grasses.
The main herbicides that are not safe for use on buffalo lawns will usually contain Dicamba or DSMA as the active ingredients. These weed killers are commonly found in weed n feed products and herbicides designed to remove summer grass.
If you are unsure of the weed that you want to remove from your lawn, please check out our Ultimate Weed Guide for further information.
How Much Sunlight Does Buffalo Grass Need?
Buffalo grasses will generally have a good shade tolerance compared to other turf types, needing a minimum of three to four hours of direct sunlight per day. This makes it the ideal choice for many homes that need shade-tolerant options.
Can I Renovate Buffalo Grass?
Buffalo grasses can be renovated, but there are a few precautions that you will need to take to ensure that you don’t cause more damage than good.
As buffalo grass grows by its above-ground runners, it doesn’t have an underground rhizome like couch and kikuyu grasses to repair from. This means that when scarifying and dethatching, you need to ensure you don’t remove all the above-ground material.
A Lawn Care Workout Routine for a Healthy Lawn and a Healthy You
Now that the warmer weather is here, it is the perfect time to look at implementing a lawn care workout routine that works for both you and your lawn! In this blog, we take a look at a range of activities that will not only help you get fit but help your lawn get in its best shape for the warmer months ahead.
Getting the Right Nutrients
In some ways, we are just like our lawns! Just as we need the right nutrients to fuel our bodies and nourish us, so do our lawns. When looking at what fertilisers to use for your lawn, look for a fertiliser that has a well-rounded base of nutrients. For fertilising your turf, we recommend using our Lawn Solutions Premium Fertiliser. Our fertiliser has a balanced NPK ratio (Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium) aka the macronutrients your lawn needs of 16 – 0.7 – 4 and contains beneficial trace elements, including Sulphur, Calcium, and Iron.
Now that we have nutrients looked after let’s look at a few workouts that can get you and your lawn in shape.
How to Aerate Your Lawn
Aerating your lawn is a great way to help improve the performance of your lawn. It will help open the soil profile to allow for more air, water and nutrients to reach down into the soil profile. But did you know that the movement required to drive your garden fork or tyne aerator into the ground can help build muscle, including several back muscles, shoulders, arms, and legs.
To aerate your lawn with a garden fork or tyne aerator, drive the fork into the lawn and wriggle it back and forth to help fracture up the soil profile.
If you want to make aerating your area a bit easier or if your soil is particularly compacted, give your lawn a good water a day or two before aerating to help make the soil softer.
Mowing
If you want to improve your cardio skills, mowing your lawn is a great way to help you get your steps in for the day. A self-propelled mower can make mowing an easier task, but if you have the mower disengaged or are using a mower without a self-propelled function, it can increase the intensity of your lawn care workout.
When it comes to mowing and improving your health, consistency is key. The more frequently you mow your lawn, the healthier it will become.
Weed Removal
Another great way to help get your cardio in for the day is to get on top of weeds in your lawn. When it comes to most weed types, you can simply remove them by hand.
A walking lunge will allow you to both reach down to the grass to pull weeds out from your lawn but also target most major muscle groups in your lower body. Another great lawn care workout exercise that you can use is a walking sumo squat. This will target your glutes, quads, hamstrings, and calves.
If you want to incorporate more upper body muscles when removing weeds, you can even incorporate an army crawl, but you might want only to do this in the backyard away from your neighbours to avoid a few possible stares.
If you are after more lawn care tips and advice to get your lawn in shape for the warmer months ahead, check out our spring lawn care blog here.
Stampede Hybrid Buffalo is an enhanced variety of soft-leaf buffalo grass developed by Lawn Solutions Australia. This innovative strain is set to hit the market soon and is the result of decades of research and development by Texas A&M University, led by renowned turf scientist Dr. Ambika Chandra.
Lawn Solutions Australia is currently in a crucial phase of bringing Stampede to market. Several key turf producers across Australia are rapidly expanding stock to provide planting material to Lawn Solutions members nationwide. This phase is part of a broader process that every new certified turf variety must undergo before reaching the market. Following this strict process is essential to maintain the genetic purity of the stock as it is distributed. The process is outlined below.
Propagation Phase
Once a particular strain of grass is selected, initial propagation begins. This phase is highly manual and meticulous, involving the separation of individual runners, which are then cut and planted into cell trays. While tedious, the results are incredibly rewarding. Just one 8-inch pot of material can produce thousands of individual plants. Once cut and planted into the trays, these plants are placed into temperature- controlled hothouses to maximise growth speed, as time is always of the essence.
Foundation Establishment Phase
Once the cell trays have matured, they are removed from the hothouse and placed under green shade cloth to harden. This step is crucial because grass that has been grown in a hot, humid environment may struggle when transplanted into new soil. The plugs are generally kept under green cloth for 2–3 weeks before being sent to select foundation farms for planting and expansion. These foundation farms are Lawn Solutions Australia (LSA) members carefully chosen for their meticulous approach to turf expansion. They are in strategically select geographic locations for optimal performance assessment across a range of climates. Foundation farms must adhere to strict AusGAP (Australian Genetic Assurance Program for Turfgrass) protocols during this phase.
Foundation Stock Release Phase
This is where Stampede is currently in its expansion process. The foundation farms have been established, and the grass is growing in, ready to be harvested and sold to LSA members nationwide as registered stock. Before the grass is harvested and distributed, every square metre of the foundation fields is inspected and certified by AusGAP. The farms receiving stock must also conduct pre-plant audits to ensure the fields adhere to AusGAP standards. The foundation stock release is expected to take place over the next few months.
Release to Market Phase
Once each LSA member’s registered stock has matured, it will be available for sale to the market. This means that retail, trade, commercial, and sports turf customers will be able to purchase their very own Stampede Hybrid Buffalo grass from their local LSA supplier. We anticipate this will happen in August 2026, depending on weather conditions during the upcoming spring and summer.
As you can see, bringing a new turfgrass variety to market is a long and expensive process, but ensuring the purity of new strains is critical. To stay updated on the Stampede expansion and its release in your area, contact your local Lawn Solutions Accredited supplier.
With so many different lawn care products on the market, it can often be tricky to find out exactly what you need! In this blog, we are taking a closer look at three lawn care products that will provide your lawn with the best bang for your buck this spring.
What Fertiliser Should I Use on My Lawn?
As you may know, applying a well-rounded fertiliser to your lawn in spring will give it a healthy boost and set it up for the warmer months ahead.
The three key macronutrients found in most lawn fertilisers are Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium, commonly referred to as NPK.
Nitrogen is responsible for promoting healthy leaf growth and colour.
Phosphorus is responsible for root development.
Potassium aids in the overall function of the plant.
While macronutrients are key, it’s also important to look at micronutrients, which provide a more balanced boost for your lawn.
When it comes to choosing a fertiliser, our go-to product is Lawn Solutions Premium Fertiliser. It has a balanced NPK ratio of 16% N, 0.7% P, 4% K, along with trace elements including Calcium, Iron and Sulphur. This fertiliser also contains both fast and slow-release granules, delivering an immediate hit of nutrients as well as a sustained boost for up to 12 weeks.
Lawn Solutions Premium Fertiliser
Can a Pre-Emergent Herbicide Help My Lawn?
Pre-emergent herbicides are one of the most underrated products in the lawn care industry! Weeds in your lawn can not only impact your garden’s aesthetic but can also be a real nuisance if they continue to spread. This is where a pre-emergent herbicide like Oxafert can come in handy.
Oxafert Pre Emergent Herbicide
This style of lawn care products work by creating a barrier at the soil level, affecting weed seedlings’ ability to germinate, stopping them before it has a chance to grow in your lawn. These herbicides will generally target seasonal weeds including Summer Grass, Crab Grass/Crowsfoot, Creeping Oxalis and Winter Grass.
As these are seasonal weeds, they generally appear once there has been a change in the average soil temperature. For summer weeds, this period typically occurs as temperatures begin to warm up, usually around early to mid-spring. For winter weeds, this will be when temperatures are cooling back down, usually around mid to late autumn. The best time for your Oxafert application will be just before these temperature changes occur in your local area.
By adding a pre-emergent herbicide like Oxafert to your lawn care schedule, you will be ready to take your lawn to a new, weed free level.
Should I Use Acelepryn on My Lawn?
Acelepryn based products like Grub Guard Ultimate are another great lawn care product to help level up your lawn. These products are designed to help prevent a large range of common lawn pests that can cause significant damage to a lawn over a short period. These pests include Armyworm (which can eat through a lawn in a matter of days), Lawn Grub (African Black Beetle Larvae), Argentine Stem Weevil, Billbug Larvae and Sod Webworm.
Grub Guard Ultimate, powered by Acelepryn, is one of the safest insecticides available on the market, as it targets only damage-causing insects. It is safe for use around dogs, cats, bees, earthworms, and mammals.
Grub Guard Ultimate
When Grub Guard Ultimate is applied at the higher application rate, it will remain active on the lawn for up to 6 months. This means that two applications a year will provide you with year-round protection from damage causing insects. For best results, we recommend applying in September/October and reapply in March/April.
The application rate for Acelepryn for treating African black beetle, Argentine Scarab, Argentine Stem Weevil larvae and Billbug Larvae is 1-2kg per 100m2. After spreading the granules out evenly, then water in with a minimum of 3mm of irrigation. For Caterpillars including Cutworm, Armyworm, and Sod Worm, the application rate is 1kg per 100m2. After application, delay mowing and watering for 24 hours. After 24 hours have passed, water the granules in.
For more lawn care tips and advice or lawn care product recommendations, make sure you check out our other lawn care blogs.
Leaves are long and narrow with rounded, lobed edges
Typically produces white, pink and purple flowers when the plant is at maturity
When unmown, it can grow up to 1m tall
Has a taproot
Fleabane is a common broadleaf weed found in lawns, gardens, parklands, curb sides, and areas with disturbed soil. This weed spreads through its seeds, so controlling Fleabane before the plant matures is key to stopping its spread. In this blog we take a look at what Fleabane is, its key identifying features, plus the best way to remove it.
Characteristics
Fleabane is part of the Asteraceae family of plants. When this plant grows in unmown areas, it can reach a height of 1m, with long and narrow leaves featuring lobed edges. However, when growing in a lawn, it will generally stay at a lower height if the lawn is mown. It’s flowers are white, pink and purple, and will flower for most of the year. Fleabane’s flowers won’t produce petals but will turn white and fluffy as the plant matures.
Where Will it Grow?
Fleabane is a widespread weed that can be found in most regions of Australia.
How Does Fleabane Spread?
Fleabane only spreads by its seeds, which are produced at the centre of its flower. The seeds are around 1.5 – 2mm long and have a tuft of white fluffy material at the base of the seed. This fluffy material aids in wind dispersal, allowing it to travel long distances. The seed is also easily spread underfoot or by animals.
This weed is known to be a prolific seeder, with one plant having the ability to produce up to 110, 000 seeds! Therefore, getting on top of this weed as soon as you notice it growing is highly important in stopping its spread.
How Do I Remove Fleabane?
If there is only a small amount of Fleabane present, the best and easiest way to remove it is to simply pull it out by hand. While the plant is still young, the tap root will only be small, making this an easier task.
If the weed is more widespread and an herbicide is needed, we recommend using either our All Purpose Weed Control (safe on Buffalo lawns) or a Dicamba and MCPA based herbicide (not safe on Buffalo lawns) like Amgrow Multiweed.
All Purpose Weed Control will treat a broad range of lawn weeds including Bindii, Clover, Oxalis and Thistles, while being safe for use on a broad range of grass types including Soft Leaf Buffalo, Couch, Kikuyu, Zoysia, Rye and Fescue Lawns.
Getting on top of this weed early is key to preventing its spread, and ensuring your lawn is healthy and lush can help stop weed pressures. If you need some tips on helping thicken up your lawn to help prevent weeds, check out our blog on Why a Thicker Lawn is Better at Blocking Out Weeds.
For more lawn care tips and advice, make sure you check out our other lawn care blogs.
Have you ever seen a broadleaf grass with a wavy leaf invade your lawn, but not sure what it is or how to remove it? In this blog, we take a look at what Carpet Grass is, and the best way to remove it when it is growing within another lawn type.
Carpet Grass is a turf type that mainly grows in tropical regions of Australia. It is often referred to as “tropical buffalo grass”. Like buffalo grass, it only grows and spreads by its above ground stolons and has a broad leaf. This turf type loves hot weather with regular rainfall and will grow well in low fertility areas.
What Are Carpet Grasses Key Identifying Features?
Low growing
Broad, wavy leaf
Course textured leaf
Dense growth habit
Green to light green in colour
Where Does Carpet Grass Grow?
This is a popular lawn option for tropical regions as it thrives in hot and humid weather. This grass best grows during the wet season when there is increased rainfall; however, it will often struggle during the dry season when rainfall is limited.
This turf type is only considered an issue when it has invaded another lawn type. This is mainly due to the broadleaf standing out when growing in a finer leaf grass like couch grass.
If you do find some unwelcomed Carpet Grass growing within your lawn, here’s our guide on removing it.
How Do I Remove Carpet Grass from Growing in Couch Grass?
If you have a green couch lawn (such as TifTuf Hybrid Bermuda, Santa Ana, or Winter Green), a DSMA-based herbicide is safe to use on couch grass. These products can selectively target and suppress carpet grass in couch lawns, though multiple applications may be required. David Grays Crabgrass and Clover Killer is an excellent option for this purpose.
However, it’s important to note that while these herbicides may weaken carpet grass, they are not registered for complete eradication.
How Can I Remove Carpet Grass from Growing in Buffalo, Kikuyu and Zoysia Grass?
If it is growing within a buffalo, kikuyu or zoysia lawn, unfortunately removal options will be limited.
If only a small amount growing, the best and easiest way to remove it is by hand. Like buffalo, it won’t have a particularly strong root system, making hand removal easier.
If the area has become heavily infested and there is not much of the main lawn type growing in the selected area, you may want to consider returfing this section of grass. This will require you to spray out the invaded section of turf with a non-selective herbicide. Remove the old turf, and then install new rolls of the main lawn type. If you would like more information on how to patch up an area with new rolls of turf, please check out our blog here.
If there are only small areas where the invading grass is growing, another option will be to selectively apply a non-selective herbicide to the Carpet Grass, while avoiding applying it to the main lawn, as it will harm it also. We recommend using a small paint brush, a weed wand, or the Yates Zero Gel to help accurately apply it.
For more lawn care tips and advice, make sure you check out our other lawn care blogs here.
HOW AUSTRALIAN TURF PRODUCER TURFCO IS UTILISING ZOYSIA AS A SOLUTION FOR UNORTHODOX SPACES
Versatile, adaptable, low-maintenance, and highly durable, Zoysia grasses offer a lush, striking aesthetic. With these exceptional qualities, they have become a popular choice for both residential lawns and commercial landscapes.
Due to these excellent qualities, Zoysia grasses are being utilised in innovative applications and locations previously overlooked for turf.
Over the past 10 months, Turfco, a leading turf supplier on the NSW South Coast, has had the privilege of supplying two premium Zoysia varieties, Sir Grange Zoysia and Zoysia Australis, for a range of distinctive commercial projects.
Sir Grange Zoysia and Local Council Involvements
With resounding domestic success in home lawns and commercially with golf courses since its release in 2017, Sir Grange Zoysia has extended its appeal by becoming a favourable option for unsuspecting areas, particularly with local councils.
Grasses such as Kikuyu have traditionally been the preferred choice for government bodies and councils, primarily due to budget constraints, with Kikuyu offering upfront cost-effectiveness. However, the ongoing maintenance required for Kikuyu, accompanied by uncertainty about whether it is the most suitable grass for a given environment, can lead to long- term challenges in both maintenance and performance, resulting in significant ongoing expenses and resource demands.
There are many situations where Kikuyu can be the right grass choice. However, while it may be appealing from a budget perspective, its selection often reflects a lack of awareness about the benefits that alternative turf varieties can offer. When matched to the right environment, these alternatives can deliver advantages that outweigh the initial cost, resulting in greater long-term savings.
For turf growers and suppliers, there is always a focus on ensuring the right grass is selected and placed in the right location, ultimately benefiting all parties and contributing to long-term success.
Reframing local councils’ perspectives on turf has been a key goal for Turfco over the past five years. Turfco have successfully achieved this by hosting various educational events, including farm visits for council and local government agency members, as well as local landscapers.
In 2021, Turfco supplied Shellharbour City Council with Sir Grange Zoysia for a local roundabout. Previously, the roundabout featured high-maintenance plants that required frequent upkeep, leading to significant expenses for traffic control and posing safety risks for both workers and commuters.
To address these challenges, the council selected Sir Grange Zoysia to drastically reduce maintenance needs and enhance safety by minimising the need for workers to access the roundabout. This also helped limit traffic disruptions. The success of this project has led the council to incorporate Sir Grange Zoysia in multiple subsequent projects where plant maintenance costs were excessive.
In early 2023, Turfco supplied Shoalhaven City Council with Sir Grange Zoysia for the Bike Pump Track at Boongaree National Park. The original specification called for Kikuyu grass; however, upon completion of the track, the council realized that the steep embankments made mowing unsafe for maintenance crews.
As a result, Turfco was engaged to install Sir Grange Zoysia, allowing the area to remain unmown. Despite the challenges of a poor growing medium and heavily compacted soil necessary for maintaining the track’s structure, Sir Grange Zoysia has thrived. In the two years since its installation, the track has required virtually no maintenance, significantly reducing labour and resource demands—an outcome that has been highly beneficial for the grounds team managing the large complex.
Building on the council’s success with Sir Grange in roundabouts, in March 2025, the turf has now been installed in median strips along busy roads that were previously overgrown and difficult to maintain with Kikuyu.
By transitioning to Sir Grange Zoysia, these areas will now remain completely unmown, significantly enhancing kerb appeal while drastically reducing maintenance requirements along these busy stretches of road.
Sir Grange Zoysia at Menangle Park
In mid-2023, Turfco hosted a farm visit attended by Leigh Trevitt, a Landscape Advisor for Transport NSW. Leigh had taken the initiative to attend several information days and had seen the successes of unmown Sir Grange first-hand.
Bridge Abutments and other steep areas like this always pose issues to Landscape Designers and maintenance crews as they are very close to the highway and are quite steep and unpredictable to work on, posing several logistics and safety challenges when it comes to the installation and maintenance of a covering surface. With these challenges, there is also a high maintenance cost associated with these sites.
Following on from previous discussions and the site visits, Leigh had presented the Menangle Park Bridge Abutment as a potential site to use Sir Grange Zoysia. The site was ideal; it had a steep batter that was going to be expensive and difficult to maintain, and it was very prominent with a lot of eyes on it, so, it was a necessity to be aesthetically pleasing.
Joe Rogers from Lawn Solutions Australia closely worked with Leigh and his colleague Jason on an installation method using bio-degradable turf pegs and went over an establishment plan to ensure Sir Grange had the ability to establish a root system to maximise the chance of success.
In the winter of 2024, Turfco supplied and installed approximately 1,790m2 of Sir Grange Zoysia at the embankment beside the Hume Highway at Menangle Park. This project was completed intermittently over a 3-week period, with the delivery and installation taking approximately 4 full days. The project was unlike anything the Turfco Team has ever worked on in their nearly 40 years of business, with harnesses required to lay the turf across the steep surface.
Almost one year on and the site has been a success, thanks to the diligence from Transport NSW in ensuring the Sir Grange had enough irrigation to establish and the foresight from Leigh to use Sir Grange in this instance. Sir Grange is perfect for this site as it has greatly reduced the need for maintenance, has provided an environmentally friendly solution and it looks fantastic.
Zoysia Australis
Zoysia Australis is the latest, premium turf variety introduced to the Australian market by the Lawn Solutions Australia Network in early 2023. Despite being new to the industry, Zoysia Australis is already experiencing strong adoption in both residential and commercial applications. Turfco, an LSA member, commenced offering this variety to their customers in October 2023.
As a premium alternative to standard grasses like Kikuyu, Zoysia Australis stands out for its versatility, shade tolerance, low maintenance requirements, durability, and medium-textured appearance.
Zoysia Australis at Kurnell – McConnell Dowell Corporation
Between mid-September 2024 to February 2025, Turfco supplied and installed 7,750m2 of Zoysia Australis to the McConnell Dowell Kamay Ferry Wharves site compound at the Kurnell National Park.
Initially, the project specified an older variety of Zoysia japonica; however, upon Turfco’s recommendation, the original contractor agreed to trial Zoysia Australis as a superior alternative. Turfco is confident that Zoysia Australis will perform better in terms of wear and climate making it more suitable for the project. Turfco has seen increasing interest in transitioning from older Zoysia’s to Zoysia Australis, with all feedback so far being highly positive.
McConnell Dowell required an incremental demobilisation to facilitate a smooth handover to the public, with Turfco carrying out the turf installation in stages. The site, having been a construction zone for nearly 24 months, featured varying ground conditions; some areas had ideal sandy soil, and others had compacted, uneven soil from constant vehicle traffic. Throughout the discharge process, Turfco made multiple turf deliveries and site visits to ensure the installation was completed as construction areas were finished and ready for final touches.
When asked about the selected turf variety, Zoysia Australis, Luke from McConnell Dowell expressed complete satisfaction, along with gratitude towards Turfco and their services.
“My experience using Turfco has been excellent, they are receptive to short notice changes to schedules and quantities and have been able to suit our needs with a changing project deadline and a busy demobilisation from the site.
The delivered Zoysia Australis turf looks and feels fantastic. It is by far the softest grass that I have come across. It quickly took hold on sandy soil and looked very healthy with some minor attention given to it in its first weeks.
There was not a single roll of turf provided that was not fit for purpose or looked out of place. The installation team required little instruction and was devoted to getting their job done quickly and safely.
I would absolutely recommend Turfco for the supply and installation of their Zoysia grasses.” – Luke, McConnell Dowell
With over 30 years of experience in the turf industry, Caine James has built an extensive career spanning turf management, project management, sales, and product development. Caine’s formal qualifications in turf management and project management have enabled him to work on a variety of turf surfaces, including golf courses, cricket wickets, and sports grounds. Caine also spent 15 years in sales and product development with leading companies such as Nuturf and Amgrow, further expanding his expertise in turf solutions.
This experience has equipped Caine with a unique skillset to understand the challenges of turf professionals and how this relates to turfgrass production.
Caine’s most recent role was Operations Manager of Parks, Open Space, and Sportsgrounds at Maitland City Council in the Hunter Valley, where he spent six years overseeing the maintenance and construction of numerous sports grounds and turf cricket wickets.
One of his key projects was the Maitland Regional Sports Complex, where he played a pivotal role in the installation of TifTuf Hybrid Bermuda. This premium turf variety was chosen for its industry-leading reduced irrigation requirements (Smart Drop Certified), high wear resistance, exceptional recovery ability, and superior colour retention.
This resulted in surfaces that exceeded expectations and earned praise from local and national sports teams, as well as visiting athletes who played and trained on them.
The Australian turf industry thrives on quality, innovation, and sustainability. At the intersection of these crucial elements is turf certification, a leading force in achieving ongoing purity and ultimately the success of a brand. In Caine’s current role as an AusGAP (Australian Genetic Assurance Program for Turfgrass) Turf Inspector in partnership with Lawn Solutions Australia, Caine is uniquely positioned to elevate turf standards across Australia, ensuring excellence in both certification and market expansion.
Turf Inspection Meets Brand Strategy
The role of an AusGAP Turf Inspector is to ensure turf producers comply with the highest standards of production through ongoing inspections and auditing. This work is particularly vital in guiding the expansion of premium turf solutions for the sports turf and local government sectors.
Ensuring Excellence as an AusGAP Turf Inspector
An AusGAP Turf Inspector is responsible for overseeing the following:
Conducting rigorous inspections of turf farms to ensure compliance with certification standards.
Assessing turf quality, consistency, and adherence to best practices.
Providing detailed reports and recommendations for improvements in turf production.
The collaboration between AusGAP and ITGAP strengthens the Australian turf industry’s global credibility, ensuring that Australian-grown turf meets international quality benchmarks. Through this partnership, Caine helps maintain the integrity of Australian turf farms while ensuring long-term sustainability and market competitiveness.
Shaping the Future of Turf
Caine’s role for AusGAP focuses on educating the market about the benefits of certified turf solutions for local government projects and professional sports fields. With Caine’s experience, AusGAP is reinforcing its commitment to delivering high- performance, durable, and aesthetically superior turf surfaces.
Local Government Focus
Local governments play a vital role in providing resilient, visually appealing green spaces for public use. Caine champions premium turf brands such as TifTuf Hybrid Bermuda Grass and Sir Grange Zoysia as the premier choice for municipal projects, ensuring that public parks, streetscapes, and recreational areas feature turf that is:
Highly durable and resistant to heavy foot traffic.
Aesthetically consistent, maintaining lush greenery in all conditions.
Cost-effective, requiring low maintenance and reduced water consumption.
Sports Turf Solutions
For sporting venues, Caine ensures that turf solutions meet the rigorous demands of competitive sports fields and training grounds. By promoting newly developed cultivars like TifTuf Hybrid Bermuda Grass, he provides sports organisations with turf that:
High-Performance Turf for Sports Fields: TifTuf is specifically bred to withstand high foot traffic, intensive use, and the demands of competitive sports. Its strong root system and excellent wear tolerance make it an ideal choice for both training grounds and professional stadiums.
Surface Consistency: One of the key features of TifTuf is its ability to provide a consistent, uniform playing surface, ensuring that athletes have optimal conditions year-round. This is crucial in reducing injuries and ensuring consistent performance on the field.
Resilience and Recovery: TifTuf is known for its ability to quickly recover from damage, making it perfect for high- traffic sports fields that need to be in top condition at all times.
A Vision for the Future
The Australian turf industry is poised for growth in the coming years and a commitment to quality will be pertinent in achieving successful outcomes for turf management professionals.
Whether through meticulous certification processes or market expansion strategies, Caine’s influence is helping to shape the future of turf production and management in Australia.
