Did you know that not all grass is the same? There are actually two different types of grass, warm season and cool season. Cool season grasses will continue to grow and retain their colour throughout the cooler months. Whereas warm season varieties slow down in growth and lose some colour when the cooler temperatures hit.
Warm season are known as C4 grasses and cool season grasses are known as C3 grasses. The C3 & C4 reference refers to carbon, and the number represents how many carbon atoms within each compound. This is where they receive the characteristics synonymous with each type.
Warm season grasses
Warm season varieties include Couch, Kikuyu, Buffalo, and Zoysia grasses. These are the most common varieties found across Australia as they are suited to the hot Australian summers and relatively warm winters.
Cool season grasses
Cool season varieties include Fescue, Ryegrass, Kentucky Bluegrass, and Bent grass. These grasses grow in far South areas of Australia where temperatures can get quite low.
Warm season and cool season colouring
Warm season grasses can hold their colour well throughout the warmer months. When the temperatures start to cool, they will lose some of their green colour. This occurs as the grass is unable to absorb enough sunlight to produce chlorophyll. However, this discolouration does not mean that the lawn is dying but is simply sitting dormant. Once the temperatures begin to warm up the grass will be able to produce chlorophyll again and return in colour.
This is the opposite for cool season grasses. Cool season varieties love the cold weather, but when the temperatures begin to warm back up, they will wilt and lack the vigour that they had throughout winter. There are some cool areas of Australia where these grasses can thrive, but this is not the case the majority of Australia.
A solution to this discolouration of warm season grasses in winter is to apply a pigment product like ColourGuard Plus. ColourGuard Plus will improve the colour of your lawn instantly. It is easy to use, works on all lawn types, and can be used year-round.
Watering
Most warm season varieties once established will be able to thrive on mostly rainfall with additional watering’s when required. On the other hand, cool season varieties will need a substantial amount of water to survive compared to warm season varieties.
Oversowing with a cool season variety
Oversowing with a cool season variety is increasing in popularity for those with couch lawns. This is commonly done with rye grass so the lawn can continue to look nice and green throughout the cooler months. Once the rye grass has germinated the lawn will only need minimal additional watering’s. This practice of overseeding couch turf is a popular practice for sporting fields over the cooler months. This keeps the playing field greener over the cooler months when the couch grass enters dormancy. When the warmer temperatures start to settle back in, a selective herbicide is then used to remove the rye grass.
What turf variety is best suited for you?
For far south regions of Australia, you can instal a cool season variety as the climate is a lot cooler than the rest of Australia. However, when choosing the best variety for your location there are a few other factors to consider. These are wear, shade tolerance, and maintenance required. If you are in a far south region and are wanting to use a warm season variety, have a look at TifTuf Hybrid Bermuda. TifTuf can retain its colour better than other warm season grasses throughout the cooler months. This grass is also able to withstand high wear and has a superior drought tolerance! These qualities make TifTuf a great choice if you are wanting to choose a warm season variety without a dramatic colour loss in winter.
For more specific information on choosing the best turf variety to suit your climate and family, have a chat with your local turf supplier. You can find who they are and their contact details here.
You can check more helpful lawn care blogs and advice here.
