What turf is right for your garden?

One of the main reasons people buy a particular type of lawn is for the way it looks and how green it is. When planning a new lawn you must think about what you are using it for. Will it be used as a decorative area with occasional outdoor entertaining, or a game of backyard cricket or will it be an area of high intensity use for the kids and pets to run around on? Buffalo and Kikuyu lawns look fantastic and require reasonably low maintenance and are hard wearing. Couch on the other hand, requires more care and although popular for sporting fields and parks, it browns in winter. Another factor in choosing the right turf is the shade levels. Kikuyu and couch require full sun and very little shade, whereas Sir Walter and Sapphire tolerate up to 40% shade and filtered light.

When is the best time to install new turf?

The best time for turf installation is in spring, or very late summer and early autumn after the more intense summer heat has passed. This time of year provides the optimal conditions for root and shoot growth in the new lawn because of the warmth that is present in the soil but slightly cooler days reduce evaporation. Lawns that are laid during summer are difficult to establish as it can be too hot and will need constant watering to offset the hot and dry conditions. In early autumn the warmth is still present in the soil allowing for the turf to take root before the dormant period in winter.

do i need turf underlay?

It is important to prepare the area to be turfed prior to laying the new turf. Turf will struggle to thrive in poor soil. ANL’s Turf Underlay will assist with root growth and turf development. Turf Underlay should be laid at a minimum depth of 45mm and up to 75mm. When planting out a new lawn you are looking for optimal drainage from the site. A sandy loam is perfect for laying your new lawn. If you are planting into a very poor sandy soil you will need to look at improving the water holding capacity of the soil by adding organic matter this will allow the soil to hold more water and make lawn maintenance easier. If you have a heavy clay base you need to address areas where water will pool particularly in autumn by improving the drainage. A 1% slope on the surface will encourage excess water to run off so if you have 10 metres you are looking to achieve a fall of 10cm across from one side to the other. The addition of Turf Underlay will help you achieve this and it will improve the soil quality and promote optimal growth and establishment of your new lawn. Prior to rolling out your new turf the addition of Katek Supergrass Lawn Fertilizer at the rate of 1kg per 10m2 to the surface of the Turf Underlay and then lightly raked in will guarantee a great start to the new lawn. Once the new turf is in place you can water in with a seaweed solution to help reduce transplant shock and promote root growth. Liberally apply water to the new turf once laid and then water lightly every day either in the early morning or late afternoon for the first week.

What else do I need to consider ?

To further understand what turf is best for your garden, there are a few key questions you have to ask yourself:

1. How many hours of direct sunlight will it have?
2. What’s the climate?
3. Will the turf have frequent traffic, children, pets?
4. How much time would you give to maintain your lawn?
5. Is your lawn for ornamental or recreational use?
6. What is your soil and drainage structure like?
   
   
   

Matilda Buffalo

A semi-dwarf leafed buffalo that holds its soft texture all year round. Matilda’s leaf has a smooth, silky texture front and back and maintains a magnificent colour throughout summer and winter. Matilda is drought tolerant and wear resistant making it one of the toughest, softest lawns for year round use.

Matilda handles part shade up to 60% and sub zero temperatures, It is a stunning lawn designed to handle Australia’s harsh and constantly changing climate. Its dense fibrous root system will help establish your lawn rapidly, minimizing water use and saving you time. Note - Matilda’s softness makes it one of the more pet friendly lawns.

Benefits

• One of the softer, smoother Buffalo grasses on the market.
• Perfect for children and pets alike.
• More tolerant to shade than most other turf types.
• Very quick to grow and establish itself.

Additional information

• Climate: High drought and frost tolerance 
  
• Shade Tolerance: High
  
• Soil Type: Grows well in most soil types
  
• Texture: Soft leaf, pet and child friendly 
  
• Maintenance: Low
  
• Wear Resistance: Excellent
  
• Sun/Shade?: Prefers a mix of shade and sunlight

Sir Walter - DNA certified

Developed In Australia for Australia’s harsh climactic conditions, Sir Walter DNA Certified is a broad, soft leaf buffalo grass that requires little maintenance. Sir Walter DNA Certified is extremely drought tolerant for those harsh dry spells and frost tolerant for country winters, making it an excellent choice all year round. Sir Walter’s deep green colour, soft touch and high resilience to traffic make it perfect for entertaining and family activities involving kids and pets. Sir Walter is Australia’s most popular grass and is produced under strict Australian guidelines. Sir Walter is AusGAP certified and pre-harvest tested for uniformity and purity.

Benefits

• Resistant to wear and tolerant to shade.
• Low maintenance
• Soft, lush feel and vibrant rich colour.
• Highly resilient during periods of drought or frost.
• Australian grown and designed
• Grows and establishes quickly.

Additional information

• Climate: Both frost and drought tolerant. Perfect all year round.
  
• Shade Tolerance: Medium 
  
• Soil Type: Prefers sandy loams 5.2-7.5pH
  
• Texture: Smooth, low irritant leaves 
  
• Maintenance: Low 
  
• Wear Resistance: High 
  
• Sun/Shade?: Requires 30%-100% sun
  

Kikuyu

A medium broadleaf lawn, with the most vigorous growth rate of lawns. It is a very durable lawn which will tolerate dry spells. Kikuyu is an attractive hard wearing lawn suitable for homes, schools, sports fields, commercial and semi-arid areas. Poor and sparse growth will occur in shady areas. One of the most economical, least expensive available.

• Climate: Better suited to warm, full sun climates. Poor growth in shady areas.
  
• Shade Tolerance: Low
  
• Soil Type: Grows well in mot soil types, handles water-logging. 
  
• Texture: Medium soft leaf
  
• Maintenance: Medium due to rapid growth
  
• Wear Resistance: Excellent  
  
• Sun/Shade?: Handles moderate shade, prefers sun
  

Sapphire buffalo

A fine texture soft leaf buffalo, until this variety buffalo has been slow growing and shallow rooted, but sapphire is different. It is perhaps the number one fine textured, fast growing and quick recovering from wear buffalo grass in the world.
Sapphire has excellent disease tolerance and great winter colour. Sapphires tight mat leaves very little room for weeds to grow. It grows well in moderate 50% shade to full sun and has good salt tolerance, Recommended for residential and commercial lawns and parks. Drought tolerance is excellent once established, due to its deep root system.

• Climate: High drought and frost tolerance 
  
• Shade Tolerance: Medium shade tolerance (40%) 
  
• Soil Type: Grows well in most soil types 
  
• Texture: Fine, soft texture
  
• Maintenance: Low- medium
  
• Wear Resistance: Excellent 
  
• Sun/Shade?: Does best with up to 60% shade and filtered light.
  

Shademaster buffalo

• Climate: High salt tolerance, ideal for coastal locations
  
• Shade Tolerance: Excellent 
  
• Soil Type: Grows well in most soil types 
  
• Texture: Broad, soft leaves
  
• Maintenance: Medium 
  
• Wear Resistance: Medium-High 
  
• Sun/Shade?: Most shade tolerate grass
  

wintergreen couch

Wintergreen Couch is a semi dwarf improved selection of a warm season grass, which has fine stolons and leaves and a denser profile than Greenlees Park Couch, giving it a better wear tolerance. It also has a dark green leaf with an aqua appearance however, it has a tendency to thatch. Winter Green Couch thrives in full sun as it’s a fine leaf lawn and has a low shade tolerance. It is a drought tolerant, hard wearing lawn that forms a dense matt. It requires moderate fertilising, watering and mowing to maintain good appearance and durability.

• Climate: Medium drought resistance, loses colour in winter 
  
• Shade Tolerance: Low 
  
• Soil Type: Prefers sandy loams 5.0-7.5pH
  
• Texture: Medium to fine leaf
  
• Maintenance: Low-medium
  
• Wear Resistance: High 
  
• Sun/Shade?: Full sun
  

If you’re still worried about which turf is right for your garden, feel free to consult one of our friendly ANL staff members. They will ensure you’re getting the best turf available and suitable for your application or area.