When selecting the best lawn variety for your situation and needs several factors should be considered so that you purchase the most suitable one. Be informed and educate yourself as you are spending a great deal of money. At present, there are many wonder' turf varieties on the market promising the world. Many of these have only recently been released and, in our opinion, have not been tested in south east Queensland adequately. Consider
Do you wish to choose a turf variety that will suit your situation and needs?
Unfortunately, some turf varieties are sold which are not suitable for a particular situation or need. Take care to research well and be aware that some turf farms simply wish to make a sale this will prove to be very expensive and frustrating to you. Some turf farms do not possess the ability to grow particular turf varieties and will simply sway you to another variety which they do grow or can source.
Do you wish to purchase a turf which is pure in species?
There are no standards in the turf industry. Are you willing to accept a lawn which may include unwanted grasses or weeds such as bindii? Remember A' grade on one turf farm can be the same quality as cover turf on another turf farm. Some turf farm/suppliers do not grow the turf they are supplying but simply purchase from elsewhere they are unable to guarantee the quality. Most Queensland Blue Couch sold is a mixture of blue couch and green couch. Clifton Park Turf Supplies offers 100% pure species Queensland Blue Couch, Aussiblue, Sweet Smother and Palmetto.
How much sun/shade will your site receive?
Consider the approximate percentage of direct sunlight and filtered sunlight received by your site at different times of the year, especially in the winter months unfortunately, some turf farms sell couch turf varieties for the shade you will be wasting your money. Couch varieties (both blue and green) need 6-7 hours of sunlight per day to grow to their optimum. Aussiblue, because of its broader leaf, is proving a little more shade tolerant that other couch varieties. Sweet Smother is the most shade tolerant turf variety sold in south-east Queensland with Palmetto coming a close second.
How much traffic will your site receive?
Consider the amount of foot and pet traffic. Perhaps a path or stepping stones may be needed for heavy traffic. Because lawns grow slower during the winter months, the lawn can be worn away more quickly.
How much maintenance do you wish to do?
Different turf varieties require varying degrees of maintenance to sustain a healthy and attractive appearance. Green couch lawns with hybrids such as Greenlees Park, Wintergreen, Legend, Santa Anna or CT2 need more maintenance than Queensland Blue Couch or Aussiblue especially if well fertilised in the summer months. To remain attractive, green couches may need to be mown twice a week whereas Queensland Blue Couch and Aussiblue would only need to be mown once per week. You can go for a holiday and when you return and mow the blue couch varieties, they will still look great!! Of the more popular soft-leaf buffalo lawn varieties sold in our area, Palmetto needs by far the least mowing weekly in summer and monthly in winter. Sweet Smother also needs mowing weekly in summer and monthly in winter.
Do you prefer a broad-leaf or a fine-leaf lawn?
Couch and zoysia lawn varieties have finer leaves than Sweet Smother or the soft-leaf buffalo lawn varieties.
How much water do you wish to use?
Some lawn varieties require different watering requirements than others once again, educate yourself as there is varying information in the turf industry. The most important factor (whatever lawn variety used) is to establish the deepest root system possible. Much information with regards water use of lawns is grossly overstated and has not been tested reliably and adequately. Queensland Blue Couch and Aussiblue are known to spring back very quickly when rain falls after a dry spell. Not matter what lawn variety you use, it would be wise to use water saving crystals to lower water usage.
What is the soil type and how much preparation are you prepared to do?
Some lawn varieties will grow in a range of soil types, others will not. Sweet Smother will grow beautifully in 10 cm (ideally 15 cm) of a freely draining soil such as sandy loam but will not perform well in a poorly drained situation. Palmetto will perform in a poorly drained situation. Most turf varieties prefer a freely draining soil for root development. We recommend sandy loam as a suitable soil for lawns. There are many turf underlay soil mixes on the market educate yourself about the content of these mixes to ensure that they are suitable for turf.
