Types of Grass in Australia

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Different grass types have different features like drought tolerance, resistance to temperature fluctuations and wear resistance.

The different grass varieties usually used in Australian backyards are Bermuda grass and Kikuyu. Other lawn grass options include Centipede grass, Zoysia grass, Kentucky Bluegrass, Couch grass, Sir Grange, Buffalo (Walter DNA certified), Eureka Kikuyu, Bluegrass and more. They grow well because they can tolerate extreme conditions such as excessive sunlight, and insect attacks. The best time to plant grass is during late spring and summer. Grass varieties include season grasses like warm-season grasses and cool-season. Different grass types have different features like drought tolerance (drought resistance), tolerance to temperature fluctuations, wear resistance and shade tolerance. The Couch grass and Zoysia grass help control soil erosion due to their natural root system. The different grass types can be defined by variations in the leaf blades.

Bermuda grasses

This grass variety is an easy-to-grow, heat-tolerant (drought tolerance) grass type that has good creeping characteristics making it ideal for sporting fields and backyard lawns. The Bermuda species of grass can tolerate both shade and drought conditions and prefers dry conditions. When properly maintained it does not usually need watering. In the early summer months look for tiny white or cream flowers in clusters on branching stems coming from nodes near the ground surface.

Kikuyu grass

The benefits of growing a lawn with Kikuyu grass includes being able to tolerate poor soil types (rocks and sand), shade and dry conditions. It is also one of the most tolerant varieties to weeds, insects and diseases, especially in areas with high rainfall. This grass is usually planted in backyards or sports fields because it has excellent creeping characteristics.

Extreme climate areas and less fertile soil are best suited to Kikuyu.

What does Buffalo grass look like?

Buffalo has light green to deep green leaves yet retains a blue-grey colour around the base. This type of grass can tolerate extreme conditions such as heavy traffic, as well as drought conditions. Buffalo cannot take over-watering as it is not able to recover from fungal diseases in wet conditions.

A Buffalo grass lawn should be mowed regularly but cutting the grass too short will make it hard to sustain, as the roots are not deep. This grass species spreads rapidly once established in your garden or backyard and the seed heads tend to fall off during late summer months.

How to identify Kikuyu grass

Kikuyu grass has 'toothed' leaves and long narrow blades. It produces white, feathery flowers between October and January, normally around 35-40 mm in length. This type of grass is best planted in full sunlight and grows well in moist soils with a pH level of 6.5. It spreads out quickly, making it good for covering a large area or wide-open spaces such as sports fields or golf courses. Juvenile Kikuyu grass looks much different from the adult grass and has a blue-grey colouring.

What is synthetic grass?

Synthetic grass or artificial turf is a manufactured grass usually used in sports fields. The synthetic grass blades are made from polyethylene which has short fibres that are around 2.5mm long and 0.7mm wide. These fibres are also strong, yet smooth enough to allow a ball to slide easily. Synthetic grass can tolerate sun and foot traffic and has excellent winter dormancy.

A synthetic lawn needs little maintenance and when it rains it does not get muddy. It does not wear out easily and is ideal to be used in high traffic areas such as sports fields, sidewalks or parks. Synthetic grass can also withstand extreme weather conditions such as drought and too much sunlight making it the best alternative for natural grass lawns.