Turf, which type?

I need to put down some turf in a newly built IP. Yes I would rather pave or just go rock which I am doing for most area, however I need some turf, so what would you recommend as the best type? I am trying to avoid Kikuyu due to it taking over everything.

I'm considering either Santa Ana couch or Kakadu Buffalo as that is what is easily available. Pros and Cons of each? I believe it is probably not the best time of year for it, especially in VIC, need to work with the situation and make the best of it.

Hopefully I'll have some photos in a few weeks.

 

@Hodor

we just used Santa Ana couch at brother in law's and it felt really well. felt like we were on golf course.

Buffalo will be good too.. .less maintenance and self repairing grass.

 

I got Empress Zoysia after doing a bit of research. It has wider leaves than couch but narrower than Buffalo. It has deep green colour.
They grew well but requires less mowing, low nutrient & little water. It is green even in winter. We hardly used any weed killers in last 6 years.

 

+1 on the Empress Zoysia. Any of the soft leaf buffalo should do well, especially if you go onto water restrictions again as it doesn't require much water. Soft leaf buffalo include Sir Walter, Empress Zoysia, Palmetto, Sapphire etc.
If the area you are turfing has quite a lot of shade then one of them (or the other variants) is probably the best choice

 

We put Sapphire down 2 years ago. Very happy with it. Same results as the others are saying about Empress Zoysia. Either will make your rental property look sharp and there is a low maintenance factor once established. Maintains a deep green in cooler climates despite the odd morning frost.

 

Synthetic FTW.

 

Does it get full sun? Sir Wally is good in shady areas but doesn't like heavy foot traffic.

 

I wouldn't put synthetic turf on an IP.

 

How come?

Real stuff won't get watered or mowed

 

We have synthetic turf at home. It doesn't need any maintenance but you can't abuse it. Eg: Having pets or driving on it or use any machinery
It would be lot harder to replace any damaged part.

 

I'd say put any of the above mentioned buffalo's. Either Sir Walter, Matilda, Kakadu or Palmetto. Buffalo is tough, won't let weeds through and can take some abuse. Especially Matilda and Palmetto. Also these are decent in shade.
A research website did a study and found Palmetto the best overall. That is: shade tolerant, can take abuse, nice colour in winter and suffocates weeds. But is a bit pricey. If you don't want to spend too much try Kakadu or Matilda.
Stay away from Couch for an IP. It needs a lot of care and can't take abuse much. Also buffalo's are very strong at repairing themselves especially Palmetto and Matilda.

 

Ewwwwww! A green IP.

 

Hi guys, does anyone know what kind of turf this is?

Image by Ouga posted 25th Jun, 2015 at 4:04 PM

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Image by Ouga posted 25th Jun, 2015 at 4:04 PM

Have this in the backyard but there is a rather large patch with weed and other random grass growing.
We would like to seed that patch with the same kind of turf we have on the rest of the backyard as it's tough and lower maintenance : doesn't grow too fast.

Any help would be appreciated!

 

Looks like buffalo but nfi which hybrid.

 

I have ordered the Kakadu for the reasons given above (tough, lower maintenance, better in the shade). Will see how it looks and if it can survive a tenant.

 

Great choice Hodor.

 

The Kakadu has done really well so far, still looking green.

Next door is a different story, they got Sit Walter from Bunnings and it is brown and looks terrible/dying. I'm guessing the difference in results is mainly the laying process rather than a different variety of buffalo.

Differences I noticed were;

- I had my grass cut the day it was laid (not sitting in the garage for a week plus)
- Properly prepared base that was properly leveled
- Well watered after been laid

Here's a link to the backyard immediately after I laid it if anyone is interested

https://propertychat.com.au/community/attachments/img_20150706_121804-nopm-jpg.465/

 

Good stuff.
I've seen rolls of it sitting out the front of a house for days, and they wonder why it starts to go brown. It's not carpet.

 

Buffalo can cause allergies - as a side note

 

Empire Zoysia is a great grass. At home I have a male sterile kikuyu which is very hardy and requires little watering even in summer but stays lush and green all year round. Slow growing and has no seeds, so it is far less invasive than other types of kikuyu.

Something to note. Turf costs a fortune, and normal seeding is unreliable. I get aquaseeding done with excellent results. Basically they come and spray a green mud onto your prepared soil. The mud contains seed, fertiliser and other things to stop it blowing away and birds eating it. Last time I got it done was about 2 years ago it was $1 per meter.