Household pets and kids are often the ones who will spend the most time out on the lawn, so it's important to find a grass type that can thrive while receiving lots of wear that will ensure your lawn will look and perform great in the future. This article will be a guide on things to consider before choosing which grass type to purchase.
What characteristics should I look for when choosing turf?
If you want to grow a lawn that's suited for pets and children, it's important to choose grass with a soft leaf that feels pleasant underfoot for the kids to play on, has a high wear tolerance, and has a fast-healing nature. These include types like Sir Walter DNA Certified and Tif Tuf.
Sunlight and Turf
If your garden or lawn is mostly in the shade, you need to be extra careful when selecting a turf type. You should invest in a grass type that is tolerant of low light levels if you don't want your efforts (and money) to go to waste. On the other hand, if the area you want to install turf gets plenty of sun, you will have more type options. Different types of shade can also include softer defused light from trees, nearby buildings, fabric gazebos and even reflected from windows. Be sure to track how the sun moves across the area for these shadows can be the difference between two very different types of grass, as some prefer direct light and others enjoy the defused light.
TifTuf Hybrid Bermuda
TifTuf Hybrid Bermuda is the ideal turf grass for high-traffic areas because it can rapidly repair itself from any damage, whether caused by children, pets, vehicles or regular wear and tear. This grass is loved not only for its fast-repairing nature but its beautiful soft fine leaf that feels great while barefoot.
Not only does this grass perform well but it also looks fantastic! TifTuf is a well-known grass in the turf industry for looking great, especially where other grasses fail! TifTuf can be mown as short as 5mm for a manicured look. For this reason, it has been the grass of choice across many sporting fields not only in Australia but across the globe! So if your kids love a hit of cricket in the backyard, this grass type is ideal!
TifTuf is the only grass in Australia to be awarded the Smart Approved Water Mark for its water-saving abilities both throughout its establishment and after. When choosing TifTuf Hybrid Bermuda we recommend that your area receives at least 5-6 hours of direct light. This variety's repairing nature can require a few extra mows throughout the warmer months as it grows at a quicker rate.
You can find more information on TifTuf Hybrid Bermuda here.
Sir Walter DNA Certified Buffalo
Sir Walter is the grass of choice for many Aussie families. This is a versatile grass with a beautiful low allergenic soft broad leaf well suited to the Australian climate.
This grass has a smooth green leaf that can endure damage from pets and children. Your lawn will appear lush with a dense-growing nature and a lush green leaf from Sir Walter! This thick-growing nature may also aid in the prevention of weeds from growing in your grass.
Sir Walter DNA Certified is a versatile grass that can handle full sun and shaded areas. It needs a minimum of 3-4 hours of direct light per day or scattered light throughout the day. This variety is low-maintenance grass. It is best mown between 30 to 50mm high, shorter during summer and longer in winter.
Sir Walter DNA Certified has stood the test of time since it was introduced to the market in 1997. It has remained Australia’s best buffalo grass.
If you would like to learn why Sir Walter is DNA Certified and what WALTER stands for, check out the background article here.
For more specific advice on choosing the best lawn to suit your family’s pets and kids, it is best to chat with our friendly team at Wallington's WRG. Come and visit us at 370 Grubb Road Wallington or shop online anytime at wallingtons.com.au