Plant profile
Lawn
Also known as Turf.
Lawn care depends on the grass type, climate and season. Feeding and renovation are most useful when the grass is actively growing.
- Grows well in
- Tropical, Subtropical, Temperate, Cool / mountains, Arid / inland, Mediterranean
- Lifecycle
- Perennial turf managed through seasonal growth cycles
- Light
- Full sun, Part shade
- Mature size
- Usually maintained at only a few centimetres tall, but unmown height varies widely depending on the turf species.
- Spacing
- Lay turf rolls or slabs edge-to-edge. For plugs or runners, spacing varies by species, but roughly 15–30 cm apart is common for establishing a lawn that will gradually fill in.
- Growth habit
- Dense, mat-forming perennial turf made up of grasses that may spread by stolons, rhizomes or both, depending on the species.
- Native range
- No single native range; lawn is a use category containing many turf-grass species
- Natural habitat
- Habitat depends on the grass species, from tropical savanna to temperate grassland and coastal ground.
When to plant
Warm-season turf grasses establish fastest while they are actively growing in warm weather, usually from spring into summer. Cool-season lawns are better established in mild autumn or spring conditions. Avoid trying to establish new lawn during extreme heat, drought or cold.
Planting
Choose a turf species suited to your climate, sun level, traffic and water availability. Establish new turf during a period when that grass type can actively root and grow.
Position and light
Sun requirements vary by grass species. Some turf types need full sun while others handle moderate shade.
Soil
Most lawns perform best in soil that drains well but holds enough moisture for roots. Correct severe compaction, drainage problems and uneven surfaces before expecting fertiliser to fix the lawn.
Watering
Water new turf often enough to keep roots from drying while it establishes. Established lawns usually do better with deeper, less frequent watering than constant light sprinkling, but climate, soil and grass species change the schedule.
Feeding
Feed mainly when the turf is actively growing. Use a lawn fertiliser at the label rate and avoid heavy feeding when the grass is dormant, heat-stressed or water-stressed.
Pruning
Mow often enough that no more than about one-third of the leaf blade is removed at once. Mowing height depends on the turf species and season.
Propagation
Lawns are established by seed, turf rolls, plugs, runners or stolons depending on the grass species.
Common problems
Compaction, thatch, poor drainage, scalping, shade, weeds, lawn grubs and fungal disease can all cause thin or damaged turf. Identify the cause before treating.
Safety notes
Keep people and pets off newly treated lawns for the period stated on any fertiliser, herbicide, insecticide or fungicide label.
Worth knowing
A lawn is not one plant species. Mowing height, shade tolerance, watering needs and growth rate depend heavily on which turf grass you have, so identifying the grass makes Brancho's care advice much more useful.
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How it grows around Australia
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