Perth’s hot, dry and sometimes unpredictable climate means that choosing the right turf variety for your backyard might be a little tricky. It is important that the turf you choose to lay in your yard is suited to the Perth climate. To make a decision, it is best to consider your backyard type, how much sun or shade the lawn will receive, the available water, and how frequently your lawn will be used. At Carabooda Lawn, we offer five different types of lawns: Carabooda Kikuyu, Windsor Green, Wintergreen, Sir Walter Buffalo and Matilda Soft Buffalo. All of our turf is grown to thrive in the Perth climate. Read on to discover which Perth turf is ideal for your backyard.
What Makes a Perth Turf Low Maintenance?
Water requirements
Some lawns require more water than others, which can be difficult living in Perth, as some areas are more drought-prone. Understanding how much water is available to consistently maintain your turf is key to knowing which is right for you. We recommend using a soil wetting agent such as Aquaforce during the warmer months to combat your soil becoming hydrophobic, as often evaporation is higher than the amount of water being applied to your soil, which then impacts the performance of the turf variety you are growing.
Mowing requirements
To keep your lawn looking good, mow it once a week during the warmer months, when the turf is actively growing, and soil temperatures are higher. It is important that mowing blades are sharp so you don’t bruise the leaf, which can create disease and that you have the right mower for the job. It is always better to mow regularly, reducing leaf height, than to put the plant into shock by scalping the lawn too short. You may consider using a professional turf maintenance contractor who is also licensed for any herbicides/insecticides that may be required from time to time.
Sun and shade tolerance
Understanding how much sun or shade your yard receives can help to identify which Perth turf is ideal for you, as different turfs thrive in different levels of sunlight. Perth can be very hot and windy, so it is important to plant your turf variety in an area that receives at least 4 hours of filtered sunlight daily. Plants always grow towards the sun, so if your turf is not getting adequate sunlight, it will not perform well and will become sparse. Buffalo varieties such as Matilda and Sir Walter have a wider leaf and therefore absorb more sunlight, which is why they are recommended for shaded areas. Couch varieties such as Wintergreen and Windsor Green thrive in hot temperatures; however, due to their narrow leaf, they are dormant during Winter. Kikuyu is advantageous in Winter, as it outcompetes the Winter weeds, but it is quite invasive; hence, it is mainly used in parks, school ovals, or rural properties, where it is maintained on a regular basis.
Wear tolerance
If your family has kids or pets, it is worth considering the wear tolerance of the Perth turf varieties. Some turf is bred to withstand heavy foot traffic, whereas others perform better as a decorative feature. Always choose a couch variety such as Wintergreen or Windsor Green for these areas.
Growth habitat
Living in Perth, especially in the suburbs where it stays pretty dry, turf that follows a deep root system thrives better. This is because deep roots can tap into soil moisture reservoirs located a bit deeper in the soil, making this turf ideal for drought-prone areas. Buffalo varieties require a good moisture level in the top of the soil profile, as they have a shallow root system, and it is important to never mow buffalo too low, as the leaf protects the horizontal runners from drying out in the hot sun.
Choosing the Best Turf Option for Perth Yards
Windsor Green and Wintergreen
If you have identified that your backyard receives a lot of sunlight, Windsor Green or Wintergreen will likely be the best low-maintenance options for you.
Low-maintenance features:
- Low watering requirement
- High wear tolerance
- Deep root system
- Full-sun preference
- Medium mowing requirements
With a deep root system, these Perth turfs require only 30mm of water per week to thrive, making them perfect for backyards in hot, dry climates. Another benefit of these turf varieties is their tolerance for heavy foot traffic. If your yard will be used by kids, pets, or just general backyard events, these lawn types are resilient and do not wear from heavy use. Of all the different turf varieties, however, this turf benefits from regular mowing during the warmer months. When they are dormant in the Winter, you are looking at mowing every 2-5 weeks, but during the warmer months, it will be around once a week (depending on preference).
Sir Walter Buffalo and Matilda Soft Buffalo
These buffalo turf types are shade-tolerant varieties, meaning that if your yard is partially covered throughout certain periods of the day, they will still thrive.
Low-maintenance features:
- Low mowing requirements
- Only requires 3 to 4 hours of filtered sunlight daily
Compared to Wintergreen and Windsor Green, Sir Walter Buffalo and Matilda Soft Buffalo have higher water requirements, as they depend on moisture in the top of your soil profile. They benefit from using soil wetting agents during the warmer months, when evaporation rates are high. Regular light mowing is recommended as buffalo varieties do not cope well with a harsh mow. It is important not to over-fertilise buffalo varieties, as they can become thatched/spongy, which is difficult to combat. Matilda soft buffalo performs very well even along the coast, where you get salt carried in the breeze or around pool areas.
Carabooda Kikuyu
As one of the higher-maintenance lawn types, Carabooda Kikuyu is best suited for school ovals, parks and rural properties as it thrives year-round.
Low-maintenance features:
- Thrives in filtered sun and performs very well in Winter
Carabooda Kikuyu grows prolifically, especially when it gets plenty of water and temperatures are mild. Kikuyu has a lush appearance and has beautifully soft leaves, but it is not recommended if you are looking for a low-maintenance or non-invasive option.
Which Turf is Best for your Backyard?
To summarise, here is a quick rundown to help you identify which Perth turf variety is best for your yard.
Choose Windsor Green if:
- Your backyard gets full sun
- Don’t have time for excessive watering
- Children or pets will use the yard regularly
Choose Wintergreen if:
- Your backyard gets full sun
- The lawn will be used frequently
- Water efficiency is important
Choose Sir Walter Buffalo if:
- The backyard doesn’t receive full sun
- You like the aesthetics of a buffalo lawn
- Children or small pets will use the yard
Choose Matilda Soft Buffalo if:
- Your yard has a pool, or you are by the coast
- Your lawn receives some shade
- You’re after a broad leaf variety rich in colour
Choose Carabooda Kikuyu if:
- Your lawn is on a rural property
- You need hard-wearing turf
- You are prepared for more maintenance
Want to Get the Turf Right for Your Perth Yard?
Choosing the right turf can be tricky, but talking to the experts here at Carabooda Lawn will make the process a lot easier. Carabooda Lawn is a popular Perth Turf Farm that stocks grass rolls of varying varieties, perfect for your residential or commercial project. If you are looking for a turf farm near you, then look no further than Carabooda Lawn, the preferred supplier of Turf in Perth. Have a chat with the team today to figure out which Perth turf variety is best suited to your yard.
