South Africa is generally dry and temperatures can escalate quickly. However, every Province seems to come with its own climate, and when wanting to get your lawn into “ship shape” there are a few grasses that are hardy and able to take a beating.
When planting grass, remember to consider grasses that are indigenous and water-wise outside of expected rain season, especially out here in the Midlands, says Sean Granger, General Manager of Granny Mouse Country House & Spa.
Here are a few options to consider when looking to purchase and plant grass:
• LM Berea is indigenous to South Africa and found in KZN and through to Mozambique. This particular grass performs really well in shady to semi-shaded spaces, but does also thrive in the sun. The name derives from the former name of Maputo (Lourenco Marques) and Berea which is a well-known suburb in eThekwini. It’s extremely heat-tolerant and recovers well after a drought, or extremely hot days. This grass can grow well from seed and grows via creeping habits.
• For bigger landscaping areas, Princess Grass is an indigenous fine-textured grass variety. It is often used for sports fields and golf course fairways. It grows very well in full sun, is drought, heat and wear resistant, making for easy maintenance.
• Buffalo Grass is indigenous and water-wise, and the beauty of it is it is also tolerant to sun and semi shade. It’s a perennial creeper and grows naturally in most coastal areas, including the Cape region. This grass tends to form a dense, coarse, matt look and the leaves are prominently flat. They also grow in many different types of soil and inlands make up much of lawns.
• Another option is Kikuyu Grass, which originates from Kenya and is named after the Kikuyu people. It is a popular, affordable choice. It does need more water than the above grass cultivars but grows incredibly quickly. It feels soft underfoot and is bright green in colour. This grass also grows well with LM Berea and can be combined.
Another great tip for summer sun lawns is to get yourself a good lawn mower. But don’t overdue the cutting, as shearing too short will expose the roots, and your grass roots will then be unable to absorb sufficient amounts of water and nutrients. Also, don’t waste your lawn cuttings, but rather use them for food for roses as well as a fantastic base for compost. It’s a cost effective way of feeding your garden. Supplement that with organic waste from your kitchen, that of vegetable peelings (not onion), eggshells and even coffee grinds that are rich in nutrients and easy on your wallet.
Each of the above grass options are different in growth patterns, and are not the same, so when selecting your grass, remember to research the best way to take care of your lawn for many years to come.
If you need inspiration, what better place to visit than Granny Mouse, where our lawns are nurtured, respected and loved. For more information on your first or even next visit contact us on www.grannymouse.co.za
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