WARM SEASON GRASS

SOIL PREPARATION

Warm Season: Soil Preparation

Before planting, soil should be moistened to a depth of 15cm. Dig the area over thoroughly, to a depth of at least 15cm. The area must be levelled carefully as it is very difficult to correct levels after the grass has been laid.

HANDLING OF INSTANT LAWN

Although the sods are well knitted together, careful handling is desirable. Do not leave sod in sun for long periods. For best results, Warm Season Grasses should be laid within 12 hours of delivery.

WATERING MAINTENANCE FOR ESTABLISHMENT PHASE

Warm Season: Watering Maintenance for Establishment Phase

Water immediately after planting, sufficiently to moisten the soil to a depth of 11 – 20mm. In hot months every day, in the morning and afternoon for 2 weeks or until the grass is established.

In cool months, every day, mornings only for 2 weeks or until the grass are established: Do not water later than 2pm so that the grass can dry off before night falls. Although adequate watering is very important, over watering and “puddling” must be avoided. Different types of soil must be taken into consideration

FERTILIZER MAINTENANCE

Since Warm Season grass grows most actively in Spring & Summer, this is when it needs to be fertilized most. It is beneficial to scarify Warm Season lawns first in spring when an application of 5:1:5 can be introduced onto the roots at 50g / m². Lawns do best when fertilized “little and often”. Grass growing in sandy soil needs to be fertilize more often than that growing in a clay soil, since the nutrients leach out far more readily in the first instance.

Conventional or controlled (slow) release fertilizer can be used. General fertilization recommendation as follows:

WHEN TO ESTABLISH

• Instant Lawn: All year round
• Sprigs: Preferably do not sprig in winter months on the Highveld
• Instant Lawn: All year round

WHEN TO MOW

As soon as the sod is firmly secured to the ground, mowing can begin by removing no more than ⅓ of the leaf length. For further information on mowing heights, please refer to the maintenance section.

GULF GREEN

• Cynodon Variety
• (Cynodon is a genus of plants in the grass family. It is native to warm temperate to tropical regions of the Old World, as well as being cultivated and naturalized in the New World and on many oceanic islands.)
• Indigenous
• Fine leaf texture
• Bright green in colour
• Good tolerance of drought
• Slightly shade tolerant
• Suits wide range of soil types
• Fast establishment rate
• Excellent wear ability
• Cut regularly in summer
• Goes dormant on the Highveld in winter
• Requires a minimum of 6 hours of sunlight per day to thrive

KIKUYU

• Most widely used variety
• Vigorous grower
• Suitable for full sun, not shade tolerant
• Bright green in colour
• Coarse leaf texture
• Good recovery from drought
• Suits wide range of soil types
• Fast establishment rate
• Excellent wear ability
• Cut regularly during summer
• Goes dormant on the Highveld in winter
• Requires a minimum of 6 hours of sunlight per day to thrive

LM

• Indigenous
• Bright green in colour
• Coarse leaf texture
• Poor tolerance of drought and cold (high water usage)
• Good tolerance of shade
• Suits wide range of soil types
• Fast establishment rate
• Fair wear ability
• Frost Sensitive

TIFFSPORT

• Cynodon Variety
• Bred from indigenous parent varieties
• Dark green in colour
• Fine leaf texture
• Good tolerance of drought and cold
• Fair tolerance of the shade
• Suits a wide range of soil
• Moderate establishment rate
• Good wear ability
• Successful on sports fields and home gardens
• Goes dormant in winter
• Top performer on the NTEP Trials for 12 Years in the USA
• Approved by FIFA for Soccer Fields

COOL SEASON GRASS

SOIL PREPARATION

Cool Season: Soil Preparation

Before planting, soil should be moistened to a depth of 15cm. Dig the area over thoroughly, to a depth of at least 15cm. The area must be levelled carefully as it is very difficult to correct levels after the grass has been laid. Apply 4:3:4 (36) (or a similar fertilizer) at a rate of 5kg / 100m² and rake into the top 2cm of the soil.

Roll the area lightly to make sure that all bumps and hollows are exposed and correct before laying the sod. When laying, make sure that the sods are carefully butted together. After laying, roll the area lightly to ensure good soil/sod contact and water well.

WATERING MAINTENANCE FOR ESTABLISHMENT PHASE

Cool Season: Watering Maintenance for Establishment Phase

When establishing Cool Season Grasses, the following watering programme is recommended. Warm months, 4 times a day (6am, 9am, 11am, 2pm). In cool months, 2 times a day, early morning and midday. NB: Do not water later than 2pm so that the grass can dry off before night falls. Although adequate watering is very important, over watering and “puddling” must be avoided. Different types of soil must be taken into consideration.

HANDLING OF INSTANT LAWN

Although the sods are well knitted together, careful handling is desirable. Do not leave the sod in the sun for long periods. For best results, Cool Season Grasses should be laid within 12 hours of delivery

.

FERTILIZER MAINTENANCE

Since Cool Season grass grows most actively in Spring & Autumn, this is when it needs to be fertilized most. It is beneficial to scarify Warm Season lawns first in spring when an application of 5:1:5 can be introduced onto the roots at 50g / m². Lawns do best when fertilized “little and often”. Grass growing in sandy soil needs to be fertilize more often than that growing in a clay soil, since the nutrients leach out far more readily in the first instance.

• Spring: 5:1:5 applied @ 50g/m² (beginning of Aug & end Sept)
• Summer: 5:1:5 or LAN controlled release 50g/m² (Mid Nov, end Dec & end Jan)
• Autumn: 5:1:5 controlled release 50g/m² (beginning of March & end of April)
• Winter: No fertilizer is necessary while the grass is dormant

WHEN TO ESTABLISH

• Instant Lawn: All year round.
• Plugs: All year round.

WHEN TO MOW

As soon as the sod is firmly secured to the ground, mowing can begin by removing no more than 1/2 of the leaf length. For further information on mowing heights, please refer to the maintenance section.

BENT

• Blend of Fescue and Rye
• Tuft Grass
• Dark green colour
• Medium leaf texture
• Green throughout the year
• Requires approximately 25mm of water per week consistently
• Does well in sun and semi-shade if maintained correctly
• Suits a wide range of soil types
• Cannot grow from sprigs
• Moderate wear ability

EVERGREEN GOLD

• Blend of Fescue and Rye
• Tuft Grass
• Dark green colour
• Medium leaf texture
• Green throughout the year
• Requires approximately 25mm of water per week consistently
• Does well in sun and semi-shade if maintained correctly
• Suits a wide range of soil types
• Cannot grow from sprigs
• Moderate wear ability

SHADE-OVER

• Blend of Fescue and Rye
• Dark green colour
• Fine leaf texture
• Green throughout the year
• Requires 25 mm water per week consistently
• Medium tolerance of drought
• Sensitive to fungal disease in wet conditions
• Suitable in semi-shade and shade if maintained correctly
• Cutting height is critical, not less than 50 mm up to 70 mm in shade