LANDSCAPING
Know your grass
For new lawns, choosing the right lawn type is as important as feeding and maintenance. Yes, it matters, and when matched correctly to a property’ s location, sunlight exposure, and intended use, lawns become resilient, water-efficient, and can look great.
Buffalo grass is wellsuited to coastal and semi-shaded gardens. Buffalo has broad blades, lower water requirements than Kikuyu, and tolerates shade better. Mow less frequently and nurture it with potassium-rich fertilisers.
Cynodon( a. k. a. Bermuda) is finetextured and drought-tolerant. This type is ideal for hot, dry inland regions and formal lawns. However, it needs full sun and good drainage. Once established, it pays back with excellent durability and low water use.
Kikuyu is the most common lawn in South Africa. Fastgrowing, hard-wearing, plant this for high-traffic areas such as family gardens and sports lawns. Kikuyu thrives in full sun and summer rainfall regions, but performs poorly in shade and also with coastal humidity. It requires regular mowing, watering and feeding.
Rye grass is known as a winter overseeding option in SA’ s colder regions – it can maintain green cover when the other warm-season grasses go dormant. But this requires regular feeding and watering, so avoid it for a permanent lawn in most South African climates.
Tips for nurturing the lawn
Soil preparation and aeration are the foundations of lawn health. Compacted soils – typical of suburban gardens – can restrict water and nutrient uptake. Aerate your lawn annually using a garden fork or specialised aerator. This allows oxygen, moisture, and fertiliser to reach the roots. Top-dressing with a mix of river sand( smooth, rounded washed particles), compost, and topsoil helps improve drainage and organic content. This is important for the clay-heavy Highveld soils.
Watering should be deep but infrequent. Avoid shallow watering frequently, since this encourages weak surface roots. Watering two to three times a week during hot spells is usually sufficient in summer rainfall areas. Coastal regions may require more regular irrigation in areas with sandy soils. Water in the early morning to reduce evaporation and fungal risk. Remember that warm-season grasses become dormant and require minimal irrigation in the winter.
Feeding the lawn is best done during its active growing season. Most South African lawns benefit from a balanced fertiliser( such as 3:1:5 or 5:1:5) applied in spring and midsummer. Nitrogen promotes leaf growth, phosphorus supports roots, and potassium improves drought and disease resistance. But avoid over-fertilising because nitrogen can cause excessive growth. The resulting dense layer of dead and living organic material, named thatch, that accumulates between the green grass blades and the soil surface increases vulnerability to pests.
Hint: Going the organic feeding route? Consider compost teas, chicken manure pellets, or seaweed-based products. These can improve long-term soil health and promote microbial activity. These are particularly useful in coastal gardens where nutrients leach quickly from sandy soils.
Mowing – never remove more than a third of the grass blade at a time. Cutting too short stresses the plant and encourages weeds. Sharp mower blades reduce tearing and the entry of disease. Lawn height should vary by grass type and season, with slightly longer cuts in summer to reduce moisture loss.
Weed and pest control – a cautionary note to make this selective and minimal. A dense, well-fed lawn will naturally suppress weeds. Preferably, use hand removal or spot treatment.
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