LANDSCAPING
Special lawn care guidelines for estate and HRA properties
Since these are“ bulk” management priorities in sometimes high-traffic zones, consider the following guidelines:
• New lawn? Select grass types strategically – typically Kikuyu or Cynodon for high-traffic areas, and Buffalo for shaded or coastal zones.
• Standardise the feeding programmes – use slow-release fertilisers aligned with seasonal growth cycles.
• Zone the irrigation systems carefully – be guided by lawn type, sun exposure, and slope, and prevent over-watering and runoff.
• Prioritise durability over perfection. This means slight colour variations can be traded for resilience and lower costs.
• Maintain correct mowing heights – often done with a ride-on mower. Check the blades are sharp to minimise stress and disease across large areas – in other words, do not cut maintenance corners.
• Schedule preventative maintenance, including aeration, dethatching, and drainage checks, rather than reactive repairs. Rope off affected areas and notify residents.
• Monitor pests and diseases early in periods of warm weather and wet periods in summer rainfall regions.
• Remember water resilience – align lawn care with sustainability goals. As South Africa transitions into an arid region, this is becoming mandatory in certain areas. Sustainability actions include water-wise practices and reducing your chemical inputs.
Where to get help
This article has been crafted from general guidelines and points to further information being available from the following credible sources:
• South African National Biodiversity Institute( SANBI): Guidance is very relevant for WSUD( water sensitive urban design) principles, lawn alternatives, and climate-appropriate plant selection.
• Department of Water and Sanitation( DWS), South Africa: National water conservation and water demand management( WC / WDM) guidelines.
• Green Building Council South Africa( GBCSA): Green Star SA and Net Zero Water technical manuals provide important frameworks, especially for sustainable development in residential estates.
• Council for Scientific and Industrial Research( CSIR): Urban water management, stormwater research, and climate-resilient settlement guidance.
• ARC – Agricultural Research Council( South Africa): Turfgrass research, soil health, fertiliser use, and climate-adapted grass species.
• SALGA( South African Local Government Association): For municipal guidance on sustainable urban landscapes, stormwater bylaws, and public open-space management.
• Municipal Water Bylaws and WSUD Guidelines: City-specific documents available from the major metros, including the City of Cape Town, City of Johannesburg and eThekwini.
• Ask the academics: the University of Pretoria and Stellenbosch University Horticulture / Landscape Architecture Departments for access to research on turf management, soil systems, and water-efficient landscapes in Southern Africa. Great resource for developers.
90 autumn 2026 | www. tobuild. co. za