Episode: #9 21/10/2006
Presenter: Neville Passmore

A good looking fine leaf grass lawn not only adds value and saleability to a home it can be a source of great pleasure and pride to the owner. Plus it is a green carpet to cool down a house and give the landscape that classic finish touch.

Water shortages have led some to frown on lawn planting but grass has many environmental credentials. It has the cooling effect of an air conditioner but doesn?t require electricity. It absorbs pollution both from the air and runoff water and it resists erosion.

Plant a drought tough low water use variety to cover the area you will use and you have a waterwise lawn.

You would have seen the fine leaf turf form of couch grass called Legend from StrathAyr Turf Systems, last season in action at Telstra stadium in Sydney, where it cops a hammering from fast flying footy sprigs but is able to recover fast.

It has just been judged best performer from over 400 selections of couch grasses in a 4 year evaluation by the Melbourne Cricket Club & Agriculture Victoria.

When you wash away the soil from the roots and underground stems called stolons you can see where the toughness comes from. The stolons act as a store of moisture and food to keep the grass plant alive through drought.

Legend Couch establishes rapidly, particularly in warm seasons and is an outstanding performer in a wide range of climates

Even if it browns off from extreme dryness a good soaking and back into growth it springs.

A spongy lawn is not healthy or water efficient, this variety is a low thatch accumulation type that boasts good winter colour and an excellent spring green up rate

Spring and early summer is the ideal time to plant a new warm season turf grass. Neville?s recommendation is to carefully look at the area you require and go for the most appropriate types that need a minimum of water and nutrient resources and yet do the job beautifully.

StrathAyr Turf Systems Pty Ltd
www.strathayr.com.au