A Guide to Lawn Seeds in New Zealand: Choosing the Best Variety for Your Garden
Dreaming of a lush, green lawn that turns your garden into the envy of the neighbourhood? Let's turn that dream into reality. Whether you're a homeowner, garden enthusiast, landscaper, or simply exploring a new hobby, the journey to a perfect lawn begins with choosing the right lawn seed. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll dive into why selecting the right lawn seed is crucial, explore the different options available, and consider how New Zealand’s unique climate can influence your choice.
Why Choosing the Right Lawn Seed Matters
Have you ever wondered why some lawns stay green and healthy while others struggle to survive? A lot of people chalk everything down to watering. And while it’s true - watered lawns look better, it’s a little more complicated than that. The answer often lies in the type of lawn seed used. Different grass varieties offer varying levels of resilience, growth rates, and aesthetic appeal. Selecting the right seed ensures your lawn not only looks great but also withstands specific conditions such as soil type, sunlight, and foot traffic. In summary, the right choice leads to a lawn that requires less maintenance and stays beautiful year-round.
New Zealand’s Unique Climate Conditions
We’re fortunate to live in a pretty diverse climate. However, being in a country with both beaches and snowy Alps means that there’s no ‘ideal’ seed option when it comes to Kiwi lawns. Instead, it requires a personal approach. This is especially the case when you’re comparing the North and South Islands. The North Island typically experiences warmer, more humid conditions, while the South Island is cooler and wetter. You should always keep your specific climate in mind when selecting lawn seeds, as some grass types thrive in specific environments. Understanding these nuances will help you make an informed decision, ensuring your lawn flourishes no matter where you are in Aotearoa.
Types of Lawn Seeds in New Zealand
Without further adieu, let’s dive into the most popular lawn seed varieties available in New Zealand, examining their key characteristics, ideal growing conditions, planting times, and maintenance tips.
Vintage Blend Ryegrass
Description: Ryegrass is the world’s most popular and versatile lawn grass, perfect for all climates in New Zealand. With the right amount of fertiliser and water, it thrives, quickly germinating and establishing a lush, dark green lawn. Its moderately fine texture not only adds to its appeal but also stands up to the rough and tumble of kids (and adults!).
Ideal Conditions: Vintage Blend will perform beautifully all year round with good maintenance practices, especially fertiliser and irrigation.
Planting Time: Vintage Blend can be sown all year round, except during the depths of Winter.
Maintenance Tips: Vintage Blend needs regular fertilisation, at least 6 times per year. This is very important in Spring and Autumn when growth is high.
Tall Fescue
Description: Tall fescue is renowned for its deep green colour, drought resistance, and durability.
Ideal Conditions: This grass thrives in both sunny and partially shaded areas, making it perfect for high-traffic zones.
Planting Time: The best time to plant tall fescue is in early autumn or spring when the soil temperature is ideal for seed germination.
Maintenance Tips: Tall fescue is a coarse leaf species that’s best mown at 50mm or above. It requires moderate watering and regular mowing to maintain its optimal health. Ensuring the soil remains moist during the germination period is crucial.
Kikuyu Grass
Description: Kikuyu grass is a fast-growing, vibrant green grass that is highly resilient.
Ideal Conditions: It is perfect for coastal regions and warmer climates, making it an excellent choice for large lawns and sports fields.
Planting Time: The best time to plant Kikuyu is from late spring to early autumn when the soil is warm.
Maintenance Tips: Kikuyu needs regular mowing to prevent it from becoming invasive. It thrives with minimal watering, making it a low-maintenance option once established.
Supalawn
Description: Supalawn is a premium blend designed for lush, dense lawns.
Ideal Conditions: This blend is adaptable to a variety of soil types and climate conditions, making it great for residential lawns.
Planting Time: Supalawn can be planted in autumn or spring, offering flexibility in establishing your lawn.
Maintenance Tips: Regular fertilisation and watering are key to maintaining a healthy, green lawn. Ensure consistent care during the initial growth phase for the best results.
Choosing the Right Lawn Seed for Your Needs
As you can see, there are quite a few options. We understand it can be a pretty overwhelming choice so here are a few factors to help narrow down your decision:
- Climate: Match the grass variety to your region’s climate. For example, if you’re in Hawke’s Bay you might want to choose Kikuyu for warmer areas.
- Soil Type: Ensure the grass variety you choose is compatible with your soil type. Some grasses perform better in sandy soils, while others thrive in clay or loamy soils.
- Lawn Usage: Consider how you will use your lawn. High-traffic areas benefit from durable grasses like tall fescue, while ornamental lawns might be better suited to fine-textured varieties.
- Maintenance Commitment: Some grasses require more maintenance than others. To avoid becoming overwhelmed, choose a variety that matches your willingness and ability to care for your lawn.
Here’s a brief guide to help you match lawn seed types to your specific needs:
- For high-traffic areas: Choose Vintage Blend Ryegrass
- For ornamental lawns: Opt for Made for Shade.
- For coastal regions: Kikuyu is an excellent choice.
- For a lush, dense residential lawn: Supalawn is ideal.
Top Lawn Care Tips
Now that you’ve chosen the right type of seeds, you can move on to the exciting part - planting them!
General Planting Tips
- Soil Preparation: Before planting, prepare the soil by removing weeds, rocks, and debris. Loosen the soil to a depth of about 10-15 cm and mix in organic matter or fertiliser to improve soil health.
- Sowing Techniques: Distribute the seeds evenly across the prepared soil. Use a seed spreader to ensure uniform coverage. Lightly rake the soil to cover the seeds and protect them from birds.
- Initial Watering: Water the newly sown seeds gently but thoroughly. Keep the soil consistently moist during the germination period, which can take several weeks depending on the grass type.
General Maintenance Tips
- Fertilisation Schedules: Ask any pro and they’ll tell you regular fertilisation is crucial for maintaining a healthy lawn. Apply a balanced slow-release lawn fertiliser during the growing season to provide essential nutrients.
- Watering Practices: If there is no rain, you should water your lawn once to twice a week, with 10 to 15 millimetres each time. Water deeply but infrequently to encourage deep root growth.
- Mowing Guidelines: Mow your lawn regularly to maintain an even height. Avoid cutting more than one-third of the grass blade unless you’ve oversowed and need to repair your lawn.
Conclusion
Selecting the right lawn seed is the first step towards achieving a beautiful, resilient lawn that enhances your outdoor space. Know what type you’re after? Come explore our wide range of high-quality lawn seeds. If you’re on the fence or have unique lawn requirements don’t hesitate to contact a member of our friendly team. They’ll be more than happy to help ensure you find the perfect match for your garden. Visit Newton Seeds today to learn more and start your journey towards a lush, vibrant lawn.