Home Landscaping: Choosing the Right Grass Species for Your Lawn
If you are planning on improving your landscape, you should consider growing natural grass. Natural turf has an incomparable appeal because of its vibrant colours. Also, the grass will keep growing and changing with the seasons. Additionally, you will not need to replace the turf because the grass will recover after exposure to harsh conditions. On the other hand, the benefits obtained from a natural lawn will depend on the chosen grass species. Here are some factors to help you choose lawn and turf supplies for your home.
Type of Soil
You should evaluate your soil before choosing the right plant species for your residential landscape. If you purchase grass which cannot thrive on your property, you will experience significant losses. The grass might not grow at all or the results might be less than desirable. Under ideal circumstances, you should collect soil samples from your land and commission testing. A specialist laboratory will provide a profile with details on pH, nutrients and composition. These details can help you identify the species which best matches your soil. If your soil has poor drainage, low nutrient retention or poor composition, you should consider purchasing clean soil to replace the material.
Local Climate
You should think about the local climate and its suitability for the growth of different grass species. You should note that it is possible to create an artificial micro climate in your home. However, this option would require a lot of resources and time. Therefore, where possible, it is advisable to choose grass which can grow in the natural environmental conditions of your region. For instance, if your area has low rainfall and is prone to droughts, you should consider acquiring drought-resistant varieties. There are also frost-resistant species for cold areas. It is also crucial to consider the shading of your lawn. If your does not receive sunlight all day long, you should favour shade-tolerant grass.
Maintenance Requirements
Proper maintenance of the lawn requires time, money and physical effort. However, the exact upkeep requirements will depend on the grass species established on the land. Therefore, you should think about the level of care that you are capable of providing when choosing your turf. Some species have special nutritional requirements which cannot be provided by nature. If you select such plants, you should be prepared to purchase fertiliser regularly. Other species might require frequent mowing, extensive weeding and heavy watering. You should inquire about these needs before making your decision.