Page 38 - SilverLakes_Issue 6_2022

GARDENING

GREEN LAWNS IN WINTER

By Elize Malan

aving a green lawn in winter in Buffalo Cynodon dactylon
Gauteng is often not possible. In Also known as St Augustine grass, Crab Also known as Kaapse kweek, Couch or
Hthis province, we have rain only in grass or Mission grass. Bermuda grass. It is indigenous to South
summer. In winter, some places register Africa and is fine-textured.
night temperatures below freezing. Warm- Indigenous to coastal areas of South
season grasses stop growing and become Africa, it is a strong but slow-growing This grass has a deep root system and an
dormant (brown or white) during dry and/ lawn. It prefers sun but will tolerate some invasive growth habit. It is drought resistant
or cold conditions. shade. and will tolerate high traffic.

Warm-season grasses grow best at air The lawn is dormant during winter. A patch of kweek among another cultivar
temperatures ranging from 27°C to will take over very easily. New hybrids
34°C. For cool-season grasses, the ideal No amount of fertiliser or water will keep it of Cynodon are available and can be
temperature is between 15°C and 24°C. green if temperatures drop below freezing successfully used where no irrigation is
point. available.
The following warm-season grasses are
planted throughout the country: Berea This grass is dormant in winter and does
Also known as Durban grass, Coast grass or not tolerate shade.
Kikuyu LM grass. It is indigenous to South Africa
Indigenous to East Africa, it is an affordable, and prefers sandy soil. The attractive lush green sports fields we
fast-growing grass used extensively for see in winter in Gauteng are achieved by
garden lawns, sports fields and public areas. Berea grass grows well in shade but will overseeding in autumn. This is an expensive
In terms of its invasive status, it is classified tolerate the sun if not exposed to high annual procedure whereby cool-season
as a NEMBA Category 1B weed in protected traffic. Its water requirements are about grass seed is used to overseed the existing
areas and wetlands. (NEMBA stands for the same as for kikuyu grass, but its growth warm-season lawn.
the National Environmental Management habit is less vigorous.
Biodiversity Act, 2004.) Kikuyu grass does In spring, when temperatures start rising,
not tolerate shade and requires regular It has a shallow root system and should not the cutting height is lowered, encouraging
mowing and watering. be mown shorter than 5mm. the warm-season grass to take over.

The lawn is dormant in areas with frost In areas with frost, Berea grass will go Cold winter temperatures that result in
during winter. dormant in winter. brown lawns do not kill a well-tended lawn.
Only top growth is affected – underneath
its brown blanket, the roots are alive and
healthy.

A mild winter where sufficient water is
available will allow warm-season grasses to
remain green, although growth will be slow
or non-existent.

Tel: 012 804 1807
Fax: 012 804 0278
Web: www.garden-group.co.za
Email: admin@garden-group.co.za

36 | INTRAMUROS JULY 2022