Browse Forums Landscape & Garden Design Re: Nara Native Turf - New Turf Variety 61May 29, 2012 4:31 pm I went outside once. The graphics were alright, but the gameplay sucked! Settlement:22nd June Slab:27th August Frame:16th Sept Bricked:21st Oct Roof:24th Nov Linings HANDOVER23rd March! Re: Nara Native Turf - New Turf Variety 71Jan 06, 2015 8:29 am Thanks guys. @BeatrixKiddo Can you please advice whether Santa Anna requires a lot more watering and mowing compared with Zoysia? I am trying to find a lawn type that does not require a lot of mowing and water and does not let a lot of weeds. I have chosen Zoysia after reading some posts by Fu and this article - http://www.thelawnguide.com.au/zoysia-g ... ralia.html Re: Nara Native Turf - New Turf Variety 72Jan 06, 2015 9:08 am I would think Empire Zoysia would be the good other option. Re: Nara Native Turf - New Turf Variety 73Jan 06, 2015 9:15 am Thanks donR. My research says that Nara is a little bit more shade tolerant, holds winter color better and grows a little more faster than Empire. Can you think of any distinct advantages that Empire has got over Nara? Re: Nara Native Turf - New Turf Variety 74Jan 06, 2015 9:32 am I would have thought Empire is more shade tolerant than Nara, maybe the same. In the brochure it says Empire is "Good in moderate shade". Apparently Santa Anna couch is less tolerant of shade again. Empire seems to be more versatile than Nara, maybe better in colder Victoria. You can read about Empire if you haven't already: http://www.hicksturf.com.au/pdf/Empire_flyer.pdf http://www.empireturf.com.au/images/con ... rf24pg.pdf Re: Nara Native Turf - New Turf Variety 75Jan 06, 2015 10:50 am chaitu_madala Thanks guys. @BeatrixKiddo Can you please advice whether Santa Anna requires a lot more watering and mowing compared with Zoysia? I am trying to find a lawn type that does not require a lot of mowing and water and does not let a lot of weeds. I have chosen Zoysia after reading some posts by Fu and this article - http://www.thelawnguide.com.au/zoysia-g ... ralia.html Santa Ana requires less water to look good and thick in my experience.. Mowing wise well about the same really depends on how much you water and fertilise. Water empire plenty and it grows very quick in summer. Just note Empire/nara only grows really well for 2-3 months of the year down here and all the info you read about zoysia (any brand grass really) in regards to shade, water, weeds, wear, mowing is relevant to those growing months only.. The reason zoysia is low mowing is because it's barely growing for 3/4 of the year.. Which is fine if you don't walk on it.. As soon as there is any wear and tear outside of summer the grass collapses and the weeds get in. It also goes dormant and brown from May, whether there is a frost or not. I think its a very good front yard grass that is for show only, it holds up better in low use settings. The one thing to remember is melb has a very different climate to syd, perth and adel the info that applies there isn't the same as here in melb. In melb we have a much shorter growing period for everything so whatever grass you choose needs to grow well in the warmer months to allow it to get through and repair from the cold damage that occurs. Thats why you see a lot of kikuyu lawns in vic. Maybe check out a few buffalos' like palmetto also. Sir Walter grows pretty dam quick in summer so it might not suit.. Re: Nara Native Turf - New Turf Variety 76Jan 06, 2015 9:22 pm Thanks BeatrixKiddo and donR We have 3 sections where we want to lay turfs in our new house and we are ok with the grass becoming dormant in winter months. I will to follow Fu's recommendations as much as I can for the soil prep. 125 sqm in the rear - This section has a bit of fall making it hard to mow an aggressive lawn type like santa anna or kikuyu. We don't have dogs and we are not expecting a lot of traffic from our 2 year old son in winter either. I spoke to Jerry from Austral Turf today and have been advised to stay away from Nara due to its unpredictable behavior. So considering empire for its low mowing requirements. 25 sqm on the side - This section is flat and we are expecting a little bit of traffic on this side in winter as well. So trying to choose between Santa Anna and Sapphire probably Santa Anna for its softness. Jerry advised that Sapphire has a fine thin blade as well and very soft under feet. Will have to see it physically. 30 sqm in the front - This area will not have any traffic. We want the least watering and least maintenance for this area. So considering Empire and Palmeto for their low maintenance. Any suggestions guys? Re: Nara Native Turf - New Turf Variety 77Jan 06, 2015 10:05 pm I planted Sapphire in our shady section under the tree and it did really well. Quite soft but not as fine as the Zoysias. Out the front I ended up planting Kakadu which was similar to Sapphire but possibly a bit finer and softer though can't really remember. Though it hada bit of a hard life as it was the last area to be done so had quite a bit of traffic as well as being well shaded. Here is a photo of the Sapphire: http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i183/donald_rowe/Grass/Sapphire_DSC_0368.jpg And the Kakadu: http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i183/donald_rowe/Grass/Kakadu_DSC_0093.jpg Re: Nara Native Turf - New Turf Variety 78Jan 07, 2015 12:36 pm Sounds like you have some good choices there. Like you said have a look then decide. For whats its worth Palmetto, Sir Walter, Kings Pride, Santa Ana are all proven long term preformers in melb. Plant them in the right spots ie sun/shade with adequate water and they will work. No guess work needed.. Re: Nara Native Turf - New Turf Variety 79Apr 18, 2016 12:27 pm So I planted nara native turf about a month ago (I would have like to plant earlier in the season but it was out of my control. I'm now worried it might not have been the best choice. It's a north facing backyard so most of it gets plenty of sun, but under the clothesline it is not doing well (6 month old in cloth nappies so heavy traffic!). I'm trying to reduce traffic by walking on both sides and hoping it's just a problem while it establishes. Any tips on what I can do to help it in this early stage? Fig Landscapes has produced an e-book and native plant index, available for purchase from their website. It's a great resource, full of inspiration and tips. Another… 1 12314 They using concrete or timber sleepers? Timber or steel uprights? Any drainage behind sleeper? 3 5939 |