Hi
We just had soil done. Just wondering what is best grass seeds to spread shortly.
Thanks
Paula
Hi @paula24,
Great to hear you’ve just had your soil prepared – that’s an excellent first step. When it comes to choosing grass seed, the best option will depend on how you plan to use the lawn and how much maintenance you’re happy to do.
Kikuyu is a popular choice if you’re after a hardy, fast-growing lawn. It establishes quickly, tolerates wear and tear well, and copes with full sun. It does need regular mowing during the warmer months because of its vigorous growth, but it’s a reliable option for many Aussie backyards.
Couch is another great option, especially if you want a fine-textured lawn. It loves full sun, creates a dense, soft surface, and is ideal if you don’t mind a bit of maintenance – it will need regular mowing and occasional fertilising to keep it looking its best.
If you’re after a low-maintenance, family-friendly lawn with a softer feel underfoot, you might also consider laying buffalo turf instead of seeding. Buffalo varieties like Sir Walter are excellent for sun and part-shade areas, but they are usually only available as rolls of turf rather than seed.
If you can tell us a little more about how you’ll be using the space – for example, whether you have a dog, children playing on it, or if the area will be a regular thoroughfare – we can provide more tailored advice. That said, Kikuyu or Buffalo are generally the hardest-wearing options.
Please let me know if you have questions.
Mitchell
Thank you so much for your response. Property will be rented. Ideally low maintenance evergreen grass would be good. House is in gisborne. Landscaper didnt put fertilizer in soil but apparently he told me doesnt need it that the grass seeds has it in it.
Thanks for the extra details @paula24. Since the property will be rented, a low-maintenance, evergreen option is definitely a smart choice. In Gisborne’s cooler climate, Kikuyu is a good, hardy option as it’s tough and self-repairing, making it ideal for areas that may get some wear and tear. However, it can slow down a little in winter.
It’s also worth noting that while some grass seeds come coated with starter fertiliser, adding a quality starter lawn fertiliser when sowing can give the grass the best chance to establish quickly.
I actually saw these two options on your website. I have attached pictures
Thank you
Is ok to plant it now
The first one you’ve attached looks like ryegrass @paula24, which is quite different from Kikuyu. Ryegrass establishes quickly, has a nice dark green colour, and is great for cool climates like Gisborne, but it generally needs more maintenance than Kikuyu. It also doesn’t self-repair as well and can thin out over time, so it may need overseeding every year or two to stay looking good.
The second option you’ve found is a lawn repair seed mix. These products are designed for patching and filling in bare or damaged areas in an existing lawn rather than establishing a brand-new lawn. They usually contain fine-bladed grasses that germinate quickly but aren’t as robust or long-lasting as something like Kikuyu.
It really depends on which seed you choose. Ryegrass can be sown now as it germinates well in cooler soil temperatures, making it suitable for late winter and early spring planting. Kikuyu, on the other hand, prefers warmer conditions to germinate successfully, so it’s best to wait until the soil warms up in mid to late spring for reliable results.
Kikuyu it is:)
Am I ok to do it now:)
It's best to wait for the weather to start warming up, @paula24. Ideally, mid-spring would be a good time
Thank you so much Mitchell
Sorry Mitchell
I am on website. Few options with Kikuyu. I dont know which one please
I think the Scotts Lawn Builder 1.4kg Seed & Feed Kikuyu Lawn Seed would be a good option @paula24. It's on the more budget side and comes with those fertilisers.
It covers 60 square metres.
Hi Mitchell
the grass seed that you recommended the Scotts Lawn Builder 1.4kg Seed & Feed Kikuyu Lawn Seed has that got rye in it. just looking at reviews seems to have mixed reviews on the product.
also the area is aprox 130sqm. i think i would need maybe 3 to 5kg bags. are they available?
paula
Yes, that seed pack will contain rye grass seeds.
The main reason is that kikuyu seed is notoriously slow and patchy to establish, while ryegrass germinates very quickly.
Kikuyu seed can take anywhere from 2–4 weeks to sprout (and longer in cool conditions), and even then, the seedlings are fine and vulnerable until they spread by runners. By contrast, ryegrass will often germinate within 5–7 days, providing an almost instant green cover. Including ryegrass in the mix means the lawn area doesn’t look bare or weedy while you’re waiting for the kikuyu to establish. It also helps stabilise the soil, reducing erosion and suppressing weed invasion in those early weeks.
Over time, the ryegrass tends to thin out, especially through hot summers, while the kikuyu — being a vigorous, warm-season grass — takes over as the dominant species.
In some mixes, annual ryegrass is used specifically because it naturally dies out after a season, leaving the kikuyu to spread.
If you had concerns with this, it may be better to look at purchasing turf slabs or a different species of grass seed.
Let me know what you think and if you have further questions, please don't hesitate to ask.
Jacob
Thank you Jacob for information.
I looked at review and some said that the rye took over so I wasn't sure.
Are they seeds that is Kikuyu only.
I am hoping to seed area in the next week or two.
With instant turf expensive and installation. Trying to keep it to certain budget
Yes, we have Munns Professional 500g Pure Kikuyu Lawn Seed, which is 100% Kikuyu. This seed contains premium turf-grade Emerald Kikuyu, which is less invasive than regular Kikuyu, has a richer green colour, and a finer leaf texture.
It also comes coated with an advanced germination booster, a slow-release 3-month fertiliser, and a professional-grade wetting agent to improve germination and root development. The coating is multi-purpose, helping to deter birds while also allowing you to see where you’ve sown the seeds.
A 500g pack will cover approximately 23m² of new lawn. Germination times will depend on temperature and soil moisture, so it’s essential to keep the soil consistently moist, especially during warmer periods, to achieve the best results.
ok. the total area i think its 120sqm
does it come in bigger amount
Unfortunately, the pure Kikuyu seed does not come in a larger amount. If you are looking to cover a bigger area such as your 120sqm, the option available is the blend with ryegrass. The ryegrass is included in the mix because it germinates very quickly and helps infill the space, giving you coverage while the Kikuyu is still establishing. The only thing to be mindful of is that ryegrass can become dominant if it is not kept under control. If you allow it to grow too long, it can smother out the Kikuyu. To prevent this from happening, it is important to mow regularly in the early stages. This will keep the ryegrass in check and allow the Kikuyu the time it needs to establish. Once the Kikuyu has taken hold, it will gradually overtake the ryegrass and become the main grass in your lawn.
As long as you maintain regular mowing, there should be no issues with using the blend, and it will help you achieve quicker coverage than relying on a pure Kikuyu mix.
Sorry about the questions.
What percentage is rye and Kikuyu. I couldn't see anything on packaging
Although I am unable to ascertain the exact percentage, typically these blends have around 10-15% Kikuyu seed and 85-90% Rye.
