What grass or groundcover for South Toowoomba?

nonsibicunctis

I have a back yard with an area of approximately 300 sq metres that was largely with clover and other burr ridden weeds and the remains of some sort of grass - I don't know what type.

The ground seems to allow good growth of plants as native trees and shrubs have thrived but the supposedly grassed area is very uneven and was dry and hard.  I have a long-haired large dog and the burrs are a pain as I'm having to remove between 50 and a 100 each day.  I also don't find the weeds attractive.

All has been made worse since the ground had mechanical equipment running all over it in order to remove old clay type drains and replace with modern ones.

So:

* I am not looking to create a perfectly flat and beautiful lawn 

* I do want to smooth out the worst of the lumps and bumps and ruts that equipment has left

* I do want it to look reasonable and be o.k. for the dog

So far:

* I have been pulling out weeds by hand but there are just too many but after filling 6 council bins and only dealing with about 1/4 of the area, I've had enough

* I have decided to rotary hoe, 

* Remove the debris

* Perhaps hire a roller or at least rake relatively smooth

* Re-seed 

But I'm no gardener and know nothing so can you advise on:

* A suitable grass or ground cover for South Toowoomba conditions

* An area that gets lots of westerly sun

* Preferably something low maintenance

* Something hardy

* Something that will deter or resist weeds

* Something that will look reasonable

* Something that the dog will find o.k.

* Something that is economic (I'm a low income pensioner)

and

* Can you tell me how much I'd need to buy to cover the 300 sq metres

I am probably asking a lot.  If it is too much or inappropriate, I apologise.  Any assistance or advice you can offer I will much appreciate.  Thank you.  

EricL

Hello @nonsibicunctis 

Your yard situation is very typical for Toowoomba’s clay-based soils, especially after plumbing or machinery work, and you have made a solid start already. Rotary hoeing is an excellent decision because it will break up compacted clay and improve drainage. After hoeing, remove large roots and debris, then rake the surface to make it roughly level. It does not need to be perfectly smooth, only safe and walkable. If your budget allows, spread about one to two centimetres of organic compost over the top and lightly hoe it in again, as this helps grass seed establish faster in heavy clay. You could also apply gypsum at about one kilogram per ten square metres before hoeing, since it helps loosen clay without affecting soil pH.

For South Toowoomba, where summers are warm, winters are cool, and the yard gets strong westerly sun, you will need a hardy, drought-tolerant, and low-maintenance grass that can handle both foot traffic and dogs. Kikuyu is one of the best options because it is fast-growing, tough, economical, and recovers quickly from wear, although it can spread aggressively. Couch, also called Bermuda grass, is another good choice since it thrives in heat, forms a dense turf that resists weeds, and needs relatively little mowing, though it can brown off in winter. 

Buffalo lawn such as Sir Walter is softer underfoot, shade-tolerant, and low-maintenance but cost more to buy. Zoysia, such as Empire Zoysia, grows slowly but produces a thick, soft, low-care lawn once established. For a balance between cost and performance, a mix of Kikuyu and Couch seed is ideal because it provides quick coverage, good weed resistance, and durability under sun and use.

To cover your 300 square metre area, you would need about one to one and a half kilograms of Kikuyu seed or around 0.6 to 0.9 kilograms of Couch seed, or a mixed Kikuyu–Couch blend totalling about one and a half to two kilograms. If you prefer turf rather than seed, Buffalo rolls come in 30 square metre pallets, so roughly ten pallets would cover the area.

Once the soil is prepared, lightly roll or tamp it down and scatter the seed evenly. Mixing the seed with dry sand helps distribute it uniformly. Lightly rake to just cover the seed by about a centimetre, then water gently but thoroughly. Keep the soil damp for the first three weeks until the grass begins to sprout, then gradually reduce watering. If birds become a problem, spread a thin layer of sugarcane mulch or straw for protection. Keep your dog off the area until the new grass is strong enough to handle traffic.

When the grass is established, mow regularly to encourage lateral growth that thickens the turf and shades out weeds. If weeds appear early, remove them by hand or use a light selective herbicide suited to your grass type. After about six weeks, feed the lawn with a slow-release fertiliser to strengthen roots and promote coverage.

Overall, a Kikuyu or Kikuyu–Couch mix will give you a hardy, low-cost, and dog-friendly surface that looks neat and resists weeds. Seed for the entire yard will likely cost under one hundred dollars, and a few bags of gypsum and compost will improve the soil for a modest expense. With this approach, you will have an attractive, tough, and low-maintenance yard well suited to Toowoomba’s sunny conditions and clay soil.

Here is a handy step-by-step guide: How To Grow Grass From Lawn Seed

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric