How to identify grass or lawn type?

[jimmyjimenez]

Hi guys, 

Just moved into new place first time lawn owner. Have some questions:

1. Could someone help identify what type of grass I have?

2. Also in the second photo attached,  is this a weed that is growing (thr longer stems with purple tips)? This is only found in the front lawn, the neighbours front lawn seems to have these growing as well none in my backyard lawn though.

3. What's the best thing I can do to try create a "fuller" look to my lawn as some areas looking bare? 

Appreciate any advice and help! 

Thanks in advance!

Jimmy

1. Backyard lawn

2. Front lawn weeds?

3. Backyard lawn

 

[Noelle]

Hi @audzzz 

What is growing is definitely not kikuyu - it is far too fine. It could be a fescue (with outbreaks of clover included) but I am inclined to agree with Mitchell that it isn't a 'sown' grass but rather something that was either in the area or soil prior to you moving in, or has blown in on the wind.

My humble opinion is that you should consider killing it all off and either sowing a lawn seed blend suitable for your area or turfing the area with a hard wearing, drought-tolerant grass like Sir Walter.

[Ethancw]

Can anyone let me know what grass this is in the pictures? Have made a mistake buying wrong turf previously and need to buy the right turf to cover patches matching what I already have on lawn. 

 

 

[MitchellMc]

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @Ethancw. It's to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about grass types.

You have a runner in your hand there, so that tells us the lawn is either Buffalo, Couch, Kikuyu or Zoysia. Do you happen to know what the incorrect turf that you purchased before was? Couch and Zoysia typically have finer leaves than that, so I suspect that it might be Kikuyu, though it could also be Buffalo.

It might be worth taking your sample to one of our stores. A helpful team member can help you match it against the turf we have in stock.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell
 

[3jidaddy]

Hi. It looks like another type of grass is spreading in my lawn. The original one is couch I think. The know one is lighter colour and growing faster and thicker. Is this okay to leave it like this or do I have to manually pull them out by hand?

 

 

[JacobZ]

Hi @3jidaddy,

It looks like you have Kikuyu grass growing up through Couch grass.  Mixed grasses like this are common and there's no real issue with leaving them be as long as you are happy to do so.

The reality is, over time, the dominant grass will eventually take over the space and it is more than likely this will be the Kikuyu as it is far more aggressive than almost every other type of lawn grass.

Luckily, Kikuyu actually looks really nice and makes a wonderful lawn that is hardy, drought tolerant and will stay green through Summer with minimal watering.

Manually pulling it out can work for a while, but it’s labour-intensive and often ineffective as kikuyu spreads through underground runners and seeds. 

Outside of removing the top 300mm of soil, replacing it with fresh new soil and planting new grass, there's not a lot you can do to decisively get rid of Kikuyu.

Unless you take drastic measures, it is more than likely there to stay, but as I said, it's actually a nice grass, so this isn't really an issue.

Let me know what you think.

Jacob

[3jidaddy]

Hi, @JacobZ 

Thank you for your advice. I see that Kikuyu is growing really fast. 

Just wondering between kikuyu and couch, which would be the best to keep?

[JacobZ]

Hi @3jidaddy,

As I mentioned, the Kikuyu is more than likely going to take over eventually, but it is a nice grass so there's nothing wrong with this.

In my opinion, the effort it would take to remove the Kikuyu is a lot more than it is worth. Personally, I'd just ignore it and let nature run its course.

Let me know what you think.

Jacob

[jen5]

I lived in Canberra, and the grass seems to love sun. From what I learned now, it might be tall fescue or ryegrass? I am not sure. I would really appreciate if someone can identify it can I can buy the correct seed to fix the yard.

runnerwhen it is overgrownclose lookwhen it is in the fit sizeoverall picture

[Jewelleryrescue]

Gi @jen5 

My first thoughts it is kikuyu grass

But a closer look it might be blue Grass which is cold tolerant grass and makes sense it is in Canberra for the frosty lawns.

Now who stocks blue grass seed specifically, no one I can tell.

A   But if you let your lawn grow and go to seed you will have the exact same grass then.

B  there is a Scots cool climate seed in a box mixed varieties that promises a tough lawn and drought resistant come watering restrictions from the Corin Dam

As a teenager 14  started my first summer watering and lawn mowing service for $10 a lawn lol big money those days. I was walking the streets pushing a lawn mower and fuel door knocking and card dropping. I don't remember the grass types though.

[JacobZ]

Hi @jen5,

Thank you for your question.

I'm not certain what this grass is, but I don't think it is tall fescue, kikuyu or bluegrass. It looks like it might even be native grass or a grass plant as opposed to a lawn-type grass.

Ryegrass seems possible as the seedheads look similar.

If possible, could you upload a close-up of the seedheads against the concrete like in your first two images?

Can you also upload a photo of the whole lawn, not just a patch?

It appears to be growing in clumps, is that the same for the entire lawn?

We'll have to do some more investigating to be sure.

Allow me to tag @Noelle for her thoughts.

Jacob