Choosing the Best Grass for High-Traffic Areas in Melbourne

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Understanding instant turf options for high-traffic commercial sites 

Melbourne is a bustling city that boasts a vibrant outdoor culture, with many residents and visitors alike enjoying parks, gardens, and other green spaces. However, with this high level of foot traffic comes the challenge of maintaining healthy and attractive lawns in public spaces and commercial properties. Choosing the right type of grass for high-traffic areas is crucial to ensuring that these spaces remain functional and visually appealing. 

In this blog, we will explore the best grass for high-traffic areas in Melbourne, considering factors such as durability, maintenance requirements, and suitability for different environments. Whether you are a landscaper, business owner, or a local council looking to maintain public spaces, this guide will provide valuable insights into selecting the ideal grass variety for your needs.

Factors to Consider When Installing Turf for High-Traffic Areas

When buying turf for commercial and high-traffic areas, there are many factors to consider. High-traffic lawns are constantly utilised, especially during the spring and summer seasons. Therefore, when establishing turf in areas that experience high foot traffic, you’ll want to ensure that it’s of the highest quality. Hence, it’s best to consider the following: 

• Grass variety - consider the type of grass that will best suit your needs, taking into account factors like durability, maintenance requirements, and suitability for the local climate.
• Quality - look for healthy turf, free from weeds and pests, and grown in Melbourne's climate to ensure it is adapted to local conditions.
• Purpose - think about how the high-traffic area will be used and choose a durable grass variety well-suited to that purpose.
• Traffic level - consider the level of foot traffic the area will receive and choose a grass variety that can withstand that level of wear and tear.
• Shade and sun exposure - consider the amount of shade and sun the area receives and choose a grass variety suitable for that level of light.
• Maintenance - consider the level of maintenance required for the grass variety and choose one appropriate for your level of upkeep.

What’s The Best Turf for High-Traffic Areas?

Whether it’s transforming golf courses, designing sporting facilities or fixing up local gardens and parks, a healthy lawn made from high-quality turf will provide a luscious green look to your commercial space. 

Choosing the best high-traffic turf and grass is essential, and that’s why we recommend the following turf varieties: 

Couch Grass

Couch grass is a popular choice for high-traffic areas due to its durable nature and ability to quickly recover from damage. It's a warm-season grass that thrives in the hot and dry Melbourne climate. Couch grass requires frequent mowing and regular fertilisation to maintain its vibrant green colour, but it can withstand heavy foot traffic and bounce back quickly from wear and tear.

Lilydale supplies high-traffic Melbourne properties with TifTuf Bermuda grass. It has a dense growth pattern, which means it can handle high wear and is perfect for applications such as sports fields, golf courses and busy areas. While this couch grass has a fine leaf blade, it offers a luxuriously soft feel underfoot that other grass seeds lack.  

Kikuyu Grass

Kikuyu grass is an excellent choice for high-traffic areas because it is a fast-growing, resilient grass that can withstand heavy foot traffic and quickly recover from damage. Kikuyu grass has an efficient growth habit, which spreads quickly and fills in bare patches, creating a thick, lush lawn that can stand up to frequent use. Additionally, Kikuyu grass is well-adapted to Melbourne's climate, tolerating heat, drought, and heavy rain. 

Lilydale supplies the very high wear-tolerant Eureka Premium VG Kikuyu instant turf. Specially developed to suit Melbourne’s climate, this Kikuyu variety has very strong growth and is ideal for high levels of wear in busy commercial spaces. It is also drought tolerant, low maintenance and quick to repair and re-establish. 

Buffalo Grass

Buffalo grass is a low-maintenance grass well-suited for high-traffic areas. It's a warm-season grass that's drought-tolerant and can withstand heavy foot traffic. Buffalo grass requires minimal fertilisation and watering, making it a cost-effective option for large public spaces. Its deep roots also help it withstand periods of drought and heat stress.

Sir Walter DNA Certified Buffalo Grass, stocked by Lilydale, is a drought, wear and shade-tolerant turf variety that is highly versatile and thrives in many conditions. This turf requires minimal mowing and maintenance and provides a lush green lawn all year round. 

Other Common Turf Varieties

While Melbourne’s climate tends to be dry and arid, we recommend utilising warm season grasses. However, a cool season grass type may be ideal if your establishing your lawn during winter. For instance, you could use tall fescue grass which can withstand the pressures of a high-traffic environment. 

Alternatively, if you need turf for a commercial space that won’t be getting much foot traffic, a turf variety such as Sir Grange Zoysia grass is a good choice. It has a fine texture that provides a luxurious aesthetic appeal. 

If you’re looking for the best turf for high-traffic areas in Melbourne, the team at Lilydale are here to help. We offer outstanding commercial turf supply with smooth delivery and installation. Talk to us today.