Tropical Articles

Carpet grass is a broad leaf, warm season, perennial grass that is about as low maintenance as they come. The name comes from the fact that it is a particularly thick and low growing variety that spreads by its creeping stolons. The sod is very dense and feels firm underfoot.

It is particularly suited to areas prone to low fertility, acidic or poor soils, as it has an ability to withstand very tough conditions and spread out through its creeping growth pattern. It is also a good choice for erosion control as it thrives in areas where other grasses fail, such as in difficult terrains and areas that are not regularly maintained. The minimal upkeep required by Carpet Grass makes it a favorite of not only Australian backyards, but of roadsides and commercial landscapes.

While technically a warm season grass, Carpet Grass can be grown in nearly all of Australia (with the exception of particularly cold regions, such as Tasmania, Canberra and Victoria). It is the number one choice for Tropical climates. Despite the preference for warmer areas, it’s still able to withstand up to 50% shade without being adversely affected.

If you live in FNQ, NT or Darwin you should definitely consider Carpet Grass for your next lawn.

Seeding rates:

• New Lawns: 20 grams per square meter (2kg/100m2).
• Overseeding: 10 grams per square meter (1kg/100m2).

   

  For more information see below for Description and Features to see if this grass suits you!

The more “classic” variety of Rhodes grass, Callide Rhodes (tetraploid*) grass is a horse pasture ideally suited to the warm northern tropical climates of Australia and areas of high humidity including, Western Australia, Northern Territory and Queensland.

Callide Rhodes contains a terrific mix of vitamins and minerals that give your horses the best chance of being healthy and happy. The key feature is the low oxalate/high calcium combination that, unlike most other pasture grasses, allows the horse to get a healthy dose of calcium. Callide Rhodes companion plants well with other tropical pasture grasses and performs best when planted in tandem with other grasses. Consider combining with McKays Tropical Horse Pasture Blend for best results.

Being a subtropical grass, Callide Rhodes is fairly susceptible to damage in cold conditions. Ideal growing conditions are in warm, humid areas with a high soil fertility rate and high rainfalls.

The ideal growing temperature for Callide Rhodes is between 20-37 degrees celsius. In temperatures below 20 degrees celsius  it will become dormant and eventually die off the lower the temperature becomes. If you reside in an area that has any sort of predisposition to frosts, you may need to consider using Katambora Rhodes grass.

The other weakness in Callide Rhodes is its aversion to saline soils. If you have naturally saline soil or have irrigated yourself into a salty position, Callide will struggle to take. Katambora Rhodes is a more salt tolerant pasture option.

Sowing Rate:  10kg/ha

Please note: This product may be coated to support and enhance germination. Batches may vary.

This pasture blend contains premium seeds and has been specifically created for those who raise and pamper their horses in the warmer and tropical regions of Australia. It contains no ryegrass and is mixed to be low in oxalate, for the health and well-being of the animal.

Product Contains (approximately):

McKays Tropical Horse Pasture Blend is quick to germinate and is designed to withstand the stress of grazing, quickly re-growing in both the summer and winter months.

This premium seed blend will give you beautiful, flowing pastures and allows you to be secure in the knowledge that it is a high-quality grazing grass for your horses.

Seeding rate: 15kg/ha

Please note: Some seeds contained in this product may be coated to support and enhance germination. Batches may vary.

Centipede grass is an excellent choice for those interested in low-maintenance lawn care. Termed ‘lazy man’s grass’ this variety requires very little mowing and maintenance due to its slow growth. It is far less demanding than other grasses in terms of attention and input, so it is a favorite among lawn owners.

Centipede grass is a beautiful lawn that’s full of color and texture that prefers well-drained, acidic soil in warm climates. It will grow thick and lush if it receives at least six hours of direct sunlight per day. It does not tolerate being in full shade. Centipede grass has an outstanding tolerance to heat, but has less drought tolerance compared to other warm-season grasses, due to its relatively shallow root system that spreads by runners (stolons). It should be noted that Centipede grass does has very specific climate and soil requirements which limits its use primarily to warmer areas, with good rainfall. It is more sensitive to cold than many other warm-season grasses.

Centipede grass has a more upright growth habit than Bermuda Couch and is more similar to Zoysia. Centipede grass does not have a true period of winter dormancy like warm-season Zoysia and Couch. It is well adapted to high heat and humidity conditions, especially during heavy rainfall periods.

Seeding rates:

• New Lawns: 10 grams per square meter (1kg/100m2)
• Overseeding: 5 grams per square meter (1kg/200m2)