What is the Best Type of Lawn to Plant on Phillip Island?

Choosing the right lawn variety for your property on Phillip Island is key to maintaining a healthy, vibrant lawn all year round. With the island’s unique climate and coastal conditions, some turf types will naturally perform better than others. So, what’s the best grass for your backyard? Let’s take a closer look.

Phillip Island’s Climate: What Your Lawn Needs to Handle

Phillip Island experiences wet winters, dry hot summers, and constant temperature fluctuations. This kind of weather means lawns need to be both drought-tolerant and cool-season friendly, with the ability to bounce back from wind, salt air, and fluctuating conditions. With this being said, warm climate lawn varieties like Couch and Buffalo will typically become dormant over the cooler months, losing considerable colour. Some people don't mind this dormancy since they're less likely to spend time in the garden during colder months and only need the grass looking nice when it's warm. However, others prefer a vibrant green lawn year-round.

Top Turf Types for Phillip Island

After maintaining different types of turf across Phillip Island, we've observed which grasses look the best throughout the year and the conditions and situations that suit each type best.

1. Kikuyu Grass

By far the most common lawn we maintain on Phillip Island is Kikuyu. With the right maintenance and fertilizer program, Kikuyu can look fantastic and vibrant green all year round, as seen on the Cowes Golf Course fairways. However, if left unchecked, it can quickly become invasive, growing into garden beds, through plants, and generally appearing untidy.

2. Sir Walter Buffalo Grass

We often see Sir Walter Buffalo in newly landscaped properties, particularly in smaller lawn areas. It can only be laid as turf rather than seeded, making it less cost-effective for large spaces. Over the warmer months, it looks as good or better than Kikuyu and is significantly less invasive. However, it does lose considerable colour during winter, reducing its mowing frequency and maintenance requirements considerably.

3. Perennial Ryegrass

Perennial Ryegrass is commonly seen in many new properties because it's readily available from local stores such as Bunnings, Mitre 10, and garden supply shops. If the soil is properly prepared, it's an excellent budget-friendly option and usually maintains a great appearance through winter. As a cool-season grass, however, it tends to die off during summer, leaving bare patches. Often, seed mixes labeled as Kikuyu or Couch contain predominantly Ryegrass seeds, and it can take several years before the intended grass variety fully establishes.

4. Couch Grass (Hybrid Bermuda Tiff Tuff)

Occasionally we maintain Couch lawns, predominantly in the Hybrid Bermuda Tiff Tuff variety. This turf has a smaller leaf and is less invasive compared to Kikuyu but can still spread into garden beds if left unattended. It thrives in summer, offering a fantastic colour, but goes dormant when cooler temperatures arrive, drastically reducing mowing requirements for several months.

How to Choose the Right Lawn for Your Property

Before you choose, ask yourself:

• How much sun does my yard get?
  For shady areas, Sir Walter or Perennial Ryegrass are great picks.

• Is my lawn used heavily by kids or pets?
  Kikuyu’s toughness will hold up well under pressure.

• How much time do I want to spend on maintenance?
  Sir Walter is the best low-maintenance all-rounder.

• Do I need it to look good year-round?
  Kikuyu and Couch maintain better summer colour, while Perennial Ryegrass excels in winter.

Final Thoughts

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but if you're on Phillip Island, Kikuyu, Sir Walter Buffalo, Perennial Ryegrass, and Couch Grass all have their strengths based on your yard, lifestyle, and maintenance preferences.

Still unsure? Chat with your local turf supplier or get in touch with us. We're always happy to help you choose the best lawn for your space.