Where can winter green couch grow in Australia?
Couch grass has been an Australian backyard staple for decades. As a warm season and drought- resistant grass which loves full sun, it has seemingly been built for Australian conditions.
But the term ‘Australian conditions’ can mean a million different things. As a large country, the tropical humidity of Far North Queensland couldn’t be more different to the dry and barren conditions experienced in the Simpson Desert, which in turn couldn’t be further from the Antarctic blasts seen at the southern tip of Tasmania.
Winter Green Couch is a hybrid grass that has become extremely popular with Australians since its introduction a decade or two ago. It has a beautiful deep green blade that is soft to the touch, making it both a pleasure to look at and to play on. It also has an almost unmatched ability to repair itself from damage, which has seen it utilised in both residential and sports field applications.
So where in our wide brown land can Winter Green Couch be planted?
Thanks to its fantastic drought tolerance (mainly due to its incredibly deep root system), Winter Green can be planted in what would usually be thought of as challenging conditions, like those experienced in Australia’s centre.
But the name of ‘Winter Green’ can be the cause of some confusion with many potential buyers, as this variety is very much a warm season grass, and doesn’t cope at all well with cold – particularly frosts. It prefers instead to be planted in heat and full sun, growing best in temperatures of 20C-35C. Temperatures below 20C will have the growth of the grass slowing, and it will begin to go dormant and brown off once the mercury slides into single figures.
In short, if your area experiences chilly winters and regular frosts (like Southern Victoria and Tasmania), other instant turf varieties might be for you. But if you find yourself in warmer, drier parts of Australia, Winter Green Couch makes for an excellent choice!
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