TurfBreed’s Living Library based at Melbourne Polytechnic (Fairfield Campus) in Melbourne, like most Victorians, suffered the isolation effects of COVID-19 last year.
In fact, from March to October the site was unattended as both students and staff were made to stay at home.
Fast forward to January 2021, 12-months after the Living Library site had been laid – and with a bit of love and care through mowing, fertilising and irrigation, TurfBreed’s nine varieties vigorously returned to life.
Australia’s turf industry has a lot to thank Melbourne Polytechnic for as over many years they have produced some of the best turf managers – both on farm, in the golf industry and on sports fields.
Mark Burchell lead teacher at Melbourne Polytechnic, and Doug Agnew manage a turf course that offers first-rate knowledge and industry connections and as a result produce turf managers of the future.
Steve Burt, TurfBreed’s managing director, said that basing a Living Library at Melbourne Polytechnic allowed turf and landscape students to gain a greater understanding of TurfBreed’s varieties but to also have them all in one place to showcase to growers, prospective buyers such as residential, commercial as well as the sports sectors.
“We are also fortunate enough to receive independent feedback from both Mark and Doug as to how they see our varieties performing in the one location”
So how have TurfBreed’s nine varieties performed over the past 12-months at the Melbourne Polytechnic site – remembering they endured six months of no lawn care and attention thanks to COVID-19.
According to Mark Burchell and Doug Agnew – very well! Here is what they had to say.
BUFFALOS
In general, all three varieties produced a dense enough canopy to prevent any weed evasion and showed the ability to need low maintenance.
Palmetto – for the past 12-months has comfortably grown with no signs of pests and diseases. It is a true “no fuss’ variety that appears reliable, consistent and to not produce much work in terms of maintenance. It has only been lightly fed with fertiliser but still able to produce a strong green open leaf canopy.
Sapphire – has shown a bit more vigorous growth over the past 12-months compared to Palmetto. It has held a good colour, lighter brighter green. The location it was laid was partly in the shade and Sapphire has proven its ability to be high in shade tolerance.
Prestige – has produced a deep dark green colour even when left to its own devices. The thick dense canopy has seen no weed invasion. It has good erect leaf growth and not a lot of runners that may evade other varieties. It appears denser than Sapphire. But like the other Buffalo varieties has been very low in maintenance.
KIKUYU
Kenda Kikuyu – has shown aggressive growth but not as aggressive as other Kikuyu varieties. It has shown upward leaf growth which suggests it has good wear recovery. It has a vibrant green colour and produces a beautiful green leaf.
COUCHES
OZTUFF Couch – produced a good fine leaf with not very invasive runners. This variety has the potential to look immaculate when well-maintained and would suit all locations along the east coast. OZTUFF lawn must be fully established before it will start looking like a perfect lawn. Give it about two months –after which you will have an exceptional looking lawn. A professional looking lawn that is low on cost.
Stadium Couch – has shown a superior green colour with a medium leaf size. Stadium also seems to have extremely low seed head.
ZOYSIAS
Augusta – an elite, first class lawn with a very fine leaf that is soft to touch underfoot. It is an ‘ornamental show piece’. The site came out of winter intentionally neglected but after a good hit of scalping and feed revigorated in just two weeks.
Empire – a stalwart grass that is stronger the then the other Zoysias. The ‘lie down test’ showed it to be less prickly then many other Zoysias. It also exhibited less thatch.
Nara – a nice, neat tight grass that was soft to touch underfoot. It exhibits characteristics such as less thatch, that means it will be low maintenance.
For more information on the Living Library, at Melbourne Polytechnic contact Steve Burt 0419 007 398.