Choosing the right grass for spring establishment is essential for delivering a lush lawn by early summer. Landscaping professionals, turf resellers, and sports field managers all agree – turf choice is critical. Selecting fast-establishing turf varieties that also meet your site’s climate, soil type, and maintenance demands will ensure a beautiful lawn that thrives through spring’s active growing season and beyond. This article compares four standout turf varieties — Wintergreen Couch, Zoysia Grass, IronCutter Bermuda, and Buffalo Grass. Ranked by spring growth speed, each grass variety offers unique strengths for turf for landscaping, from dense growth habit and high wear tolerance to drought tolerance and shade tolerance. They also happen to be our most recommended varieties here at Australian Lawn Concepts. So in case you want to learn more about these options, scroll through our turf varieties to learn more. Meanwhile, let’s start ranking and raking for the best grass for spring!
Ranking the Best Turf Grasses for Spring Establishment
Based on growing season performance in Australian lawns:
- IronCutter Bermuda Grass – Fastest growth and high wear tolerance.
- Wintergreen Couch – Quick establishment with dense turf.
- Buffalo Grass – Good shade tolerance and year-round durability.
- Zoysia Grass – Slowest starter, but premium long-term lawn care benefits.
1. IronCutter Bermuda Grass – The Fastest Turf for Landscaping
Best for: Golf courses, sports fields, and commercial turf grasses needing heavy foot traffic durability.
IronCutter is a warm season grass with a fine leaf and spreading growth habit. It establishes faster than most other warm season varieties, making it the best grass for projects needing quick coverage. It handles extreme heat and full sun exposure, thrives in sandy soils, and offers high drought tolerance once it becomes an established lawn.
Advantages for professionals:
- Exceptional dense growth habit for high wear tolerance.
- Responds well to frequent mowing.
- Maintains colour in warmer temperatures.
- Works with other grasses for blended lawn types.
Maintenance tip: Keep soil moist during establishment, then reduce watering to encourage a deep root system and healthy growth.
2. Wintergreen Couch Grass – Fast and Reliable
Best for: Home lawns, parks, and council-maintained lawn varieties in full sun.
Wintergreen Couch is a proven grass species for Australian lawns. It has a fine leaf and vibrant green colour, with a dense turf that quickly repairs from wear. This warm season variety thrives in full sun exposure and handles heavy foot traffic during peak growing season.
Advantages for professionals:
- Suited to golf courses and sports fields.
- Excellent spreading growth habit for quick recovery.
- Works well in soil type ranges from sandy soils to loams.
Maintenance tip: Mow regularly for best results. If shade is a concern, combine with soft leaf buffalo for better shade tolerant coverage.
3. Buffalo Grass – Palmetto, Sapphire, Sir Walter Buffalo Grass
Best for: Mixed light conditions and shade tolerance without sacrificing beautiful lawn appeal.
Buffalo Grass is a warm season grass that balances moderate foot traffic durability with low maintenance needs.
Variety strengths:
- Palmetto Buffalo Grass – Strong drought tolerant performance, colour retention in mild winters.
- Sapphire Buffalo Grass – Finer leaf and lush lawn look, great for beautiful lawn projects.
- Sir Walter Buffalo Grass – Resilient in full sun and shaded sites.
Advantages for professionals:
- Handles other warm season varieties in blends.
- High drought tolerance with low maintenance needs.
- Performs in various soil types including sandy soils.
Maintenance tip: Keep mowing frequency moderate to avoid scalping and maintain healthy growth.
4. Zoysia Grass – Nara Native, Augusta, Empire
Best for: High-end lawn types prioritising low maintenance and drought tolerance over speed.
Zoysia Grass is slower to establish in spring planting but provides one of the most dense turf finishes among turf grasses. Its shade tolerance, and high drought tolerance make it a premium choice for home lawn and commercial landscaping where low maintenance is valued.
Variety strengths:
- Nara Native Zoysia – An Australian native grass type with drought tolerance and salt tolerance for coastal projects.
- Augusta Zoysia – Fine-leaf elegance for beautiful lawn results.
- Empire Zoysia – Coarser leaf with fast recovery in warmer temperatures.
Advantages for professionals:
- More resistant to weeds due to dense growth habits.
- Performs in full sun and with moderate foot traffic.
Professional Turf Comparison Table
| Turf Variety | Spring Growth Speed | Traffic Tolerance | Shade Tolerance | Drought Tolerance | Maintenance Level |
| IronCutter Bermuda | Very Fast | High | Low | High | Medium |
| Wintergreen Couch | Fast | High | Low | Moderate | Medium |
| Buffalo Grass (Palmetto, Sapphire, Sir Walter) | Moderate | Medium-High | High | High | Low |
| Zoysia Grass (Nara Native, Augusta, Empire) | Moderate | Medium | Medium | Very High | Low |
FAQs on Turf for Landscaping Professionals
Q: Which turf varieties are the best grass for quick spring growth?
A: IronCutter Bermuda Grass and Wintergreen Couch Grass are top performers for warm season grass growth rates.
Q: Which turf grasses have the highest drought tolerance?
A: Zoysia Grass (especially Nara Native) and Buffalo Grass (Palmetto) rank highest for high drought tolerance.
Q: If Zoysia is slower, why choose it?
A: Its low mowing needs, premium appearance, and resilience make it perfect for low maintenance long-term projects.
Q: How to promote healthy growth after planting in spring?
A: Keep soil moist until turf roots knit in, adjust mowing frequency to the growth rate, and feed with a balanced fertiliser.
Q: What is the right grass for sandy soils with full sun exposure?
A: IronCutter Bermuda Grass and couch grass thrive in sandy soils with full sun.
Final Word for Turf Selection
Choosing the right grass for spring depends on your project’s soil type, sun exposure, and intended lawn care routine.
- For fast coverage and high wear tolerance, IronCutter Bermuda leads the way.
- For versatile performance, Wintergreen Couch is a great grass for Australian lawns.
- For shade tolerant and low-maintenance needs, Buffalo Grass varieties excel.
- For premium, low maintenance results, Zoysia Grass delivers unmatched drought tolerance and a dense turf finish.
If you need more advice and guidance, you can always reach out to our experts for professional recommendations and trade secrets.