Description
There are not many parts of Southern Australia that Wallaby grass cannot be found growing. They occur in ditches, on ridges, on airports, on plains and mountains, near the sea, on poor soils, on perfect soils – they can be found all over southern Australia. What’s more, the various species of wallaby grasses overlap greatly. You will often find three or four species growing alongside each other.
TOLERANCES
Wallaby grass is known for its high drought tolerance & high heat tolerance. As well as its high acid soil tolerance & high frost tolerance.
SOILS
Oxley Wallaby grass can grow on most soil types from sandy soils with varying levels of clay. Oxley Wallaby grass can grow across a range of pH levels from acidic to moderate alkaline.
USES
Horticulture – Wallaby grass has been successful in-between rows of vines or trees to control erosion. Using Wallaby grass as an interrow crop also reduces surface temperature. As well as weed control and lower saline water tables. Wallaby grasses low summer activity means that it will not compete strongly with the vines or trees for moisture.
Landscaping – It is also an attractive and versatile plant for landscaping applications. Golf course roughs commonly use Wallaby grass for its low maintenance requirements. There is also the added benefit the golf ball being still easy to located in the wallaby roughs. Meaning that usually a shot is playable.
Insects & Birds – Wallaby grass is a preferred habitat for many butterflies and moths. This includes the critically endangered Golden Sun Moth.
Unfortunately due to quarantine restrictions this product can not be sold as a mix to Western Australia, however the Oxley Wallaby grass can be purchased separately.
SOWING
SOWING GUIDELINES
- For best results try to ensure that the seed bed is weed free. Native grasses are slow growers and effective weed control is highly desirable.
- It is also incredibly helpful to know the pH levels of your soil so take soil sample to test your soil pH level, following test kit instructions.
- While the soil is under preparation, it is a good idea to sow a few seeds into a sterile seed raising mix to be kept moist until germination. This will allow for easier identification of lawn seedlings once the lawn is sown.
- Before sowing, the soil surface should be loosened with either a rake or harrows to ensure adequate seed to soil contact.
- No fertiliser is necessary. in particular, avoid any phosphate-based fertilisers. The addition of organic matter however will add to a successful result.
- Spread the seed evenly over the prepared surface and rake it in, so it is lightly covered. Seed sown deeper than 15 mm may not germinate.
- Where possible, try rolling the area as it lightly presses soil particles together and ensures grass seeds are in contact with the soil. This will eliminate air pockets that could interfere with seed germination and growth and a rolled seedbed also holds moisture longer.
- If there is access to irrigation, for the first three weeks, water approximately 2-3 times a week, taking into account the weather. Where there is no access to irrigation, sow from autumn to spring coincided with rain. It is important after sowing grass seed to ensure seeds do not dry out.
- Use the sown seed sample to help identify grass seedlings from weeds.
BEST TIME TO SOW
| Irrigation |
Sow all year round |
| No irrigation |
Sow from autumn to spring coincided with rain |
Unfortunately due to Quarantine restrictions this product is not available to Western Australia
Additional Sowing Agent
What is a Vermiculite mix?
Our seed mixes all include vermiculite, a commonly used product in the horticultural sector in its exfoliated form. There are a few reasons we mix our seeds with vermiculite:
- Native grasses come in all shapes and sizes which generally makes them harder to mix and distribute evenly. Vermiculite is a proven method for creating consistent mix that is substantially easier to sow.
- Vermiculite is ideal for the germination of seeds because its water holding capacity make it a excellent medium for direct contact with the seeds. Vermiculite helps create a humid micro climate around the emerging seedlings preventing scorching or drying out
- Vermiculite is a great soil improver due to its aeration properties. This increases your soil structure and gives your seedlings a helping hand to have good root growth
- Vermiculite’s exchange properties can absorb excess nutrients and release them slowly to the plants via the finest root hair
