We have started of with 2 small patches, one of Microlaena and one of Themeda, to allow her to evaluate the two grasses. We will proceed with further areas next spring using cell trays. Have encouraged her to collect seed and propagate the Microlaena herself to expand the grass area and save a bit on total cost.

My mixed Themeda/Microleana lawn is starting to look good. It is still pretty patchy however I have planted a whole heap more of cells in the bare patches. Have not yet mowed it because I am intending to harvest seeds first.

Have you tried Echinopogon sp., hedgehog grass, or Entolasia sp, or Oplismenus sp., all near me, may not extend to Melbourne.

What prepartation did you do to the soil, did you kill all the existing lawn before you started?

Popi

Although with my lawn I did not use much mulch because I am checking it every day and removing any weeds that appear.

Have only watered the newly planted cells in my lawn a once or twice, but other than that no. Although with the regular summer rain we have been getting the soil is still amply moist for the older grass tussocks.

My clients grass will not need watering at all since they were tube stock with much bigger root system and it rained heavily before the mulch was laid, so the soil is nicely wet under the mulch.

If I took seeds from plants growing in shady loamy areas then perhaps it might conceivably struggle up here in Epping.

For the uninitiated, what is Rup/Garlon.

Garlon
Is a broad leaf/woody weed specific herbicide. In general it does not effect grasses at all however I have discovered that it does knock Microlaena, although not kill it outright. Can also use MCPA or Kamba in place of Garlon and these are broad leaf specific herbicides though not that good for woody weeds. Need an Agricultural Chemical Users Permit to spray all of these.