Plant Doctor Archive

Browntop a better lawn?

Question COULD you please tell me, if I let my browntop lawn seed heads grow, will this natural seeding give me a better lawn?

Answer BROWNTOP (Agrostis tenuis) is a great grass for a quality lawn. It establishes well and has a good tolerance for shade, drought and wear. It is commonly used on golf greens and tolerates close mowing.

Not being a turf expert (although I do mow lawns...) I asked one of our horticulture lecturers, Reg Lewthwaite. Reg recommended that we talk to John McLaughlin, from Auckland City Parks Services.

John noted that browntop flower spikes can reach 150 mm or more in height, and when in flower, the base has a tendency to become very coarse (making cutting more difficult). If you are happy to have a “flowering forest”, the resulting seed drop could provide a better lawn due to a greater population of browntop.

However, this is quite hit and miss, and browntop can have a tendency to be invaded by perennial weeds, which would then require herbicide treatment. You may like to experiment on a part of your lawn rather than the whole thing.