Why Can't I Just Get Wintergreen Couch? Why the Cheapest Turf Isn't Always the Right Choice

Before we begin, Nullarbor Couch is a great grass; we know it, we grow it, and we love it.

It's just not always the right option.

When people's eyes glaze over to the price per square metre without considering their individual circumstances of shade, maintenance, drought, lifestyle, etc., that's where problems begin to appear.

If price is your primary decision maker, we should consider the total cost of ownership. While Nullarbor might cost less upfront, it doesn't necessarily save you money in the long run, as maintenance costs also need to be taken into account.

But we're getting ahead of ourselves.

Between our Sir Grange Zoysia, Zoysia Australis, TifTuf Hybrid Bermuda, Nullarbor Couch and Sir Walter DNA Certified Buffalo, we have a grass for every South East Queensland yard. And the answer isn't always going to be Nullarbor. 

So today, we'll be answering the common question: "Why can't I just get Wintergreen?"

Wintergreen vs Nullarbor: What's the Difference?

"Wait, I thought you grew Nullarbor?"

Yeah, they're the same thing. Nullarbor is simply the specific name for this Wintergreen  Couch variety.

Nullarbor is a top-performing couch grass for the South East Queensland climate. It has an attractive, luscious green colour with fine leaf blades and a strong horizontal growth habit, making it perfect for high-wear commercial, sports, and home applications.

Like we said, it looks great. We can't stress that enough.

Can I Just Get Couch Grass?  

First off, regardless of your circumstances, you can get Nullarbor Couch from GoTurf. In fact, you can add it straight to your cart as we speak. Whether or not you have the time and patience to maintain Nullarbor, or your yard has suitable conditions for it to thrive, is another question entirely.

When Couch Grass IS the Right Choice

Let's start with when couch is the perfect call:

You're Not Living in the Property Long-Term

We're trying to be funny. If you're selling and someone else will be maintaining the property, go for gold. 

Your Yard Gets Bucketloads of Sun

Nullarbor Couch thrives with 5-6 hours of direct sunlight per day. It's an excellent choice for large acreage applications, sports fields, commercial sites, and home settings without large trees casting shade.

You Want Durability

Nullarbor Couch is as tough as boots. It can tolerate high foot traffic, making it perfect for:

• Families with active kids who love outdoor sports

• Football and cricket grounds

• Parks and community spaces with regular heavy use

It features strong horizontal growth with stolons and rhizomes that form a dense, wear-resistant surface that repairs quickly after damage.

Now, the dense growth habit creates excellent wear resistance but comes with a trade-off: Nullarbor requires regular dethatching to remove sponginess and prevent thatch buildup.

You Enjoy Regular Lawn Maintenance

For home applications, Nullarbor Couch is ideal for those who genuinely enjoy their weekly mowing session (during warmer months) and don't mind applying fertiliser more regularly. 

When properly maintained, Nullarbor rewards you with a lush, dark green lawn with soft, fine-leaf blades that feel like carpet under bare feet.

When Couch ISN'T the Answer

Here's the flip side: when Nullarbor might cause nothing but headaches.

You're Chasing Low Maintenance

Nullarbor Couch has higher maintenance requirements than some of the other grass types you might be familiar with:

• During the summer, you need to mow every 5-7 days

• Requires frequent fertiliser applications

• Develops thatch buildup that requires regular dethatching 

• A high-input option that demands consistent care

Your Yard is Shady

With only 25% shade tolerance, stay clear of couch if you don't have abundant sunlight. Nullarbor needs sun to survive, and it simply can't tolerate shade as well as other varieties.

You Want Premium Performance Features

You might prefer premium turf varieties that offer:

• Higher shade tolerance

• Better disease resistance

• Superior drought tolerance

• Less frequent mowing requirements

If any of the above pique your interest, Nullarbor is a no-go. 

What Are These Premium Alternatives?

Here are the GoTurf varieties that outperform Nullarbor:

Sir Walter DNA Certified Buffalo - "Australia's Number 1"

Perfect for shade and low maintenance:

• Thrives with just 3-4 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Self-repairs quickly (goodbye bare patches)

• Excellent drought tolerance

• Low-allergenic for kids and pets

• Tight growth habit that resists weeds

• Best for: First-time turf buyers, busy families, anyone wanting reliability

Zoysia Australis - "The Ultra Low-Maintenance Option"

For the truly time-poor:

• Can be left unmown for up to 12 months (maximum height: 60-80mm)

• Excellent shade tolerance where other grasses fail

• A strong root system means less watering stress

• Beautiful blue-green leaf colour

• Best for: Busy households wanting a low-maintenance buffalo alternative

TifTuf Hybrid Bermuda - "The Smart Couch Upgrade"

All of couch's benefits, but better:

• Establishes roots in just 7 days (75% faster than other varieties)

• Superior wear tolerance and rapid recovery

• Fine leaf texture with bright green colour

• Requires less time, effort, and resources than a regular couch

• Used by professional sporting complexes

• Best for: Families with pets and kids, hot climates, high-traffic areas

Sir Grange Zoysia - "The Show Stopper"

For those wanting luxury:

• Often needs little to no fertilisation

• Fine leaf texture with bright green colour

• Adaptable to various mowing heights

• Excellent shade tolerance and drought resistance

• Less frequent mowing is required

• Best for: Those wanting a hardy yet luxurious lawn

Choose Based on Your Lifestyle

Long story short, if you want couch, get the couch. We won't stand in your way - it's a great grass after all.

However, when selecting your turf variety, it's crucial to consider your individual requirements and think beyond the price tag. While Nullarbor costs less upfront, it requires more fertiliser and maintenance than our other varieties.

Our premium varieties are priced higher for good reasons - they come with unique benefits that can save you time, water, and effort in the long run.

Ready to Choose Your Perfect Turf?

If you're open to exploring options and seeing which variety suits your yard best, have a chat with our team. We'll help you choose based on your specific conditions.

And if you've got your mind set on Nullarbor Couch? Get that order in, and we'll get it on its way.

Every purchase of Nullarbor Couch from GoTurf comes with a Lawn Solutions Australia Product Warranty Certificate, ensuring you receive genuine turf backed by our nationwide warranty.

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