Are You Considering Berea/Richmond Grass?
Berea grass, also known as LM grass (named after the capital of Mozambique, previously Lourenço Marques, now Maputo).
Largely found in Mozambique and along the Natal coast, this is how Berea grass acquired so many nicknames.
Scientific name Dactylotenuim australe, this grass is common in most east African regions. Hence, it’s common names, this grass also goes by Berea, Richmond or Durban grass, Natal crowfoot, and many more.
This grass is an evergreen variety and performs great all year round. The grass itself is very dense and dark green in colour.
With proper care, it is easy to maintain this colour and keep your grass performing well.
Unlike Kikuyu and Bermuda grass, Berea/Richmond grass holds up well in shady conditions, as well as full sun.
It is also considered far less aggressive than both Kikuyu and Bermuda.
If you are from a warmer climate or going through a dry spell, this grass is heat tolerant and drought resistant.
Caring for your Berea/Richmond grass:
Pests & Disease
- White Grubs
- Mole Crickets
- Lawn Caterpillars
- Brown Patch (fungal disease)
- Dollar Spot (fungal disease)
Water
Like most other grasses LM grass loves water and requires it to stay full and green. We recommend watering your garden grass 2-3 times a week for best results.
What to expect in winter
Berea/Richmond grass has the potential to stay green all year long. Which is great news for corporates and homeowners that are wanting to avoid the dormant/brown grass of winter.
For areas that experience extreme cold (the snow and frost kind of cold), we recommend holding off on the mowing to prevent cold damage.
What to expect in summer
Although green throughout the year, your grass will perform wonderfully in summer with regular maintenance (including watering and mowing).
Be careful not to mow Berea grass too short, keep it to a minimum of 3cm in the sunny spots and 5cm in shaded areas.