Grass!

Last week we found out all about grass (also known as lawn or turf or pasture) from the amazing Nigel Johnston (local grass growing expert).

Grass roots - literally!

We found out that grass doesn’t need soil to grow – it needs sun and water. The soil is good for cows to sit on though. Grass in lakes wouldn’t help the farmers very much. Farmers feed grass to animals because it is a cheap form of food (because it grows back!) One seed grows a hand-size clump of grass that can live for 1 or up to 10 years. Grass does have flowers – not big bright colourful ones – they look like little green and brown seed clumps. Grass ‘leaves’ are called tillers.

Rye grass

Rye grass is the most common form of grass grown in New Zealand soil. It is a very soft and juicy grass – just perfect for cows. Rye has red or purple colouring at the base of the leaves and has smaller roots, so it can only survive a few weeks without rain.

Cocksfoot grass

Cocksfoot grass is used for sheep and beef farms in hardier climates. It has a bigger root system and can survive a long time (3-4 months) without rain. It is much tougher.

Clover

Clover is the most important plant for NZ farmers. It has large round leaves that hold more digestable energy for cows and sheep. Clover roots spread out across the ground to make new plants without any seeds! Clover even makes its own fertilizer, which can be used by the other plants around it – it is a magical plant! Clover needs a lot of water because it has quite small roots. Clover has white flowers.

Nigel loves clover!

Worms keep the soil healthy for the grass. Grass grubs eat the roots of the grass and it can die. People should not eat grass – people don’t have the right kind of stomach to digest the fibre in grass and you would get a very sore tummy! 

Thank you Nigel for teaching us all about grass!