Turf Laying and Watering Tips for Soft Leaf Buffalo Grass

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Known for its lush green and vibrant appearance, soft-leaf buffalo turf has quickly become the favourite among homeowners and landscaping professionals. This grass is known for creating beautiful and low-maintenance lawns. Soft leaf buffalo turf is known as buffalo turf, and it is a warm-season grass that comes with a very smooth texture, high resilience and shade tolerance. There are some easy-to-follow installation tips related to soft-leaf buffalo turf that we are going to discuss in this post.

HOW TO INSTALL SOFT-LEAF BUFFALO TURF?

Some common steps to install soft leaf buffalo turf are presented below.

1. Remove all building waste and weeds from the lawn.

2. Spread free-draining soil to a depth of 15 cm as the roots of soft-leaf buffalo turf can penetrate to this depth.

3. Alternatively, you can loosen up the ground and mix appropriate soil conditioners recommended by the vendors of palmetto buffalo turf.

4. You can mix organic materials and level the surface using a screening board for sandy soils.

5. You can apply a low-analysis fertiliser with an appropriate ratio of NPK – 5:6:5 or a lawn starter fertiliser.

6. If you are laying soft-leaf buffalo turf in the summer, water the soil, but don't make it too wet.

7. It is recommended not to lay the soft-leaf buffalo turf on hot and dry soil.

8. You must lay the buffalo turf as soon as it is delivered.

9. During the summer, you should lay a section of this turf and water it lightly. Repeat this process until the entire turf is laid.

10. The next step is to water the turf after laying. You must water it thoroughly for at least two weeks until the grass has established completely.

SOME COMMON WATERING TIPS ARE DISCUSSED BELOW

Newly installed soft-leaf buffalo turf has very high watering requirements. You must water the turf immediately after installation to help the grass establish sufficiently. This watering will also impact the quality of your lawn and determine how the lawn will flourish for years to come.

WATERING TIPS FOR SOFT-LEAF BUFFALO TURF

1. The lawn should have moisture along the first 7 to 10 cm inside the ground.

2. During watering, ensure that every area of the lawn gets adequate water.

3. Sprinkler systems are ideal for watering soft leaf buffalo turf.

4. You must start watering the grass within half an hour after laying it on the soil.

5. This watering should be done at least 3 cm above the ground to make sure that the soil beneath the turf is adequately wet. 

Soft Leaf Buffalo Turf Mowing and Watering Tips

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A well-maintained lawn looks beautiful and gives an enchanting appearance to any property's front area. This lawn can have flowers, some essential shrubs and a well-maintained soft leaf buffalo turf. Buffalo turf is recommended over other grass varieties available in Australia, as it is hardy, shade tolerant and can stay green all year round. It can tolerate more physical traffic than other grass varieties. Let us understand some common maintenance tips for soft leaf buffalo turf, and we will start with watering-related guidelines.

HOW TO WATER SOFT LEAF BUFFALO LAWN?

Different factors come into play when determining the right amount of water for soft leaf buffalo lawn. For example, location, climate, amount of sunlight, and the age of grass are all factors that will affect the amount of water to be applied to this turf. Vendors and turf suppliers recommend two or three deep soakings per week. One common mistake that homeowners make is that they don't water the soft leaf buffalo turf or the Matilda turf thinking that it can sustain on its own without water. However, this is not the case, and regular watering will keep it green while reducing thatch and dead patches.

HOW TO KNOW IF SOFT LEAF BUFFALO TURF NEEDS MORE WATER?

Turf suppliers can give you valuable tips on how to know when your soft leaf buffalo turf requires more watering. The presence of brown patches is the first indicator that your lawn is dry and requires more watering.

You can use a garden trowel and take the soil to see the soil moisture depth. If the soil is moist to about 1 inch, sufficient water is present there.

USEFUL TIPS ON MAINTAINING A TIDY LAWN

MOW REGULARLY

Regular mowing at a consistent height is the key to a lawn's health, and you can maintain the height consistently using the mulch mowing process.

TRIMMING THE EDGES

You can trim the edges using a line trimmer and give your soft-leaf buffalo turf a tidy appearance. An edge trimmer will also help you remove clippings easily.

FERTILISE REGULARLY

Experts also recommend timely fertiliser application on your soft leaf buffalo turf and Matilda buffalo turf. There are guidelines related to fertiliser application that you can obtain from your turf supplier, depending on your region's climate.

WHAT ARE THE PROS OF SOFT LEAF BUFFALO TURF?

The top advantages of soft leaf buffalo that make it an ideal turf for Australia are presented below.

• A good choice for families with kids and pets
• Stay greener in winter
• It is more shade-tolerant than other types of grass

A Quick Overview Of Palmetto Soft Leaf Buffalo Grass Characteristics

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Among all the turfs available in Australia, palmetto buffalo turf holds a special place, and it is considered the most popular and most recommended turf in Australia. It has many advantages that make it a perfect turf for residential and commercial properties. Let us understand some fast facts about palmetto buffalo turf and its main characteristics.

FAST FACTS

• High shade tolerance

• Low maintenance

• High wear tolerance

• Excellent winter-green colour

• Broadleaf and soft to touch

• Produces low seed head

• Common irritant to people with allergies

WHAT ARE THE MAIN CHARACTERISTICS OF PALMETTO SOFT LEAF BUFFALO TURF?

The most amazing thing about this turf is that it can outperform even the most versatile Sir Walter buffalo turf very easily. It maintains its colour, hardness and growth speed, and since, it grows slower than other turf varieties, it requires less maintenance, less mowing, etc.

Another interesting feature of palmetto buffalo turf compared to couch grass is that it requires less watering and, as mentioned above, less mowing than several other turf varieties. This means you can maintain a great-looking lawn without any hard work.

Palmetto buffalo turf has strong-growing runners that allow it to grow across the ground rather than upwards. This means you will have a dense lawn with amazing wear tolerance and recovery rate. These strong growing runners are also a reason why palmetto buffalo turf is great in outcompeting weeds.

An exciting feature of palmetto buffalo turf is that it can maintain its excellent green colour even during winter. It performs very impressively in shade conditions as well. Due to the deep root system, it requires less watering than couch grass and is considered a fantastic drought-tolerant grass.

HOW TO MAINTAIN PALMETTO SOFT LEAF BUFFALO TURF?

In terms of maintenance, turf suppliers mostly recommend mowing between 2 and 5 centimetres during the summer season. You can also cut this grass to this height in full sun conditions. In shaded areas, the ideal cutting height recommended by turf suppliers is 5 cm to 7 cm. It should be mowed every 7 to 10 days during warmer months and every 3 to 6 weeks in the winter season.

A Quick Glance on the Versatile Features of Buffalo Grass

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Some property owners in Australia want to give their property a greener look, but they don't like to invest time in maintenance, looking after and caring. Buffalo grass is an ideal solution for them, as it requires very low maintenance when established, and this is the top USP of this native North American grass. Several things are there to understand about this turf, and we have covered the most important ones here in this post.

BUFFALO GRASS AT A GLANCE

Classification: warm-season grass

Spreads by: stolons

Shade tolerance: very low — best suited for full sun

Drought resistance high

Foot traffic tolerance: very low, but light use or rare heavy use is ok

Maintenance needs: low mowing frequency — once per week or less

Mowing height: 2-4 inches or leave unmowed

Potential for disease: good tolerance against diseases and insects

Soil pH: 6.5-7.5

Soil type: native soils, not sandy soils

WHAT IS BUFFALO GRASS?

Buffalo grass is a native of western and central regions and as the name suggests, it was mainly used for grazing animals, but currently, it is the top favourite to have a lush green lawn in front of their property. It is a very low-maintenance grass that can survive in every kind of weather easily. It has several features that make it an ideal solution for any local ecosystem. Some of them are listed below.

Low maintenance, once established

Less water once established than other turf grasses

Few insect and disease problems

A downside associated with soft leaf buffalo grass is that it has a very open growth habit. This is a boon in disguise, actually, as turfs and grasses with open growth habits can battle weeds easily. However, if weeds are more prevalent in your region, it will be essential to use weed control products and weedicides to clear the weeds.

WHAT ARE THE MAJOR PROS AND CONS OF BUFFALO GRASS?

PROS

Establish via seed, sod, or plugs

No water once established, although it will go dormant in summer without some rainfall or supplemental irrigation.

Low fertiliser requirement once established

No significant disease or insect issues

A soft, barefoot grass

CONS

Not a fire-safe grass

Open growth habit means weeds are a constant battle

Higher seed costs and extensive water needs make establishing a lawn expensive

CARING FOR BUFFALO GRASS

As far as mowing is concerned, you will have to take some very basic steps to maintain this grass by mowing. The top three steps to take in this regard are listed below.

Higher-Quality Lawns: Mow Every Week At 2-3 Inches

Low-Maintenance Lawns: Mow Every Three To Four Weeks At 3-4 Inches

Unmowed Lawns: Mow Once Per Year In Spring At 3-4 Inches.

Kikuyu Grass – Why Choose It Over Buffalo Grass?

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A greenery lover homeowner takes pride in maintaining greenery around the property and keeping the lawn well-maintained. This maintenance becomes very easy for any property owner if Kikuyu grass is installed. It is known for its medium to dark green colour and coarse texture. Due to several reasons, like numerous stolons and rhizomes, this turf is a suitable choice for lawns all across Australia. Another feature is its adaptability to the local climate. This means it will thrive well in warm environments while tolerating extended periods of drought. Let us quickly understand why you must rely upon Kikuyu grass for your lawn.

WHY CHOOSE KIKUYU TURF OVER OTHERS?

VIGOROUS GROWTH AND QUICK ESTABLISHMENT

Kikuyu turf is the most impressive in vigorous growth and quick establishment. It can survive well in warm climates, and you will find it establishing rapidly in your lawn to provide a lush green carpet.

INCREDIBLE DROUGHT TOLERANCE

Just like the buffalo grass lawn, Kikuyu turf is also an incredible performer in drought tolerance. In other words, this turf can survive and perform very impressively, even with minimal irrigation once established. This turf has deep roots that help in survival by pulling water from deeper and deeper into this soil.

HEAVY FOOT TRAFFIC IS NOT AN ISSUE

Kikuyu grass also has incredible qualities related to tolerating heavy foot traffic and the damage caused by kids and pets. This turf recovers quickly from any damage or wear and tear that it experiences. This makes it a top choice for sporting fields, stadiums, playgrounds and households where kids and pets reside.

Moreover, Kikuyu turf is more affordable than other available options. It can thrive well in complete sun conditions, but yes, it is an invasive grass, and this means that it will require more mowing and maintenance than usual.

HOW TO MAINTAIN KIKUYU GRASS?

Kikuyu requires regular watering to stay lush and green. 

Water deeply and infrequently to encourage deep root growth. 

Water early morning or late afternoon.

Keep Kikuyu at an optimal height of around 2.5 to 4 centimetres.

Regular mowing is necessary during the active growing season.

Avoid cutting more than one-third of the grass's height.

Regularly inspect your lawn and manually remove weeds.

Kikuyu Grass Vs. Buffalo Grass – Which One to Choose and Why?

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So many different grass varieties are incredibly popular in Australia. The top names are Sir Walter Buffalo Grass and Kikuyu Grass. These two names are the most preferred and recommended, and they differ in several ways. People often get confused about selection, and we have come up with a post discussing the main differences between the Sir Walter buffalo grass and Kikuyu grass.

DIFFERENCE IN TERMS OF SHADE TOLERANCE

Kikuyu grass thrives in almost all conditions, and it is not necessarily a shade-loving grass. But yes, it can hold itself in some shade for sure. On the other hand, Sir Walter DNA-certified buffalo grass can perform very handsomely in shaded areas. It can survive well in regions that experience a minimum of 3 hours of sunlight daily.

DIFFERENCE IN TERMS OF DROUGHT TOLERANCE

Australia experiences dry and hot weather conditions for most of the year, and it is essential to consider this factor when selecting the turf. Areas like New South Wales are scorching, and the good thing is that both Kikuyu and buffalo are great for dry weather and drought-prone regions. Kikuyu grass features large prostrate runners that seek moisture from inside the ground. These runners have an awe-inspiring growth rate, and they establish faster than others. On the other hand, buffalo grass is also known as a superior drought-tolerant turf. The buffalo grass lawn features a good quality deep root system that penetrates well into the subsoil to fetch moisture.

DIFFERENCE IN TERMS OF MAINTENANCE

Homeowner's first choice is a low-maintenance grass that doesn't require investment of time and money. Regarding maintenance, Sir Walter buffalo grass and Kikuyu grass are equally impressive as they don't require much attention after growing successfully. There will be no need to use chemicals for lawn care. On the other hand, Kikuyu grass withstands heavy foot traffic very quickly, and it can even survive in dry conditions without too much watering. Kikuyu is also known for its invasive nature, and in some cases, it can become a headache to deal with it.

DIFFERENCE IN TERMS OF WEAR AND TEAR

Kikuyu grass has superior wear tolerance and recovery rate compared to buffalo grass lawns. Prostate runners present in this turf give it a deep root system. This turf is also the quickest-growing variety that can recover from activities like kids and pets playing on the lawn, home parties, etc. Sir Walter buffalo grass lawn is also hard-wearing and has a strong, deep root system that maximises nutrient intake. It is perfect for areas where kids and pets love to play on the lawn. 

How Do You Identify Kikuyu Grass?

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Good quality grass can transform your dull-looking lawn into a lush green oasis. When choosing a suitable turf, most people opt for Kikuyu turf, as it stands out as the most popular and resilient option. However, identifying kikuyu grass is a challenge in itself, but by following some valuable tricks and determining the features, this identification becomes very easy. In this blog post, we explore some useful ideas for identifying kikuyu grass, but initially, we go through the top characteristics.

WHAT ARE THE CHARACTERISTICS OF KIKUYU GRASS?

Kikuyu grass is a perennial grass, and it grows very well under cool and warm temperatures when the conditions are humid. The good thing is that it can survive high temperatures as well. If left unmowed, Kikuyu grass will reach almost 18 inches. This turf can grow up over the fences into the trees and shrubs. When mowed, the Kikuyu grass can survive the cutting height of less than half inches.

HOW TO IDENTIFY KIKUYU GRASS?

According to the vendors of palmetto buffalo turf, identifying kikuyu grass is not easy as you will find the leaves in very light green colour. These leaves can be 1 to 10 inches long and pointed from the top. The leaf blades are flat and 1/8 to 1/4 inches wide.

WHAT DOES KIKUYU GRASS LOOK LIKE?

Kikuyu grass has creeping stems, and they form a dense mat of green vegetation. The leaves are primarily short and have a coarse texture.

IS KIKUYU GRASS HARD TO MAINTAIN

This is a complete myth, and the fact is that this grass will be easiest to maintain, but it will require regular attention and upkeep. For example – mowing will become a weekly task to keep the grass attractive. Some details related to maintenance are presented below.

• Cut to as low as 1″ (2cm) in winter

• Let it grow a bit longer in hotter months.

• Watering is essential for a new Kikuyu lawn.

• Once established, this robust lawn will withstand long periods of drought.

HOW ARE KIKUYU GRASS AND BUFFALO GRASS DIFFERENT?

The appearance of these two grasses is wholly different and very helpful in identifying them. For example – kikuyu grass has medium leaf blades, but buffalo grass comes with broad leaves. Kikuyu is bright green in colour, and buffalo grass comes with a deep green colour.