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.

Why Is Palmetto Buffalo The Top-Selling Grass In Sydney?

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A lush green lawn in front of your property is enough to rejuvenate you every morning and when you return from a tiring day. This is possible only when you have chosen the suitable turf based on your region's climate and soil type. One turf that works regardless of the environment and soil is palmetto. This is why Sydney buffalo lawns with palmetto are seen on every property.

It is a high-quality grass known for its outstanding winter colour and less water and maintenance-related requirements compared to other turf varieties. Here are the top reasons why the Palmetto Sydney buffalo has attained so much name, fame and popularity.

WHY PEOPLE IN SYDNEY LOVE PALMETTO BUFFALO GRASS?

SUPER SOFT

This feature is not found in any other turf, including other varieties belonging to the buffalo turf family. It doesn't have scratchy barbs and is super soft to touch and feel. This makes it a fabulous choice for residential lawns across Sydney.

OUTSTANDING IN WINTERS

Palmetto Sydney buffalo turf is known for its outstanding performance in the winter season. It maintains its green appearance in the most challenging winter seasons when other turfs of the buffalo family get pale. Studies show that palmetto buffalo grass has 76% better green colour than other Sydney buffalo turfs.

LESS MOWING REQUIRED

You will save a lot of time with this turf, as it does not require too much mowing. This is particularly beneficial if you want turf that requires less maintenance or you travel more and have less time to dedicate towards maintenance.

GREAT WEAR TOLERANCE

Compared to other turfs used in Sydney buffalo lawns, palmetto has excellent wear tolerance, as it grows fast on the ground. If you want a functional and fabulous lawn, you can invest in Palmetto Sydney buffalo turf.

INCREDIBLE PERFORMANCE IN FULL SUN

Another reason behind the popularity of palmetto grass is that it performs exceptionally well in full sun conditions. At the same time, you will find it performing equally great in shaded areas. It only requires 4 hours of direct sunlight, and this fact makes it the most shade-resistant turf in the market.

Some other factors that contribute immensely to the popularity of palmetto buffalo turf are – 

• It is ideal for beachfront homes and homes on barrier islands

• You will not have to spend a fortune on fertilizers and herbicides

• It has a deep root system that makes it a drought-resistant turf

• It is a low-allergenic variety available economically

• It creates a dense turf under the foot without any significant thatch issue

Buffalo vs. Kikuyu Grass – Which Is the Ultimate Winner?

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In any typical Australian lawn, you will find the most common turfs available in Australia, like Kikuyu and Buffalo. These are the two most prominent varieties in every property with a garden or a lawn. Both these types are popular for their distinctive features and characteristics. This factor hardens the selection process, but we have developed the blog post to guide you in choosing the right one based on your requirements.

COLOUR AND APPEARANCE – KIKUYU GRASS AND BUFFALO GRASS

In terms of overall appearance, these two grasses are completely different. One grass type has a light hue, while the next one boasts dark green colour, and this makes them two different sides of a spectrum. Eureka Kikuyu grass, in particular, offers the perfect sun-kissed look with its light shade. Sir Walter DNA-certified buffalo grass is another option known for its excellent colour retention properties.

DURABILITY FACTOR – BUFFALO Vs KIKUYU

Eureka Kikuyu grass is known to resist high traffic very easily due to its medium coarse leaf. Also, it is highly resistant to all kinds of wear and tear experienced after children and pets have spent hours playing on it. Kikuyu grass is known as a stable turf due to its reliability and strength.

Sir Walter buffalo grass and palmetto grass are equally tough competitors in terms of self-repairing. Just like the Kikuyu turf, buffalo turf will also bounce back easily upon getting damaged.

HEAT AND DROUGHT TOLERANCE – BUFFALO Vs. KIKUYU

Australian weather is the biggest challenge for any grass, and the hot weather can dry any turf in a few days. This is where Kikuyu and palmetto grass can be beneficial, as they are incredible performers in drought-like conditions. Eureka Kikuyu can retain its colour all year round due to its deep root system that delivers water from deep inside the soil. Sir Walter and palmetto are also known for great wear tolerance properties, and they can manage to survive even during the hottest and driest summer season.

PERFORMANCE – BUFFALO Vs KIKUYU

If you are searching for the best-performing lawn, buffalo and Kikuyu grass are the answers. However, Kikuyu grass will require more maintenance and hence, it is ideal if you have adequate time for maintenance. The good news is that Kikuyu is known for its weed and pest resistance, and these factors will not influence the quality at all.

Why Choose Natural Grass Over Synthetic Grass?

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 Nothing is more rejuvenating in the morning than a lawn full of lush green grass. This grass is available in two forms these days – natural grass and synthetic grass. People are confused because of the lack of correct resources on the Internet to guide them on whether to choose artificial turf or natural turf like palmetto buffalo. We have created a blog post to discuss the dissimilarities between natural and synthetic turf.

WHICH TURF TO CHOOSE – SYNTHETIC OR NATURAL?

Natural grass is recommended for your lawn, as it has several advantages over synthetic turfs. For example – it is natural and hence, safer in comparison to fake or plastic turf. It is also economically available and easy to install, thereby offering much better value than synthetic grass.

Why Choose Natural Turf Over Synthetic Turf?

A Natural And Safe Lawn

When you choose a natural turf for your buffalo lawn Sydney, you give a natural and safe playground for your kids to play in. Due to aerated soil, the best buffalo lawn Sydney will provide substantial shock absorption for several sports and recreational activities.

On the other hand, fake plastic grass is installed on a hard base, and there is very less shock absorption feature available.

Good Looking And Soothing

Anyone can detect an artificial lawn from a far distance and get disappointed to see fake grass there. On the other hand, natural grass like palmetto buffalo, couch grass, or Kikuyu will instantly soothe the senses as soon as they catch their attention. Studies say that naturally green grass is psychologically calming and can relax your eyes.

Natural Turf Is Cooler Than Fake Grass

During the warm summer season, the natural grass will stay cooler due to the presence of an adequate amount of water. Synthetic grass will continue to get warmer and warmer, restricting you and your children from using it for a long time. Studies show that the difference in temperature between these two grasses is 30 degree Celsius during hot summer days.

Natural Turf Is Cheaper And More Durable

As compared to natural grass, synthetic turf can be three times more expensive. This makes natural turf a more affordable and long-lasting option for your entire lifetime if well maintained. A shocking fact about synthetic grass is that it has to be replaced every 8 to 10 years.

Reviewing Different Buffalo Grasses for Your Buffalo Lawn

Buffalo grass is one of the most common and also the most popular grasses used in Australia. You will see buffalo lawn Sydney on a very frequent basis, as it is a warm-season grass that suits Australian weather conditions. This grass comes in different varieties, and the most common is the DNA-certified Sir Walter buffalo grass. In this post, we will outline some details of buffalo grass, how to identify it and the types available commonly in the markets.

Image Source: http://aviewturf.com.au/buffalo-grass/

WHAT IS A BUFFALO GRASS?

One of the most unique turf types available in Australia is buffalo grass, and it is also known as the only grass native to Australia. It is suitable for lawns and gardens due to qualities like superior drought and cold tolerance. Vendors say that as compared to other warm-season grasses, a buffalo lawn Sydney will have better cold tolerance.

HOW TO IDENTIFY BUFFALO GRASS?

Since it is available in different types, you will find buffalo grass varying in looks and feel a lot. Typically, most buffalo grasses have broad leaf blades that are always lush green in colour. They are low-growing grasses that are spread by stolons. Newer varieties, such as the one mentioned above, DNA Certified Sir Walter is soft to the touch and non-allergenic as well.

TYPES OF BUFFALO GRASS AVAILABLE FOR BUFFALO LAWNS SYDNEY

DNA-CERTIFIED SIR WALTER

This one is the most popular buffalo grass in Australia for various reasons. It is drought, shade and frost tolerant and has quick self-repair properties as well. It is also a very low-allergen grass that makes it ideal for residential properties, where kids love to play outdoors.

SAPPHIRE BUFFALO GRASS

Sir Walter buffalo grass performs incredibly well in high-traffic areas, but on the contrary, sapphire buffalo grass is a good choice for shade tolerance in low-traffic areas. It is not a very fast-growing grass and does not require frequent mowing.

PALMETTO BUFFALO GRASS

This is the closest competitor of DNA Certified Sir Walter grass, as it holds its colour during the winter season very impressively. It generates a minimal amount of thatch and is entirely resistant to different weather conditions.

MATILDA BUFFALO GRASS

Like palmetto buffalo grass, this variety is also known for maintaining its green winter colour in the full sun. This grass prefers sunlight and has the robustness to withstand high wear and tear.

Out of all these buffalo grass varieties, Sir Walter buffalo grass is ideal for your buffalo lawn Sydney, as it is native to Australia and well-suited for the summer heat and frosty winter season.

Types Of Buffalo Grass And Their Incredible Features

Due to its luscious looks, soft and green texture, and shade tolerance, buffalo grass has become a true stalwart of all turf grasses. It is a warm-season grass used in Australian homes throughout the year. It is available in different varieties, and let us explore the features of some of them.

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BUFFALO TURF FEATURES

• Attractive Dark Green Colour

• Winter Colour

• High Shade Tolerance

• High Drought Tolerance

• Low maintenance

• Excellent Wear Tolerance 

• Salt Tolerance

TYPES OF BUFFALO GRASS

Researching in the market will reveal that this turf is available in 3 different types, and the first is prestige buffalo grass.

PRESTIGE BUFFALO

This is a new-generation turf and can be tagged as the newest turf present in the markets. It is highly acclaimed for its consistent deep green colour, hard-wearing properties and reasonable recovery rate. It also has impressive drought tolerance, and 70% shade tolerance is its top USP. This turf grows in most parts of Australia, including Queensland, New South Wales and ACT, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia. The expenses are between 13 and 16 dollars per square metre.

SAPPHIRE BUFFALO

Sapphire buffalo is known for soft, fine leaves and is named soft-leaf buffalo turf. It was rated as the number one buffalo in terms of shade tolerance. It also recovers well from any wear and tear. It maintains its colours well in the winter season, and the leaf has an extra softness and adequate coating to protect it from frost. Just like the former one, this turf is also well suited for most parts of Australia. You should expect to pay between 10 and 15 dollars for growing soft-leaf buffalo turf per square metre.

PALMETTO BUFFALO TURF

The most popular variant of buffalo turf is palmetto buffalo turf. It is very low maintenance, less watering and has great hard-wearing turf for any setup. It can be used in homes with kids and pets and in commercial structures like lawns, stadiums, parks and so on. It is known for its dense growth, and this dense growth makes it entirely immune to weed invasion. This turf is also well suited for most parts of Australia and can be purchased easily from any vendor of turf supplies Sydney. Low-cost availability is another USP, and the cost of laying this turf per square metre is between 10 and 15 dollars.

Buffalo Grass – An Incredible Choice for Commercial and Residential Gardens and Lawns

For several decades now, buffalo grass has remained the most preferred grass for the people of Australia because of certain features. The top quality is that it can grow in dry areas, and even in the absence of top supplies Sydney, you will find this turf thriving well. In other words, even with little or no irrigation at all, this turf can generate magnificent lawns in a residential and commercial set-up. Several features are there that set this turf apart from all other types available in Australia.

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SEEDING BUFFALO GRASS

An adequately organized seed bed is what you will require if you want to see this grass successfully thriving. Some people rely on the 'scatter' technique, and if you do too, it is recommended that a thin layer of soil is placed on top of the seed. With a warm climate and minimal irrigation, you will find it growing well. Yes, one thing to note here is that the planting has to be done early enough before the cold season.

FERTILIZATION OF BUFFALO GRASS

Compared to couch grass and Kikuyu grass, buffalo grass will perform well in proper fertilization. It has to be ensured that too much fertilizer is not applied as it might damage the turf and hamper its steady growth. The right amount of fertilizer is essential, followed by the right kind to speed up the growth process. According to the vendors of turf supplies Sydney, proper and on-time application of fertilizer ensures the strengthening of the roots.

IRRIGATION AND MOWING

Once this turf is established fully, it will not require too much irrigation to thrive. In fact, it can perform well once irrigated each period. Deep irrigation is needed once every 2 to 4 weeks to improve the quality of the lawn and keep grass free from any weed invasion.

In contrast to other turfs, buffalo grass will offer you a lawn that stays green throughout the year, even when the lawn owner is careless about irrigation and mowing.

Watering Related Important Guidelines for Buffalo Grass

 Different kinds of grasses have different types of water-related requirements. In the buffalo variety of grasses, mostly turfs have similar water requirements, and the deep root system is what is required the most. Hence, turf suppliers recommend watering well after the turf is installed. There are some other recommendations made by these turf suppliers, and let us go through them in this post below.

HOW OFTEN SHOULD I WATER MY LAWN

Some elementary rules are there to follow regarding watering the buffalo lawn.

FOR AN ESTABLISHED LAWN

For a buffalo lawn Sydney that has been fully established, a meagre amount of water is required compared to what is required during the establishment process. Particularly, Sir Walter turf has the lowest water requirements of all turf and grasses.

DURING THE SUMMER SEASON

In the summer season, experts recommend watering buffalo grass 2-3 times per week very deeply for adequate watering. On the contrary, in the winter season, it will require one deep watering per week, depending on the weather conditions and temperature.

The buffalo lawn gets established in around 12 months, and once this happens, you can go for deep watering of 15 millimeters in the summer season. You can use a plastic container or a rain gauge to determine the amount of water given to the lawn.

NO WATERING IN THE EVENING

No matter what lawn or turf you have, it is recommended not to water it at all in the evening or at night. The lawn will remain wet throughout the night, and this will encourage fungus, mould and rotting issues. Experts advocate morning time as the best time to water as less water will evaporate and get lost. A deep irrigation system should be used during the water crisis situation.

Lastly, it is advised not to ignore any watering-related tips given by the turf supplier because this will affect the turf’s growth adversely. You have to ensure that watering is done methodically until the roots of the turf have been established completely.