A Quick Glance on the Versatile Features of Buffalo Grass

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

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

Image source: https://aviewturf.com.au/kikuyu-grass/

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. 

Why Choose Natural Grass Over Synthetic Grass?

Image source: https://aviewturf.com.au/palmetto-buffalo-grass/

 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.

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.

Buffalo Grass Types Available For Sydney Buffalo Lawns

There was a time when buffalo grass was considered scratchy and coarse, but this is not the case at present. Now modern varieties have emerged, and because of their soft appearance and touch, the term "soft" is now added to them. 

To keep it looking lush, green, soft and rich, you will have to grow it carefully and maintain it as per the specifications recommended by the suppliers for Sydney buffalo lawns. 

There are different kinds of buffalo grasses to use, and let us quickly go through the features of some of them.

MATILDA BUFFALO -

Matilda buffalo lawn Sydney is a good choice for people who are environmentally conscious because it is tolerant of drought and needs minimal watering even in the harsh summer season. 

PALMETTO SOFT LEAF BUFFALO -

If you have a more prominent family with most kids who love to play on the lawn, this grass is ideal for your property. Sydney buffalo lawns, where palmetto soft leaf buffalo is installed, would be fully resilient to heavy foot traffic, and it is gentle underfoot for children and pets to play freely.

PRESTIGE BUFFALO -

This is one of the darkest lawn varieties available in Australia, and you will find prestige buffalo maintaining its lovely, deep green colour all year round and your buffalo lawn Sydney.

SAPPHIRE SOFT LEAF BUFFALO --

Just like palmetto soft leaf buffalo turf, this turf is also known for it’s soft underfoot feel. This means that it is also great for Sydney buffalo lawns, where you would love to relax and allow your kids to engage in their favourite games.

CARING AND NURTURING FOR YOUR BUFFALO GRASS -

One thing you need to understand very clearly is that buffalo grass is native to the warmer parts of the world. This means that it will be highly resilient to dry conditions and experts recommend watering only when it looks dry. 

They further add that even brown or wilted grass will usually recover on its own, and if you feel like watering, it’s advisable to water it early in the morning to make grass roots absorb as much water as possible before the sun starts drawing it. 

People may know also : Kikuyu Or Buffalo Grass – What Is Ideal for You?

Watering, Mowing and Fertilizer Application Related Tips for Buffalo Lawn

Water conservation is a major concern in Australia and this is why people look for a turf that can thrive well in low water usage as well. 

Buffalo turf is the right choice as it does not require too much water and moreover, Sydney buffalo lawns are also very low maintenance lawns to have in front of residential properties. 

Some essential maintenance and care-related tips for buffalo lawn are described here in this post.

DO NOT OVERWATER -

Even if there is adequate water supply in your area, it is never advocated to overwater your buffalo lawn Sydney. Remember, over-watering will promote weed growth and this will damage the grass really fast. 

Watering is recommended only to maintain growth and prevent dormancy in Sydney buffalo lawns. Moreover, based on the season and weather conditions, you can fluctuate your watering schedule.

MOW INFREQUENTLY -

If you hate the hard work of loan moving, than buffalo grass is a perfect choice for you. The reason is that this turf requires moving only once in a month. Some suppliers recommend that you can leave buffalo grass unmowed for a long time and give one annual cutting in the spring season to remove old growth.

CHOOSE THE RIGHT FERTILIZER -

To maintain the greenery of Sydney buffalo turf, you must give it nutrients in the form of fertilizer. This will make it fight against weeds vigorously and the right fertilizer would be an ideal mixture of nitrogen-to-phosphorus-to-potassium (n-p-k) ratio of 3-1-2 or 4-1-2. Chemical-based weed control solution is also recommended to keep Sydney buffalo lawns free from any weed attack. 

As far as weed control chemical is concerned, you should research well and rely only upon those having a label mentioning safe for buffalo grass. Alternatively, you can also rely upon high-quality turf suppliers for the overall maintenance of your lawn. 

They will perform everything for you, right from landscape installation to lawn maintenance and tree care.

People may know also : Lawn Care Tips to Follow in the Spring Season

Why Sir Walter Is More There In Sydney Buffalo Lawns?

The most versatile category of turfs or grasses is the buffalo grass category and each kind of turf falling in this category is very popular. The reason is that all of them are highly durable and one name that we cover today is Walter buffalo turf. 

You will find this variant a lot in Sydney buffalo lawns because of some amazing characteristics and features that this turf has got. 

Here is a write-up, where we have discussed the top benefits of this turf followed by some other details that a homeowner might need before getting it installed.

It is preferred over other grass lawns for the following reasons:

• This turf never needs to be replaced and this means that even after the drought, this grass will survive due to quick self-recovery properties.

• It requires less water than other popular varieties

• It looks good whether in full sun or shade

• Its shade tolerance makes it ideal for use in more places

• Sir Walter buffalo grass is more resistant to pests and this is another reason why buffalo lawn Sydney is more visible than others

• Sydney buffalo lawns that have this turf are better and more ideal for kids to play

• Its low thatch growth capability implies lower lawn maintenance

GUIDELINES ON ITS MAINTENANCE -

All kinds of turfs will require maintenance, look after care, etc. and in terms of Sir Walter turf, here are the steps to take.

REGARDING MOWING -

Once the turf is laid, you will find that it has achieved mowing height within just two weeks. This would be the first mowing that should be simple trimming and not something like total scalping of your buffalo lawn Sydney. 

The mowing height mainly depends upon your choice and if you want a spongy lawn, keep mowing height to 50 mm. In case, your choice is a less thatch and tight lawn, you can mow up to the height of 30m.

Interesting Features of Buffalo Turf for Sydney Buffalo Lawns

One of the best decisions that you can take in terms of enhancing your landscape’s looks as well the resale value of property is getting buffalo turf installed. 

Highly maintained Sydney buffalo lawns will add positivity to your life and freshness that you were looking for in your property. With this particular turf, you get to enjoy high quality cover and yes, long term durability as well. 

There are some other things too worth-knowing regarding this turf and we have discussed them here in this write-up.

THE MATILDA BUFFALO TURF -

Just in case, if this is the first time that you are getting this turf installed, you need to know that is an Australian-breed turf that is designed or created while keeping Australian conditions in mind. This means that this turf has the power to resist and withstand against the harshest or weather or climate conditions. 

This turf is extremely safe to touch, but at the same time, highly resistant to any wear and tear. Upon observing closely, you will find this grass having blades that are smooth from both sides and this particular appearance makes it an ideal domestic grass for residential buffalo lawn Sydney.

RICH COLOUR -

While in Sydney buffalo lawns, you will experience it having really outstanding colour both in winter as well as summer season. This turf has a rush hue that stays evergreen and something that will calm your eyes throughout the year.

DROUGHT TOLERANCE -

In terms of drought-tolerance, no other type of turf has ever managed to even compete with this one because of the amazing drought-tolerance property that this turf has. This turf has amazing properties related to handling Australia’s harsh and fluctuating climate. The fact is that irrespective of winter frosts or the summer heat, the Matilda buffalo turf is sure to look as stunning as ever.

People may know also : Maintenance Rules to Follow Regarding Sydney Buffalo Lawns

Guidelines of Sydney Buffalo Lawns Watering

The weather conditions in Australia always remain on the drier side and this is the biggest reasons why only turfs with drought tolerance feature grow here beautifully. 

In this regard, the top name is of buffalo turf that generates beautiful, lush green Sydney buffalo lawns with timely care, maintenance and following watering and mowing related tips. 

Here is a blog post that discusses top tips related to watering the lawn that has this turf present. 

BUFFALO LAWN SYDNEY WATERING TIPS -

Keeping the lawn inside your property in a perfect condition is easy provided that all the watering related tips are followed. The good thing about this turf is that as compared to others, this one is more water-efficient turf. So now the question is when to water this turf and how to water it.

WHEN DOES MY BUFFALO GRASS LAWN SYDNEY NEED WATERING?

So many factors come into play at the time of determining the right amount of water to put in the lawn and the right time of watering as well. Factors like seasons, temperature, rainfall, wind, soil condition and whether your land is flat or slope, etc. are very crucial as far as the above-said decisions are concerned. 

As far as Sydney buffalo lawns are concerned, they need deep and infrequent watering because turf suppliers say that this way it develops a deep root system. This deep root system is nothing less of a boon because in draught type situations, this system helps the turf by extracting water deep from under the soil.

HOW OFTEN SHOULD I WATER MY BUFFALO GRASS LAWN?

As far as the right time for watering is concerned, experts say that watering once in a week, but sufficient amount is what you need to make this turf grow to its topmost potential. In the rainy season, turf suppliers say that you can skip a week or two if there is regular rain in the region. 

People may know also : Why Palmetto Buffalo Turf Is Preferred Over All Other Turfs

Maintenance Rules to Follow Regarding Sydney Buffalo Lawns

A beautiful, well-maintained lawn is only an asset for the property because of so many reasons like it improves the looks of the area followed by the fact that it has a dramatic impact on the property’s resale value as well. 

However, for this the first and the main stipulation is that it has to be well maintained and the care, look after, etc. becomes even more important in case of Sydney buffalo lawns. 

The best part about this turf is that it is fairly easy to maintain provided that some rules are followed that we have compiled here in this write up.

MOWING -

The first mowing is always a nervous situation because the life and future of this growth depend a lot on this. Therefore, experts say that after the plantation, the first mowing of your buffalo lawn Sydney should be done after 2 weeks. 

Trimming the lawn is the ideal step and do not ever think about scalping it immediately in the first mowing after laying. Make sure you carry out regular edging on your lawn to progressively improve the overall appearance of your lawn and property.

FERTILIZING -

Fertiliser application is a very useful way to keep the buffalo lawn Sydney in a perfect, healthy state for a long time, but there are some rules regarding this too. Timely and adequate fertiliser application ensures that the health of the turf stays good and it maintains its colour really well. 

In this regards, experts recommend fertilising once in every two months and experts recommend that autumn is the best season to do so. Remember that excess fertilizing as this may lead to increased irrigation and more frequent mowing to dissolve the excess fertilizer.

WATERING -

No matter what turf you have, experts always recommend watering the lawn early in the morning so that the turf has enough time to absorb the water and nourish the roots. 

It has been seen that watering during the night time generates so many issues and lawn diseases such as Pythium blight, Large patch, Summer patch, Brown patch, Pink snow mould and many more.

People may know also : Types of Buffalo Turf Used In Sydney Buffalo Lawns

Two Top Versions Found at Sydney Buffalo Lawns

Buffalo turf was not that much popular in Australia till round a decade back, but things have changed entirely. Owners of turf farms across the nation have grown this turf aggressively and made people realise that this is the best turf for them. 

People too have accepted this and acknowledge buffalo as the best in its class. 

This is the reason why at Sydney buffalo lawns, you will find a whole variety of buffalo turfs and out of all of them, we have covered some here in this blog post. 

KING’S PRIDE -

This very common turf found in every buffalo lawn Sydney is known for the fantastic colour that it gets in the winter season. In other words, this grass will stand out of the entire winter frost for the most part of the time. Experts add to this and say that this turf stays in its best condition under the shaded area because it has excellent shade tolerant properties. 

There would be nothing to worry about in terms of frequent watering to because this turf is drought tolerant too. The quick-self-repair property ensures that whatever damages are faced by this turf are recovered quite easily on their own. 

PALMETTO -

Palmetto buffalo found in Sydney buffalo lawns is unarguably the best turf being used in Australia are present. Very much like the one discussed above, this grass is also drought tolerant and also, this grass is highly resistant to warm/dry conditions. The colour is somewhat lighter to the one discussed above, but at the same time, this is also a fact that this grass type has the lowest thatch growth level. 

As compared to other buffalo turfs available at Sydney buffalo lawns, it has a slower growth rate and also, the maintenance relaxed requirements are not that high. A sad fact regarding this grass type is that this type of turf does not perform great in areas with heavy traffic because of its naturally slow growth rate. You can also grow this grass whether in partial shade or full sun.

People may know also :  Two Top Types of Turfs in Australia and Their Best Features

Some Basic Information on Buffalo Grass Maintenance and Care

We all have lawns outside our homes, but the main difference is of the turf used there. Those who use buffalo grass or turf enjoy more benefits of the lawn as compared to those having any other turf installed. 

As compared to others, this turf is much more versatile and this is why your buffalo lawn Sydney too would be more delightful, appealing, greener and well-maintained than others.

BUFFALO GRASS DESCRIPTION-

The first thing you will immediately notice about this grass is its height because of the fact that it’s a low growing grass with the maximum height of 25-30 cms. 

Since it’s a warm season grass, very rarely, you will see it reaching the height of 25 or 30 cms.

Buffalo grass is known for its stoloniferous growth habit and because of this, there are curly leaves and even pistillate and stagnate kinds of flowers. 

It has managed really well to adapt to Australian conditions, climate and environment to become one of the most loved grasses of Australia.

SOME BASIC INFORMATION ON BUFFALO GRASS MAINTENANCE AND CARE-

FERTILISER-

To keep it looking lush green, rich and healthy, the user will require a carefully designed fertiliser application plan. 

In this regards, experts recommend fertilising buffalo lawn Sydney every couple of months using the fertiliser as recommended by the lawn supplier.

The fact is that any fertiliser with very high nitrogen content would work really well for buffalo grass as well as other kinds of turfs as well.

Lawn Mowing-

Not too much of mowing is required since is not that aggressive in terms of growth, but for preventing thatching and scalping, this step becomes crucial for this grass.

In summer and spring season, mowing once in a week is enough.

People may know :Things to Keep In Mind While Buying a Fertiliser for Matilda Turf

WATERING-

Lawn suppliers recommend buffalo grass watering only in the morning time to make sure that it enough water to survive well during the hotter part of the day.