Sir Walter Buffalo grass is one of the most popular lawn grasses in Australia. Since its introduction into the market in 1997, over 60 million meters of the grass has been sold to over 450,000 Aussie homes.
Apart from being hardy and versatile, it is preferred over other grass lawns for the following reasons:
Sir Walter Buffalo grass never needs to be replaced. Even after a tough drought, it has a self-repairing capability that allows it to bounce back even after substantial damage.
It requires less water than other popular varieties, and it looks good whether in full sun or shade.
Its shade tolerance makes it ideal for use in more places, thus making it one of the cheapest landscaping feature.
Unlike other popular options such as Kikuyu grass, Sir Walter buffalo grass is more resistant to pests.
Sir Walter buffalo has softer leaves which makes it ideal for children to play on.
Its low thatch growth capability implies lower lawn maintenance.
Establishing a good maintenance program for your Sir Walter buffalo lawn will protect your investment. This saves you money and time in the long run.
7 Easy lawn care tips for your Sir Walter buffalo lawn:
1. Mowing
After installation of a Sir Walter buffalo lawn, it is ready for mowing within 10-14 days. The initial mow should be a simple trim so as not to scalp the new lawn. Afterwards, ensure that you mow it regularly to regulate the extent of thatch development. The mowing height depends on your preference. For a spongy lawn, a mowing height of 50mm is ideal. If you prefer a less thatchy and tight lawn, a mowing height of 30mm is recommended.
2. Fertilising
While Sir Walter buffalo grass is easy to maintain, a lack of a fertilising regimen will cause your lawn to lose its health and colour. In areas with highly sandy soils, fertilising the lawn every two months according to the manufacturer’s recommended application rates will help maintain its lushness. In other places, fertilising it in late autumn will help maintain your lawn’s colour even in the winter. However, too much fertiliser could lead to too much maintenance such as frequent mowing and increased watering to dissolve the fertiliser effectively.
3. Watering
In most parts of Australia, watering your Sir Walter buffalo once every two weeks during the summer is good enough. Water it once a month in the autumn and spring, and never during the winter. Whereas infrequent heavy watering encourages the development of a deep root system, frequent light watering leads to the development of a shallow root system. Watering your Sir Walter buffalo lawn early in the morning rather than in the afternoon or evening reduces the chances of fungal disease infections.
4. Wetting Agents Application
Wetting agents application is a lawn care practice that all lawn owners should observe at least twice every year; once in the spring and once in the autumn. The purpose of wetting agents is to enhance the flow of water in the soil. This is particularly helpful in the Western Australia areas where the soil is coated with a waxy substance that inhibits the flow of water. The wetting agents break down the waxy coating thus allowing water to be absorbed more freely.
5. De-thatching
Sir Walter buffalo is more susceptible to thatch build-up than other lawn grasses such as zoysia and couch. De-thatch your lawn by mowing it short once or twice every year, either in late autumn or early spring. While scalping your lawn, be careful not to overdo this as it could kill it. Ascertain that there are runners still covering the ground. Fertilising your lawn after scalping is optional, but it will make your lawn regrow much faster.
6. Herbicides Application
Most lawn herbicides could severely damage or exterminate your Sir Walter buffalo lawn. Ensure that you read through the label before purchasing any herbicide to ascertain its safety. Use the recommended quantities as too much herbicide will not only kill the weeds but could also damage your lawn in the process.
7. Iron Supplement Application
Unfortunately, most lawn fertilisers lack iron which is quite beneficial to buffalo grass lawns. If your lawn appears a little pale even after watering it as recommended and mowing it to the recommended height, an iron supplement could restore its health. Applying iron supplements in late autumn allows your turf to soak it up before the winter sets in.
Sir Walter buffalo grass is soft textured and maintains its remarkable beauty throughout the year. It is ideal for people with allergies, kids, and pets. It is also heat, drought, salt, and frost tolerant. Anco Turf is Victoria’s leading supplier of quality Sir Walter turf. You can buy Sir Walter turf online in Melbourne from Anco Turf with no fuss. For more information, contact us today at 1800 010 110.
Do you know of any other helpful tip to care for a Sir Walter buffalo grass lawn? Share it with us.
