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How can buffalo lawn be dethatched without harming the runners?

Hi Community,

I have a buffalo lawn that’s just looking OK but it's becoming patchy and brown in some places with the grass dying off in others. It is spongy in places where the grass is looking good but as mentioned other areas are browning \ dying. This hasn't been an issue in previous years.

I thought that maybe I’ll try dethatching it for the very first time - the grass was laid some 10 years ago and has never been dethatched.

I’m wondering if dethatching is suitable for grass types like Buffalo? Surely the tines of the rake will just rip through the runners? What would be the best way to go about this process?

Thanks in advance for your advice.

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Jewelleryrescue

Hi @shmo

Hiring a dethatching machine would be the best quickest bet as it is designed to take the back breaking work out of it.

I hired a lawn coring machine machine once and while i had it I knocked on all my neighbours places and offered to do there yards to for $40 each this brought my hire cost down for every one i actually did 8 places and was in the position of giving extra $10 back to each place I did as i wasnt after profit,

MitchellMc

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @shmo. It's great to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about dethatching Buffalo.

You might like to check out this previous discussion: How can Buffalo lawn be dethatched without harming the runners?

Thatch is a layer of dead organic matter, roots, and stems that accumulates within your lawn, often making it appear uneven and spongy. Dethatching, which removes this layer, is crucial for allowing air, water, and nutrients to penetrate the soil, preventing waterlogging and fungal issues. For buffalo lawns, which typically require yearly dethatching, using a specialised dethatching machine or carefully lowering the mower height can effectively remove thatch without harming the above-ground runners. Alternatively, a dethatching rake can be used for less severe buildup, while specialised machinery like scarifiers are ideal for thicker thatch layers or larger areas. After dethatching, proper cleanup and fertilisation are essential for lawn recovery.

Typically, the runner will be hard against the soil, and the majority of the thatch is above them, so it's important not to scarify so deep that you severe all the runners. Just to be clear, though, dethatching a Buffalo lawn that hasn't been done for ten years will leave it looking very sore and sorry for a few months until it recovers. Check out @homeinmelbourne's amazing Lawn renovation.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

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