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How to treat patchy Buffalo lawn?

Good morning and happy Boxing Day.

I have a problem with my buffalo grass in my backyard. There are patches in sections. New buffalo grass is trying to grow into these sections. Area get good sun and is well drained. Is it a grub of some kind? I enclose a picture. Can you recommend a remedy?

On another note i want to put in some citrus trees in front of house. I want a lime, lemon, mandarin and orange. Can you recommend for Chelmer area please? Also, ideally when should I plant out. Ok, that is it for now. Thank you. Stephen

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Comments

JacobZ

Hi @StephenBrookes,

These patches certainly look like they could be caused by lawn grubs, and there is a simple test you can use to confirm this. Mix one to two tablespoons of household dishwashing liquid into about 9 to 10 litres of water and slowly pour it over a patchy area of lawn about one square metre in size. Wait a few minutes and watch closely. If lawn grubs are present, they will wriggle up to the surface to escape the soapy water. This happens because the soap irritates them and forces them to come up for air.

If you find there are lawn grubs present, you can use a product such as this Richgro Hose On Lawn Beetle and Grub Killa to treat them.

If you find that no lawn grubs appear, then you may need to look at other possibilities. Patchy buffalo lawns are commonly caused by things like watering problems, soil compaction, nutrient deficiencies, fungal disease, physical wear or excess thatch. If you carry out the soapy water test and find no grubs, please let me know so we can explore further.

For the Chelmer and greater Brisbane climate, the citrus that perform best are those that enjoy warm sunny conditions and low frost risk. Tahitian lime is an excellent choice and is very productive in subtropical areas, while Eureka lemon is reliable and widely grown locally. For mandarins, Imperial and Emperor both perform well and produce sweet fruit, and for oranges Washington Navel and Valencia are well suited, with Valencia being especially good in warmer climates. All of these varieties thrive in full sun with well-drained soil and regular feeding, making them strong and dependable choices for Brisbane gardens.

Let me know what you think and if you have further questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

Jacob

StephenBrookes

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/60915#Comment_60915

Thanks Jacob,

I will do the liquid test now ... stay tuned!

Can I purchase the citrus varieties you mentioned at Bunnings? When is a good time to plant out?

Cheers,

Stephen

StephenBrookes

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/60915#Comment_60915

Hi Jacob. No, just small worms ....lots of them. I will aerate te area with pitchfork. What else should I do? Cheers. Stephen

JacobZ

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/92924#Comment_92924

Hi @StephenBrookes,

Yes, you should be able to buy these varieties of citrus; however, suppliers are regional, so I can't link you directly to a product listing. Your best bet would be to head in store and have a look around in the nursery. If these options aren't available in store, have a chat with the team in the nursery; they should be able to contact their suppliers and let you know what is available.

In most parts of Australia, the best time to plant citrus trees is late winter to early spring. At this time, the soil is starting to warm up, frosts are easing, and the tree can put energy into establishing roots before the heat of summer arrives. This timing gives young citrus the best chance to settle in and grow strongly through spring and summer.

Planting outside this window is still possible, but it requires more care. Autumn planting can work well in warm, frost-free areas, as the soil is still warm and roots can establish before winter, but young trees will need protection if unexpected cold snaps occur. Summer planting is not ideal, especially during hot or dry conditions, as heat stress and water loss can slow establishment and damage new growth unless watering and mulching are very well managed. Winter planting in cold or frost-prone areas is best avoided, as cold, wet soil and frost can set young citrus back significantly.

If the issue isn't due to lawn grubs, which sounds likely considering the test, then I'd say it is probably a combination of compaction and drainage issues. Aerating with a pitchfork is a good starting point, as it will allow air to get to the roots and create channels for water to drain through.

You could also use a thatching rake to remove any dead grass from the patches, which will open up space for the existing grass to grow sideways.

An application of lawn fertiliser would also help the existing grass grow laterally to fill in the gaps.

Let me know if you have any further questions.

Jacob

StephenBrookes

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/112632#Comment_112632

Thank you very much.

Stephen

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