How to deal with this creeper?
Hello @shaker
Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us, and thanks for sharing your question about your buffalo lawn.
Buffalo lawns are a favourite in many Australian gardens because they’re soft underfoot, hardy, and beautifully green through much of the year. One of the reasons buffalo grass stays so lush and thick is because it spreads using “runners” or “stolons” long creeping stems that move across the soil surface and create new growth as they go. In the right place, this is actually a great feature because it helps the lawn repair itself naturally and fill in bare patches quickly.
From your photo, it looks like the buffalo runners are doing exactly what healthy buffalo does, exploring beyond the lawn edge and moving into the garden bed. The good news is this is very manageable and quite common. With a little maintenance and a defined barrier, you can keep the lawn looking tidy while still enjoying the thick, healthy growth buffalo is known for.
Garden edging is one of the best long-term solutions for controlling buffalo creepers. A proper edging barrier creates a clean separation between lawn and garden beds, helping stop runners from travelling underneath or across into mulch areas. Metal or deeper-profile edging tends to work especially well because it creates a firmer physical barrier.
A few current Bunnings options that would suit this nicely include:
Gravel or pebble dividers can also work very well, especially when paired with edging underneath. A decorative pebble strip creates a visual break between the lawn and garden bed, and buffalo runners are easier to spot and trim before they spread too far. On their own, pebbles won’t completely stop buffalo from creeping forward, because runners can still travel across the surface over time. But when combined with solid edging, they become a really effective and attractive low-maintenance solution.
The easiest ongoing maintenance tip is simply to trim back any runners every couple of weeks with edging shears or a whipper snipper. Buffalo responds very well to regular shaping, and keeping the edge crisp actually encourages a healthier, denser lawn overall. With a defined border in place, you’ll find the lawn becomes much easier to manage while still keeping that lush, welcoming look buffalo lawns are loved for.
If you have any specific questions you would like to ask, please let us know.
Eric
Thank you for the information.
