How to revive patchy Buffalo lawn?

Hello @LinL

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's a pleasure to have you join us, and thank you for sharing your question about your lawn.

It seems that over 70% of your lawn has died off. It would take some time if you were to attempt a recovery step. There's no guarantee that all of the turf would come back. I recommend re-turfing so that you can start fresh.

Parts of your lawn area have no turf at all and you'll have to seed those areas in order for the turf to grow back. If you were to rely on the natural growth of the turf it will take a while before the entire area is covered again.

Here are some handy step-by-step guides:

How to lay turf

How to care for buffalo lawn

Let me call on our experienced members @Adam_W and @Noelle for their recommendations.

If you have any other questions we can help with, please don't hesitate to post them.

Eric

LinL

My buffalo lawn is infested with two types of weeds. I’m not sure what they are. Is the thin tall one Wintergrass? What kind of weed killer would be suitable to kill these weeds? Should I use a weed and feed or a more specific kind of weed killer?

Thanks

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/19373#Comment_19373

Hello @LinL

Thanks for sharing your question about identifying the weeds in your buffalo lawn. I suggest using Yates 4L BuffaloPro Hose On Lawn Weed Kille. It's safe for buffalo and other common lawn types. This is a safer option if you’re unsure what lawn type you have. As for the weed with tall thin leaves, I suspect it might be onion weed.

If it is, I suggest manually trying to control it first. Cut it as low as possible to stop the plant from photosynthesizing, this will also have the effect of stopping the weed from creating more seeds and eventually dying.

Let me call on our experienced members @Noelle and @Adam_W for their recommendations on controlling the weeds in your garden.

Here is a handy step-by-step guide: How to weed your lawn.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

Noelle

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/72353#Comment_72353

Hi @LinL

A lawn weeder and feeder labelled specifically as being suitable for buffalo lawns will be appropriate to use on any lawn type for the control of broadleaf weeds. But this type of product will not control grassy weeds or onion weed. Eric has given you a guide for onion weed - cutting it off low to starve the underground bulbs is essential. Eventually it will die out with this technique but it will take diligence, patience and lots of mowing!

niccim

Hi there can anyone tell me what is happening with my sir Walter lawn. This started to happen about a month after the big floods we had here in Brisbane back in February. My lawn has always look magnificent I spend a lot of time and $$ on it. But this issue just got worse and worse it looked like it had mould and now no matter what I do it won’t come back. Admittedly it is winter right now but I thought I would see some improvement.

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/21101#Comment_21101

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @niccim. It's brilliant to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about Buffalo lawn maintenance.

If it weren't for that distinctive striped effect, I'd say it could have something to do with the excess water or some fungal infection. However, I will have an educated guess and say this looks like a lawn mowed far too low and has been scalped, exposing the runners. The width of those strips seems incredibly close to that of a lawnmower. You can see on the perimeter and around the pole where the mower deck couldn't get close. I'm not sure why you have the striped effect; perhaps the wheels rode over that area with the passes, so they didn't get cropped as severely.

Did you happen to give this lawn a really short mow some time around when that rain was? Whatever the reason, I can't go past the fact that these strips are somehow related to the issue you're experiencing.

Let me call in one of our experts, @Adam_W, to see if he has any thoughts.

Mitchell

niccim

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/21101#Comment_21101

Hi Mitchell thanks for your response..it was like this before I mowed short, I mowed it shorter than I normally do especially in winter to try and dry it out over the past 2 mows. But it looked like this before hand. All of that dead area was wet and had like a mould. I have treated it for that but it is not coming

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/21101#Comment_21101

Interesting @niccim. Any ideas on what's caused the stripe effect? Something has caused the stripes to remain healthy and in between to be affected. A mower would be my first guess, but if we can work out how that has happened, I'm reasonably sure it will reveal the answer to your problem. What's going on under the soil? Do you have irrigation run across this area that alines with this striped damage? Does the soil undulate and the dead sections are lower than the rest and therefore sit in water trapped in the area?

Buffalo goes relatively dormant over Winter, so any re-growth or repair will take some time, typically occurring once it starts warming up.

Mitchell

niccim

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/21101#Comment_21101

The stripes would be from my mower I have a commercial grade Honda wide deck and it is heavy and on all my grass it has the stripes which look good if the lawn is not buggered lol..no everything is level and that grass has been down now for 18yrs and no irrigation in that area. until the floods I had no problem same mower same level of grass has always been plush and green and super healthy I use fertiliser 4 times a year the original sir Walter fertiliser and it also gets sea soil lawn a couple times a year. This all happened after the floods. I guess it is some sort of fungus from whatever got washed through in the floods. I will let it go back to being a bit longer again to protect it and wait till spring and if still not good I will take out and replace with new grass
Thanks for your time

Hi Team,

I have put sir Walter Buffalo turf 2 months back and It has started to show some patches in some areas and does not look as healthy and dense as it should be. Not sure if its normal and if I have to wait little bit longer ?

I have put some fertilisers as advised after 8 weeks from installing it.

I have attached some photos and wondering if any of you experts could guide me if I have to treat it and with what product to bring back that dense look of sir Walter buffalo turf.

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/25159#Comment_25159

Hello @Daydreamer11

Thanks for sharing your question about your buffalo turf. There might be a few reasons why your turf is starting to show some patches, but I suspect that the number one culprit is the weather. At the moment we are still in the midst of summer and if you are experiencing intense heat your turf might be trying to hibernate. Overcompensating for this event is not good either as overwatering traps the water in the soil and thereby suffocates the roots of the lawn.

I suggest staying with your current watering schedule and allowing the turf to overgrow. On your next mowing schedule, I propose trimming only the top to get a uniform finish. If your mower has a mulching function I suggest activating it. Keep the turf to a nice healthy 75mm in height so that the turf has enough surface to cover the ground. The cuttings that drop in the turf itself act like mulch and delays evaporation and keeps the ground cool.

Let me call on our experienced members @Adam_W and @homeinmelbourne for their recommendations.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/75249#Comment_75249

Thanks Eric. My Ryobi lawn mower does not have a mulcher and I’m happy for you to guide me if I can buy an attachment for it. ?

Happy to get some feedback from other experienced team members too as you have mentioned above.

Thanks PK

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/101368#Comment_101368

Hi @Daydreamer11

What is the model number of your Ryobi mower? I can find out for you if it has a mulching function.

Eric

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/117627#Comment_117627

Hi Eric,

Model is :

Ryobi One+ 18V Brushless Cordless Scarifier

Thanks.

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/127084#Comment_127084

Hi @Daydreamer11,

Do you have a lawnmower as well as the scarifier? A scarifier is a fairly specific tool used to detach an older lawn and remove the buildup of dead material. It's typically not used to mow a lawn and keep height in check. However, in saying that, if that's what you are using, it appears to be doing a decent job. Dethatching is generally fairly stressful on a lawn. It's fine to do it every few years, but it might damage the grass if done regularly. If you continue to use it, I'd suggest raising the height as your grass is very low to the ground at the moment, and I suspect that's why it looks patchy.

I'd recommend you consider picking up a cordless mower as using one will be more effective at mowing the lawn and less damaging as well.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/133332#Comment_133332

Thanks Mitch.

Samnet

Hi all,

Moved to a house from an apartment in March with no experience with grass😅😅😅

The lawn (buffalo ) doesn't look good (photos attached) and actually have no idea how to revive it. Stems are out of the soil.

Any help would be appreciated

Thanks

Sam

Leslee

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/30363#Comment_30363

Hi @Samnet

I am only a beginner but have just been reading this project https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/t5/Featured-Projects/Lawn-renovation/ta-p/169264. It explains the process of renovating lawns from scratch. I hope it helps.

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/30363#Comment_30363

Hi @Samnet

It looks like your lawn is ready for spring revival. I suggest having a look at this featured project - Lawn renovation by @homeinmelbourne. You'll find that there are some excellent steps you can apply to your lawn's maintenance. One of the most basic things you can start with is to manually remove the weeds in your lawn. It's then followed up with aeration, an application of lawn fertilizer and top dressing.

Here are some handy step-by-step guides:

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/77645#Comment_77645

Hello @Leslee

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's splendid to have you join us.

You just beat me to the recommendation I was going to suggest to @Samnet!

We're keen to hear more about all your projects and plans around the house and garden. Please feel free to reach out whenever you need assistance or would like to share a project with the community.

Eric

Samnet

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/77645#Comment_77645

Thanks @Leslee @EricL

Forgot to mention my lawn is buffalo.

Not sure this method works or not for me

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/102870#Comment_102870

Hi @Samnet

Thanks for that extra bit of information. If you have Buffalo lawn, I suggest having a look at this guide instead - How To Care For Your Buffalo Lawn. Please do not use a scarifying machine on Buffalo lawn. However, the general steps of removing weed, aeration and fertilization still apply.

If you need further assistance, please let me know.

Eric

MikaRJ

We've just moved into this property and the lawn situation was worse than what it is now. Not sure what turf it is, I'm guessing buffalo. Grass has started to sprout within the dry patchy areas but what can I do to speed up the process of making it lush green?

I've made a list of products that members here have suggested to fix a lawn. aerator sandals, seasol spray, lawed, fertilizer, scarifier,etc. But do I need all of this? Not the entire lawn is dry, many areas are lush green so I'm hoping to just fix the patches. Have been hand watering on the days retic doesn't go on. I also read that testing pH level of the soil could be beneficial.

May I please know what's the best practice for fixing this lawn and taking care of lawn in summer?

Many thanks

Mika

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/31622#Comment_31622

HI @MikaRJ,

To address those patchy areas, identify the root causes, whether compacted soil, pests, or other factors. It could just be that the lawn hasn't been watered sufficiently. Aeration can do wonders with spiked sandals or a machine by improving water and nutrient absorption.

When watering, focus on deep, infrequent sessions, especially during dry spells. Give the lawn a long water three times a week instead of daily short waterings.

Fertilisers provide essential nutrients, but be cautious not to overdo it. At this time, I'd suggest Seasol or seaweed-based sprays which will contribute to overall plant health, offering nutrients and trace elements.

For those troublesome patches, opt for spot treatments like reseeding or overseeding. The new seed won't match you're Buffalo, but it will infill quickly. If the Buffalo is still alive in those areas, it will return with suitable care. Alternatively, you can relay turf.

Here are some helpful guides: How to detect lawn problems, How to repair a lawn and How to take care of your lawn.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

MikaRJ

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/78263#Comment_78263

Thanks for the suggestions Mitchell! Going to give this a try, fingers crossed. Pray for my lawn 😆

Mika

Rizzoaus

Hi all,

As you can see we are having some issues with our Sir Walter Buffalo which we had put in approx 2 years ago.

I must admit - my lawn care is terrible - so finally had enough of how it's looking and decided to do something about it.

The grass is currently quite patchy with some clear dry/brown spots all through the area.

I'm really keen to bring this back to life - just after some suggestions on what's required or what products can help.

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/31687#Comment_31687

Hello @Rizzoaus

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's marvellous to have you join us, and thanks for sharing your question about restoring your lawn.

It looks like a little bit of TLC is in order to get your lawn looking good again. I suggest aerating the soil with an aerating tool of your choice. My favourite is the Saxon Lawn Aerator Sandals as your body weight provides the pushing action into the ground. Once aerated, I suggest using Yates 5kg Dynamic Lifter Lawn Food.

It's an organic fertiliser that provides a gentle feed suitable for all lawn types. It contains composted chicken manure, blood & bone, fish meal and seaweed, for a lush and healthy lawn. It provides long lasting nutrients for sustained healthy lawn and encourages earthworms and beneficial soil micro-organisms to promote healthy soil.

I also suggest checking out these helpful guides: How to detect lawn problems and How to repair a lawn. Also, have a look at our Best Advice article on What are your tips for keeping your lawn healthy?

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric

Rizzoaus

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/78294#Comment_78294

Thanks so muck @EricL! I will do just that.

Do you have any other products you'd recommend for Sir Walter buffalo? Is there a particular weed & feed or weed killer best for Sir Walter?

Thanks!