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Hi guys,
Just moved into new place first time lawn owner. Have some questions:
1. Could someone help identify what type of grass I have?
2. Also in the second photo attached, is this a weed that is growing (thr longer stems with purple tips)? This is only found in the front lawn, the neighbours front lawn seems to have these growing as well none in my backyard lawn though.
3. What's the best thing I can do to try create a "fuller" look to my lawn as some areas looking bare?
Appreciate any advice and help!
Thanks in advance!
Jimmy
1. Backyard lawn
2. Front lawn weeds?
3. Backyard lawn
Hi everyone,
I had a buffalo lawn that got absolutely trashed by a combination of plumbers digging it up and a flood. I’ve been gradually improving the soil over the last few months to improve the drainage, and I’m almost at the point of putting new buffalo down.
I still have a few little patches that haven’t died, should I leave them since the new lawn will be buffalo too?
I also have this finer-looking grass coming through - is it Kikuyu? Should I rip it out before putting the new lawn down?
Alternatively, do I just add a thick layer of turf underlay over the top of what’s there and not worry about pulling it out?
Thanks!
Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @sashay. It's to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about lawn care.
If it’s only a few little patches left, I’d be inclined to remove them. When you’re laying buffalo turf, you’ll be working with full rolls, and it’s not really feasible to try to work around small remaining sections. If there are larger patches, you could potentially leave them to cut costs, but if it’s only a few small ones, I’d dig them out and just relay the whole lawn for a more consistent result.
I’d definitely recommend removing the Kikuyu. You’ll want to kill that off completely, as it will otherwise grow through your new buffalo lawn. In your first photo, you can actually see that the Kikuyu isn’t just in the bare patch, it’s also woven through the buffalo grass above it, with the finer blades mixed in.
At this stage, your best option would be to remove all the existing grass and start fresh. I’d suggest using a non-selective herbicide to spray everything, including the Kikuyu. Remember to wear the required PPE when mixing and applying the product. Once the grass has died off, remove any remaining by hand and prepare your soil before laying the new buffalo turf. You could try hand weeding, but Kikuyu tends to leave roots and runners behind, so a complete kill before re-turfing will give you the best long-term result.
Here's a helpful guide: How to lay turf.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Mitchell
Thanks @MitchellMc !
I don't even know how the Kikuyu got there, because the previous lawn was only laid less than 2 years ago and they excavated the area before putting the Buffalo down.
Would Kikuyu harm the Buffalo if it grows through it? Would I be better off making the new lawn Kikuyu instead, if it's already there?
Thanks again 
It’s not uncommon for Kikuyu to appear even if it wasn’t in the area before @sashay. The roots or seeds can be carried in on equipment, footwear, soil, or even via wind. Once it’s established, it can be very persistent.
Kikuyu will grow through a Buffalo lawn, and over time it can compete for nutrients, water, and space, potentially affecting the overall look and health of your Buffalo grass.
You do have the option of going for a Kikuyu lawn if you prefer, but it really depends on whether you want Buffalo or not. If you want to stick with Buffalo, the best approach is to remove or kill off the Kikuyu first. Using a non-selective herbicide now should effectively eradicate it, giving you a clean slate to lay your new Buffalo turf.
You'll find that if the Buffalo lawn is healthy, it typically won't allow any Kikuyu to take hold. It's when the Buffalo is struggling that Kikuyu takes advantage.
Mitchell
Hi there,
I recently seeded my lawn with 'Munns Professional 1.1kg Couch Lawn Seed Blend - 1.1KG'. The seeds have germinated beautifully but it has left me wondering if this is couch grass (marked in Blue box). It looks nothing like the mature couch grass (marked in Red box). I am new to gardening so I needed to confirm. The seed package does say that it also has Perennial Rye grass mix in it. Could this be Rye grass?
Hello @sunnyg
You have a very good eye; your observation is absolutely on point. The area you’ve marked in blue in the first photo, which looks softer and more upright with fine blades, is not couch grass. That is Perennial Ryegrass, which is part of the germination mix included in the Munns Professional Couch Lawn Seed Blend.
Perennial Ryegrass is used in these blends because it germinates rapidly, often within 5 to 10 days, creating a temporary cover that protects and shades the slower-germinating couch grass seedlings underneath. Couch grass, by contrast, takes significantly longer usually 2 to 3 weeks or even longer depending on soil temperature to sprout and establish.
In your second and third photos, you can see this difference in growth stages very clearly. The thinner, softer, and more vivid green shoots dominating your lawn now are Ryegrass. The mature couch grass (like in your red-marked section) has a slightly thicker, coarser texture with a deeper green and a more creeping growth habit as it spreads via stolons and rhizomes.
Over the coming weeks, as temperatures remain warm and the couch grass strengthens, the couch will begin to dominate. Ryegrass tends to fade out during the hotter months, leaving the couch as the main turf. Regular mowing (keeping it around 20–25 mm) and good sunlight will encourage this transition naturally.
The young grass you see now is mostly Perennial Ryegrass from the blend, acting as a nurse grass, while your couch is still developing underneath and will take over as it matures.
If you need further assistance, please let us know.
Eric
