Hi @tvow3021,
Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community, it is wonderful to have you with us.
Sir Walter Buffalo is a great lawn choice for Brisbane because it’s hardy, shade-tolerant tolerant and well-suited to the subtropical climate.
Fertilising is most important during the warmer months when the grass is actively growing. A good approach is to feed it in early spring as it comes out of winter, again in late spring or early summer to boost growth, and once more in late autumn so it has enough nutrients to carry it through the cooler months. Some people also like to give it a lighter feed every couple of months during the growing season to keep it looking really healthy. I'd suggest a Buffalo-specific product, such as Munns Professional Buffalo Booster Lawn Fertiliser. Check out How To Use Lawn Fertiliser for further guidance.
Weeds don’t tend to be a big problem with Sir Walter because it forms such a dense cover, but any that do pop up are best dealt with quickly before they spread. Pulling them by hand works best, but if you need to use a spray, make sure it’s safe for buffalo lawns such as this Yates BuffaloPro Hose On Lawn Weed Killer.
Aeration is worth doing once a year, usually in spring or autumn. This helps relieve compaction, especially in heavy soils, and allows water and nutrients to get down to the roots.
Dethatching is only needed every year or two, usually when the lawn feels spongy or water doesn’t soak in properly. The best time for this is also spring or autumn, when the lawn can bounce back quickly.
Watering will depend on the season. A new lawn needs to be kept damp until the roots establish, but once it’s settled in, deep watering two to three times a week in summer is usually enough. In autumn and spring, you can cut back to once a week, and in winter, you may hardly need to water at all, depending on rainfall. Early morning is the best time to water, so the lawn dries out during the day.
It's also important that you keep a fairly regular mowing schedule, as this encourages sideways growth instead of vertical growth, which will help to thicken your lawn. Mowing every 1–2 weeks in the warmer months will keep it neat and healthy, aiming to maintain a height of around 40–50 mm. In shaded areas, let it grow a little longer to help it stay strong. During winter, growth slows down, so you may only need to mow once every 4–6 weeks. Always avoid cutting more than one-third of the blade length at a time, as this can stress the lawn.
Overall, if you stick to a simple routine of feeding in the growing months, keeping on top of weeds when they appear, aerating once a year, dethatching every so often, watering deeply rather than often, and mowing regularly at a consistent height, your Sir Walter lawn will stay green, thick and healthy right through the year.
Check out the Lawn section of our D.I.Y. advice pages for some further guidance.
Jacob
