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Hi all,
Want some opinions on this Sir Walter Buffalo lawn. Starting the spring reno.
I've included a few photos of different parts of the lawn.
Is this dead material on top considered thatch? Should I remove it?
Thanks!
Hi @mjwalsh,
Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. We're really pleased to have you join us.
Your lawn is looking great to me!
How high and "spongy" is it? When was the turf originally laid? Or when was the last time it was de-thatched? And what's your current watering and feeding regime?
Please note that a couple of our resident Bunnings D.I.Y. experts are taking a well-earned break at the moment, so there might be a bit of a delay before one can get back to you with their thoughts on the best approach for your lawn. In the meantime, let me tag @homeinmelbourne and @Adam_W for their advice.
Jason
Not very high or spongy and it was dethached last summer so it's probably fine.
Was just wondering if any of that dead grass on the top should be removed (shown in the other photos). Another photo above showing the height and condition.
At this stage it's had a low mow and good watering/fertilise today to kick off spring.
Hi @mjwalsh,
The dead grass on top is just older grass. Coming out of winter, Buffalo tends to have this. This material starts to sink into the lawn, and that becomes thatch.
Your lawn currently just needs some fertiliser. However, you could dethatch and scarify it, but it's a big process, and your lawn will take a couple of seasons to recover fully. At this stage, if it hasn't become spongey underfoot, I would just fertilise and enjoy your lawn.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Mitchell
Hello @jo94
You are doing the right thing by paying attention to your lawn’s health and timing maintenance carefully. Knowing when to dethatch makes a big difference to how well your grass bounces back.
The best time to dethatch your lawn is in late spring or early summer, when the grass is in its peak growing season and can recover quickly from the stress. This timing is especially important for warm season grasses like Kikuyu or Buffalo, which respond well to active growth periods. It is best to avoid cooler months, as recovery will be slow, and to steer clear of the intense heat of mid-summer, which can cause unnecessary damage.
You will know it is time to dethatch if the thatch layer of dead material is thicker than about 1.5 cm (1/2 inch) and the lawn feels spongy underfoot. Even then, it is important to only dethatch when truly necessary, as the process is quite stressful for the grass and should not be done too often. I also suggest having a look at this featured project - Lawn renovation by @homeinmelbourne. It will give you a general idea on how to dethatch your lawn.
If you need further assistance, please let us know.
Eric
