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How to revive patchy Buffalo lawn?

LinL
Just Starting Out

How to revive patchy Buffalo lawn?

My buffalo lawn is not doing well. I’ve neglected it. Lots of bare and dry spots. Areas under shade is doing better. Wondering if it can be revived with lots of love and care or should I start again and returf my lawn? If I can revive it, please let me know what to do. There’s some weeds and there’s a patch of a different type of grass growing in some spots, one with a finer leaf. Thanks

 

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Fine leaf grass

 

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Daydreamer11
Getting Established

How to revive my buffalo turf?

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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.

 

EricL
Bunnings Team Member
Bunnings Team Member

Re: how to revive my buffalo turf

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

 

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Re: how to revive my buffalo turf

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

EricL
Bunnings Team Member
Bunnings Team Member

Re: how to revive my buffalo turf

Hi @Daydreamer11

 

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

 

Eric

 

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Re: how to revive my buffalo turf

Hi Eric, 

 

Model is :

Ryobi One+ 18V Brushless Cordless Scarifier

 

Thanks. 

Re: how to revive my buffalo turf

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

 

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Re: how to revive my buffalo turf

Thanks Mitch.

Samnet
Building a Reputation

How to revive grass?

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

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Leslee
Just Starting Out

Re: How to revive grass?

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.

EricL
Bunnings Team Member
Bunnings Team Member

Re: How to revive grass?

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

 

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