Problems with Sir Walter Buffalo Grass (And Useful Solutions)

Sir Walter Buffalo Grass is the crowd favourite when it comes to Australian lawns.

With its DNA-certification and prevalence in over 500,000 Australian homes, Sir Walter has earned its stripes as the number one grass variety in the country.

However, even this resilient turf faces challenges. We’ve put together this guide to run through some of the most common problems that households face with their Sir Walter turf grass.

Common Causes of Damage to Sir Walter Buffalo Lawn

Family & General Wear Damage

The embrace of family gatherings and the pitter-patter of little feet often translate to a well-loved lawn, but the wear and tear is undeniable.

Don’t worry, you don’t need to stop using your lawn. Instead, the first step is to simply understand common wear patterns. By recognising what soil compaction looks like in your lawn, you know when you need to alleviate wear damage through aeration and soil leveling.

These measures create an optimal environment for your buffalo lawn’s root system to flourish. Following areating and applying top soil, you should be sure to regularly fertilise and water your lawn during the recovery phase to aid in rejuvenating your buffalo grass.

Pet Damage

Our four-legged companions bring boundless joy but also present unique challenges to your lawn. Continuous pet traffic and occasional digging can leave unsightly patches.

Aeration becomes a valuable ally in mitigating these issues, promoting healthy soil structure. Additionally, diversion techniques and addressing urine burns can help prevent damage in your buffalo lawn.

Australian Weather Damage

Australia’s diverse climate, while a source of pride, poses challenges to your buffalo grass. Varying weather conditions, from scorching heat to dry periods, excessive cold, shade, and moisture, can impact its well-being.

Adaptability is key. Adjust watering schedules to match the needs of your lawn during extreme weather. Additionally, providing shade and thorough watering during the blistering heat are vital to overcoming the challenges posed by Australia’s weather rollercoaster.

Grub Damage

Unwanted guests in the form of grubs can wreak havoc on your buffalo lawn. Identifying signs of infestation is the first line of defense.

Lawn Solutions Australia Grub Guard offers an effective treatment, but timing is everything. Apply treatments as the label instructs and follow up with fertilisation post-insecticide treatment to ensure your lawn’s recovery and sustained health.

Weed Infiltration Damage

While Sir Walter Buffalo Grass boasts commendable weed resistance, it’s important to keep an eye out for weeds as they appear. Early detection and manual removal of weeds are integral to maintaining your lush green lawn.

Keeping up regular lawn care efforts such as soil checks, aeration, and top dressing will help your Sir Walter grass outcompete weeds.

Additionally, preemptive measures, such as using preventative herbicides like Lawn Solutions Oxafert, serve as an additional layer of defense against weed infiltration.

Sir Walter Turf Maintenance Tips for Preventing Problems

Ensure you are using proper watering practices

Watering your lawn so that it thrives without becoming overwatered is an artform. Ideally, you will water thoroughly and infrequently, to mimic rainfall patterns and keep your lawn healthy. You should also water your lawn in the morning or afternoon to avoid the heat of the day and lower the chances of lawn disease (by overwatering and creating a damp environment).

Stock up on essential lawn care tools and products

Ahead of peak growth seasons, equip yourself with the essential tools and products for efficient lawn maintenance. For buffalo lawns, it’s a good idea to keep stocked up on fertiliser and herbicide (that’s safe for buffalo grass) as well as tools such as a mower, fertiliser spreader and rake.

Maintain Seasonal lawn care

Your beloved buffalo turf will need different care throughout the year. In Summer, your lawn will not only need more water and more mowing as it is the peak growth season, it will also benefit from liquid fertiliser to give it a quick boost.

Find out more about seasonal lawn care in our guides:

Handling Weeds, Pests, and Thatch

The best thing to do when facing weeds, pests and overgrown thatch, is to confront these challenges head-on. If you notice signs that you may have a problem with your lawn, its best to idenitfy the issue and treat it as quickly as possible, whether thats with manual weed removal or pesticide.

Fertilise Your Lawn Throughout the Year

To help your buffalo lawn stay green throughout the year, including Winter, seasonal fertilising is important. We recommend fertilising ahead of Winter to help it through dormancy, in Spring to help it recover from Winter, in Summer to help it stay strong in the heat and in Autumn to help prepare for the cool seasons.

Read our guide to fertilising your buffalo lawn to find out more about the best types of fertiliser to use for your lawn each season.

Installing a New Sir Walter Buffalo Lawn

Sir Walter turf is Australia’s favourite choice for lawns, and for good reason. As well as being a beautiful lawn, a Sir Walter lawn has a number of benefits for your home and family.

High tolerance to drought, moisture, and cold weather.
Suitable for both full sun and shade areas.
Quick recovery from damage.
Dense growth prevents weed growth and reduces water evaporation.
Allergy-free for kids and pets.
Resistant to pests and diseases, reducing the need for pesticides and fungicides.
Provides cooling benefits to the surroundings compared to concrete and artificial turf.
Tight growth habit for a full, green looking lawn.

Quick tips for caring for your new Sir Walter buffalo lawn

New lawns need more care than established lawns. Here are some quick tips to giving your lawn the best start.

Watering

Keep the turf moist for the first two weeks after installation to establish a strong root system.
Deep watering once a fortnight during hot summer days, once a month in autumn and spring, and no watering when there is enough rainfall.
Apply wetting agents at least once a year to improve water absorption.

Mowing

Start mowing when the grass reaches around 6cm in height.
Mow at least once a week, more frequently during the summer to prevent thatch build-up.
Consider the 1/3 mowing rule to avoid scalping your lawn and causing bigger problems.

Fertilising

Wait for at least six weeks after installation before fertilising.
Apply fertiliser every 6-8 weeks for the first year to maintain healthy root establishment.
Use fertilisers with iron supplements, especially in sandy soils.

Sir Walter Buffalo Grass FAQs

What is the problem with buffalo grass?

Buffalo grass, including the esteemed Sir Walter variety, is generally resilient, but it can face challenges.

Common issues include wear patterns from family traffic, pet-related damage, weather extremes, grub infestations, and potential weed infiltration.

While Sir Walter is known for its robust nature, proactive maintenance is key to overcoming these challenges.

Why is my Sir Walter lawn dying in patches?

Patchy areas in your Sir Walter lawn may stem from various causes. Traffic patterns, both from family activities and pets, can lead to localised wear and soil compaction. Additionally, weather fluctuations, including extreme heat or cold, may contribute to patchiness.

Identifying the specific cause is crucial. Perform a thorough analysis, considering factors like aeration, proper watering, and addressing any pest or weed issues affecting those areas.

How do you fix Sir Walter buffalo grass?

Fixing Sir Walter buffalo grass involves targeted actions based on the specific problem. For wear and compaction issues, aeration and soil leveling are effective solutions.

Pet damage may require diversion techniques, strategic aeration, and addressing urine burns. Weather-related problems demand tailored care, adjusting watering and maintenance practices accordingly.

Grub damage necessitates treatments like Lawn Solutions Australia Grub Guard, applied at optimal times. Weed infiltration may be managed through early detection, manual removal, and preventive measures like herbicides.

Will Sir Walter grass spread?

Sir Walter buffalo grass has a spreading growth habit, making it an excellent choice for lush, uniform lawns. Its lateral growth allows it to recover from wear and tear effectively.

However, it’s important to note that while Sir Walter can spread, it’s not as invasive as some other grass varieties. Regular maintenance practices, including proper mowing and fertilisation, can encourage healthy lateral growth and help maintain the desired spread, ensuring your lawn remains dense and vibrant.

Adding borders to the lawn is the best way to control the spread of Sir Walter buffalo grass.