Buffalo Lawns Guide NSW Australia – 2025
Buffalo Lawns, Australia’s pride and joy when it comes to green spaces. Our staple for backyard cricket, footy and just a great thick, luscious turf, providing the average Aussie bloke the opportunity to crank up the mower each weekend and revel in the bliss of mowing a lawn, firing up the sprinklers and flexing to your neighbour across the road. Now when it comes to taking care of Buffalo lawns, they’re relatively straight forward and i’ll provide you with a complete guide below on chasing the dream of the perfect buffalo lawn.
Sir Walter Buffalo, the most commonly bought and grown, is renowned for its low maintenance requirements, however regular mowing, watering and fertilising will ensure your lawn stays in tip top shape, regardless of what the weather and pests & disease can throw at it.
For a, in a nutshell guide to buffalo lawns, follow these simple steps:
- Water deeply at least once a week during the active growing periods (September – May).
- Mow your lawn regularly, roughly once a week in summer and every two weeks in Winter.
- Fertilise your lawn during growing periods with slow release or liquid fertiliser.
- Remove weeds before they get a foothold.
- Aerate and top-dress your lawn every year
How to Mow Buffalo Grass
Regular mowing is great for buffalo grasses, promoting horizontal growth for a thick lawn which will strangle out any weeds.
A good rule of thumb when mowing is to only remove one-third of the grass height each time. Removing more than this puts too much stress on the lawn and can lead to poor lawn health and increased weed growth.
Thatch, the layer of dead material at the base of grass blades — can become an issue if you don’t mow regularly.
A little thatch can help keep your lawn healthy during hot periods but you don’t want it to build up too much or it may cause the grass to overheat and even die.
The ideal height for a buffalo lawn is between 25 and 40mm. But keep the grass a little longer during the winter—around 60 to 70mm is best.
In shady conditions, increase the mowing height as the extra leaf area will allow the lawn to tolerate the low light conditions. For heavy shade conditions set the mower height at 5-7 cm.
Buffalo Lawn Weed Control
Buffalo grasses form dense root systems which will protect against weed invasion to some extent, so it’s important to repair dead or bare patches quickly to prevent weeds taking hold.
Unfortunately Buffalo grasses are a bit more susceptible to broad spectrum herbicides, more so than your Couch or Kikuyu. Most of the weed management I conduct as a horticulturalist for clients lawns are using manual removal when possible as well as the quite effective Yates Weed n Feed, designed for the selective control of large areas of bindii and many broadleaf weeds in buffalo grass, without destroying the grass itself. You’ll see visible weed control within a few weeks on broadleaf weeds that haven’t flowered yet.
Seasonal Buffalo Lawn Guide
Spring
- Lawn Renovation and Mowing:
- Mowing: As temperatures rise and growth accelerates, begin regular mowing to maintain a tidy, even lawn. Mow the grass to a height of about 40-50mm, ensuring not to remove more than a third of the blade length at once.
- Lawn Renovation: If needed, you can overseed areas that have thinned out over winter. A light top-dressing with soil or compost can help improve soil health.
- Fertilising:
- Apply a balanced fertiliser to kickstart growth. A slow-release nitrogen fertiliser is ideal for encouraging green, healthy grass.
- Organic options like compost or organic lawn foods are also beneficial in promoting long-term soil health.
- Weed Control:
- Spring is an important time for weed control, as warmer weather encourages weed growth. Use a selective herbicide designed for Buffalo grass or remove weeds by hand.
- Irrigation:
- While Sir Walter is drought-tolerant, newly established lawns or patches may require extra water during the warmer spring months. Ensure your lawn is watered deeply, encouraging deep root growth. Avoid frequent shallow watering.
Summer
- Mowing and Lawn Height:
- Continue mowing regularly, but in the heat of summer, it’s important not to mow too short. Keep the mowing height at around 40-50mm to protect the grass from heat stress.
- Mow early in the morning or late in the evening to avoid heat damage.
- Watering:
- Summer in NSW can be hot and dry, so watering becomes essential. Water your lawn deeply early in the morning or late in the evening to minimise evaporation, watering during the hottest parts pf the day is a waste of water and potentially harmful to your plants.
- Watering deeply once or twice a week (depending on weather) is better than frequent shallow watering.
- Fertilising:
- You can apply a light dose of fertiliser in early summer to encourage healthy growth. Opt for a low-phosphorus, slow-release formula designed for warm-season grasses.
- Avoid fertilising during extreme heat.
- Pest and Disease Control:
- Watch for common summer pests like grubs, armyworms, and lawn beetles. If you notice any signs of pests, use an appropriate treatment.
- Regularly inspect for fungal diseases, particularly during humid weather. Ensure proper drainage and avoid over-watering to prevent mould and rot.
Autumn
- Mowing and Lawn Care:
- Gradually reduce mowing frequency as the grass enters its dormant period. The cooler autumn temperatures may slow growth, but it’s still important to maintain the lawn by mowing regularly.
- If your lawn has any dead patches or thinning areas, consider overseeding in early autumn to ensure it remains lush through winter.
- Fertilising:
- Autumn is a key time for fertilising your lawn to strengthen it for the cooler months. Apply a slow-release nitrogen-based fertiliser with added potassium to help improve the lawn’s resistance to cold and drought.
- Weed Control:
- Autumn is an ideal time to target and control winter weeds like winter grass and chickweed. Use a selective herbicide or pull weeds manually.
- Watering:
- As temperatures cool, your lawn will require less water. Reduce the frequency of irrigation but ensure the lawn still gets a deep soak once a week, particularly if there’s little rainfall.
Winter
- Mowing and Lawn Care:
- During winter, growth slows down significantly. You may not need to mow at all, but if the grass is growing slightly, keep mowing to maintain a tidy appearance.
- Avoid mowing during frosty periods to prevent damaging the grass.
- Fertilising:
- Winter is not the time for heavy fertilisation, as grass is dormant. However, you can apply a light, slow-release fertiliser with low nitrogen content if you haven’t fertilised in autumn.
- Avoid fertilising in very cold weather, as it can encourage growth at a time when the grass should be resting.
- Watering:
- Watering needs are minimal during winter. Only water the lawn if there has been an extended dry period and the lawn begins to show signs of drought stress.
- Watering deeply every two to three weeks should be sufficient during this time.
- General Maintenance:
- Keep an eye on lawn pests, although fewer issues typically arise during winter. However, it’s important to remove any leaves or debris that could smother the grass and promote fungal growth.
- Minimise foot traffic on the lawn during frosty conditions to avoid damage to the turf.
General Tips for All Seasons:
- Soil Health:
- Regularly check soil pH and adjust if necessary. Sir Walter Buffalo prefers slightly acidic to neutral soil (pH 5.5 to 7.0).
- Aerate your lawn in the spring or autumn if the soil is compacted. This will improve root growth and water infiltration.
- Pest and Disease Management:
- Keep an eye on pests like caterpillars and grubs, especially in warmer months.
- Proper watering practices (avoiding overwatering) and mowing will help prevent fungal diseases like dollar spot or rust.
- Regular Inspection:
- Keep an eye out for areas that might need reseeding, repair, or extra care. Early detection of problems allows for better management.