Three Tips to Maintain Your New Buffalo Lawn in Excellent Health and Condition
Buffalo turf is popular due to its drought and shade tolerance, soft leaves, wear resistance and lush green colour throughout the year. Some varieties of Buffalo turf are native to Australia, meaning they are well suited to the summer heat and winter frost. However, despite its impressive characteristics, Buffalo grass requires proper care to maintain good health and curb appeal. Therefore, if you are installing a new Buffalo lawn, check out these tips to keep the grass in ultimate health and condition.
Water the lawn at the appropriate time
Most Buffalo varieties have a high tolerance for drought. However, if you want your lawn to maintain its beautiful, lush colour throughout the year, you must water it diligently. Watering should be done early in the morning rather than at night. When you water the lawn at night, it can easily be prone to fungal and bacterial diseases.
At night, there is little or no evaporation; therefore, leaves don't shed excess water quickly. Consequently, the wet foliage attracts bacteria and fungi, exposing the lawn to disease. Watering in the morning ensures any excess water evaporates from the leaves, lowering the risk of infection.
Fertilise the lawn all year round
Fertilising your lawn year-round provides essential nutrients and keeps the turf looking healthy and appealing. A Buffalo lawn that is missing out on nutrients will exhibit the following signs:
- Yellow leaves
- Brown or wilting grass
- Slow or stunted growth
Invest in a quality fertiliser and apply it at least once every two months. Do not exceed the recommended application rates, as this can harm your lawn and cause the grass to turn yellow.
Besides fertiliser, Buffalo grass thrives on iron supplements. Therefore, if your lawn looks pale despite receiving adequate water and sunlight, it may have low iron. Apply an iron supplement, preferably in spring or autumn, to revive the lawn and make it greener.
Mow the grass regularly
Regular mowing is essential in maintaining the health of your Buffalo lawn. If the grass grows too tall, it will compete for nutrients. As a result, some patches of the lawn will grow faster than others, leading to stunted growth in some areas. Therefore, mow the turf regularly to allow the proper intake of nutrients and uniform growth.
Don't cut the grass too short, as this will result in an unhealthy lawn. Cutting the lawn too short may also cause it to lose the density of its thatch layer.
Follow these tips to keep your new Buffalo lawn healthy and preserve its lush green colour. Consult a landscaping professional if you need help choosing the best turf variety for your backyard. For more information on Buffalo grass, contact a professional near you.