You should mow new buffalo turf between 10 and 14 days after you install it. Buffalo grass is one of Australia's most common types of turf, according to the Australian Department of Health, because it suppresses weeds and withstands wear from foot traffic. While your buffalo lawn may tolerate drought and wear, timing when to mow your new buffalo turf is extremely important for its health.
Our team at Mowrator manufactures remote-controlled lawn mowers that are perfect for mowing your new Sir Walter Buffalo lawn. We have written this guide to help you understand the best time to mow new buffalo turf, what buffalo grass is, and 5 lawn care tips for buffalo grass.
Key Takeaways
- Mow new buffalo turf 10–14 days after installation (or 2–3 weeks in winter), ensuring deep root penetration before the first mow to prevent damage.
- Buffalo grass is a durable, drought-resistant warm-season grass popular in Australia, requiring minimal maintenance compared to other turf types.
- Proper care involves regular mowing, seasonal fertilisation, adequate watering, and dethatching every 1–2 years to maintain a healthy lawn.
When is the Best Time to Mow New Buffalo Turf
The best time to mow your new buffalo turf for the first time is 10 to 14 days after installing it, or between 2 and 3 weeks during winter. If your new grass is growing and has roots penetrating your soil, you can feel comfortable mowing your new lawn even before 10 days are up. Deep root penetration is the main reason you shouldn't mow your Sir Walter lawn too early, as mowing before your turf has roots can destroy the grass and leave ugly, bare patches.
What is Buffalo Grass?
Buffalo grass is a warm-season grass that's popular for lawn turf because of its adaptability and drought resilience. Buffalo grass differs from the North American prairie grass species Buffalograss, an important distinction when purchasing new turf in Australia. Common buffalo grass types include Sir Walter DNA-certified, Sapphire Buffalo, Palmetto Buffalo, Matilda Buffalo, and Prestige Buffalo.
Sir Walter Buffalo maintenance is relatively easy because it tolerates the Australian climate. It is drought, salt, and shade-tolerant (at least certain varieties like Sapphire). Its low maintenance requirements mean you have to mow and fertilise less often than other types of grass.
5 Tips for Caring for Buffalo Grass
We've written a guide on how to care for your buffalo grass, from installing, mowing, fertilising, watering, and dethatching. These 5 tips for buffalo turf grass care aim to help you maintain your grass, from installation to long-term maintenance.
| Lawn Care Tip | Description |
|---|---|
| 1. Installing Buffalo Grass | To install Sir Walter Buffalo grass, clear weeds and debris, prepare at least 100 mm of soil, lay the turf without gaps, and compact it with a heavy roller for proper root contact. |
| 2. Mowing Buffalo Grass | Mow buffalo grass every 5–7 days in summer at 30–50 mm height, avoid cutting below 25 mm, reduce mowing to every 4 weeks in winter with a higher cut, and keep blades sharp while changing mowing patterns to prevent soil compaction. |
| 3. Fertilising Buffalo Grass | Fertilise buffalo grass in early and late spring with a high-nitrogen fertiliser, apply a balanced fertiliser mid-summer for resilience, and use a slow-release fertiliser in autumn to prepare for winter dormancy. |
| 4. Watering Buffalo Grass | Water new turf consistently to keep the soil moist, up to 2–3 times in hot weather, then reduce to 1–2 times per week in the growing season and once every two weeks in winter. |
| 5. Dethatching Buffalo Grass | Dethatch buffalo grass every 1–2 years if it feels spongy, using a low mow, rake, or dethatching machine to prevent waterlogging and disease. |
1. Installing and Laying Buffalo Grass
To install buffalo grass, mainly Sir Walter Buffalo grass, you must clear your lawn, prepare your soil, and lay your turf with a wetting agent. Removing any existing weeds and debris from where you plan to lay your buffalo grass is always best. You can use a non-selective herbicide to rid the area of any vegetation before starting your new lawn care.
Your soil should be at least 100 mm deep to help root growth and, ideally, around 40 to 50 mm below adjoining surfaces like driveways or paths to prevent unwanted lateral growth. Once you've prepared your soi, l lay the turf as soon as possible. Place each piece of buffalo turf next to another in a straight line without overlapping or leaving gaps.
Once you place all pieces of turf, compact it with a heavy roller to ensure the roots and soil have good contact and that all air pockets are gone.
2. Mowing Buffalo Grass
You should mow your buffalo grass every 5 to 7 days during the summer growing season to keep your buffalo turf short and lush during this period of rapid growth. Set your mowing height to 30 mm to 50 mm, as this is the perfect range for buffalo grass to grow healthily and resist pests and diseases. Never mow below 25 mm; you'll risk scalping your lawn and creating unsightly browning and stress.
As summer turns to winter, you can raise the mowing height and mow less frequently (every 4 weeks). Leaving longer blades during winter lets your buffalo grass photosynthesise more light, essential for a healthy lawn. Whenever you mow your lawn, double-check that your mowing blades are sharp and that you change your mowing pattern to prevent soil compaction.
3. Fertilising Buffalo Grass
Fertilising your buffalo grass during the active growing seasons (spring, summer, and autumn) is crucial to maintaining buffalo turf. Each season requires a different fertilisation process to help sustain and grow a healthy buffalo lawn, which we've detailed in this table for you:
| Season | Fertilisation Process |
|---|---|
| Spring | In early spring, a high-nitrogen fertiliser is applied to help the lawn transition out of dormancy. This also supports lush green growth as temperatures rise. Then, in late spring, a second round of fertilisation is beneficial to sustain growth during peak growing periods. |
| Summer | Fertilise mid-summer to enhance the lawn's resilience against heat stress and pests. Use a balanced fertiliser that supports continued growth. |
| Autumn | Apply a heavy dose of slow-release fertiliser before winter dormancy. This helps fortify the grass and store nutrients in its root system for the colder months. |
4. Watering Buffalo Grass
After laying your buffalo turf, aim to water it for at least 1 hour to saturate the soil. For the first 10 to 14 days after laying new turf, you should be watering your soil to keep it moist consistently — which means you may need to water the lawn 2 to 3 times during scorching weather.
Once the grass establishes watering, your Sir Walter Buffalo (or other turf varieties) will require much less water. Aim to water your lawn once or twice a week in the growing season. Once Australia's mild winter arrives, you can reduce this to once every two weeks.
5. Dethatching Buffalo Grass
Dethatching buffalo grass is essentially every 1 or 2 years to keep your lawn healthy. Thatch is a dead matter that accumulates on the surface of your soil, which can lead to poor circulation, waterlogging, and greater susceptibility to diseases if it is more than 1.5 cm thick. You can tell if your lawn needs dethatching if it feels spongy underfoot.
You can maintain a healthier lawn by using a low mowing height, dethatching rake, or dethatching machine to scalp your lawn and remove the thatch underneath. Avoid Sir Walter Buffalo grass problems, utilising a lawn mower that is easy to use and delivers exceptional power. Shop Mowrator's S1 Remote Control Lawn Mower 4WD today.
When to Mow New Buffalo Turf FAQs
What do you do after laying Sir Walter Buffalo grass?
After laying Sir Walter Buffalo grass, it is crucial to water it deeply at least twice daily for the first 2–3 weeks to establish a strong root system. Additionally, you should plan to fertilise the lawn approximately 5–6 weeks after installation to support healthy growth and colour retention throughout the year.
What kills Sir Walter
Sir Walter buffalo grass can be killed by non-selective herbicides, such as glyphosate-based products, which kill almost any plant they come into contact with. Additionally, improper use of selective herbicides, particularly those not formulated for buffalo grass, can lead to discolouration or damage if applied at incorrect rates or during inappropriate conditions
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