What type of lawn do I have?

[Matty]

G'Day,

What a great site this is, full of fantastic information!!

Anyway, we have moved into a new place back in May and I was just wondering what sort of lawn I have.

Back in late October I cored it and threw down some topsoil and with all the rain we have had she is looking pretty good.

I have attached some photos of the front and back. I think it might be a type of buffalo but I am not sure.

Thanks in advance for any help.

Cheers,

Matt

[Steve]

G'day Matt,

Lawn looks lush and sweet!

Yes, definitely a Buffalo, but no way to tell what type of Buffalo it is without putting it under a microscope.

The most popular varieties these days are Sir Walter and Palmetto, which both have a very broad leaf, which it looks like you have. So i would say you would have wither one of these types… which are almost completely genetically identical anyway.

[Matty]

G'Day Steve,

Thank you very much for your reply and the compliment on the lawn.

Some of the hard work is starting to pay off!!

I'm glad I have not killed my lawn yet as when I first moved in I threw normal Weed and Feed on it which I now know could have killed it!!

Also out on the footpath I fixed a bit of a goat track from the postie by laying some new turf which was Kikuyu (didnt realise it was buffalo at the time) Should I dig this out and replace it with SIr Walter or will the Buffalo strangle it out over time?

Thanks again Steve and keep up the great work with the site.

Cheers,

Matt

[Steve]

G'day Matt,

Sounds like you had a close call with that weed spray… the lawn really is looking good.

No way to know what the Kikuyu and Buffalo would do together, but last time I saw Kikuyu get into a Buffalo lawn… the Kike won, and the owner was furious, and devastated.

With that in mind, I would be getting rid of the Kikuyu asap, and replace with soft Buffalo, if it's a high shade area then Sapphire is best, otherwise there's no difference between Sir Walter or Palmetto.

[Matty]

G'Day Steve,

Thanks again for the advice.

What would you reccommed for removal?

Should I poison it off first then dig it out or just dig it out? The turf has been on the ground now for about two months.

Cheers,

Matt

[Steve]

Hi Matt,

You need to get onto it fast, otherwise the Kike will win over a large chunk of your lawn before Winter sets in.

I would recommend using the Glyphosate method. Glyphosate is a broad spectrum herbicide which is most commonly known by the brand-name Roundup. But it's all the same stuff, so just buy a generic product and save yourself some big bucks.

Firstly, stop mowing and leave the lawn to grow a bit longer, throw down a little fertiliser if you like, this will get some extra growth happening as well as aid the effectiveness of the Glyphosate poison.

After a couple / few weeks, you'll notice the Kikuyu will be growing much higher than the Buffalo.

You will want to now poison the Kikuyu without poisoning the Buffalo, and this can be done in two ways.

With the Glyphosate mixed up in a sturdy container that won't readily spill over, either:

1) dip a small paintbrush into the poison and paint the leaves and preferably the runners of the Kikuyu.

2) wearing a rubber glove, dip the fingers of your gloved hand into the poison and then rub the poison over the leaves / runners of the Kike.

Be very careful not to let the Glyphosate touch the Buffalo (or any other plants), otherwise that will die too.

The Kike should die within a week or two, if it re-emerges, just repeat the application again.

[Matty]

Hi Steve,

Thanks for the instructions. I will got onto it this arvo I think as long as the weather holds off.

I might post up some before and after pics.

Cheers,

Matt