Buffalo Lawn Thatch

Thatch In Buffalo Lawns

Thatching in Buffalo lawns can become a major problem over time, and more so than any other lawn variety. Buffalo produces thick stemmed runners (stolons) which become thatch as they die. Before dying, and with proper lawn care, each stolon produces the next generation of stolons, these new stolons grow above the old ones, and that’s how a green lawn is continually maintained.

Due to the thickness of the stems, the thatch layer in Buffalo lawns can continue to build on top of each other and significantly raise the height of the lawn. The process can continue for decades where the thatch layer can raise to 20 centimetres thick. The result is that the roots no longer live in the soil, they live in the old thatch layer which doesn’t contain nutrients, and cannot hold onto water. The problem continues where the lawn may be many centimetres above the surrounding path or outdoor area.

The lawn is in poor health, is spongy, looks ugly, is very difficult to mow, and can be a major hazard for tripping and injury. In short, the lawn is no longer a lawn because it has lost it’s functionality.

Controlling Lawn Thatch

The easiest way to control the build up of thatch over time is to mow lawns regularly. Through regular lawn mowing we remove some of the excess stolons from the lawn, which would have become thatch at a later time. After the lawn is mowed, the turf will use it’s energy and growth to repair the leaf material that was just cut, as well as to produce more green leaves to replace the green leaf that was lost through lawn mowing. This process is called the Tillering effect.

The great thing which is happening here is that when the turf uses it’s energy to produce more green leaf, it uses far less energy to produce more stolons.

More green leaf = beautiful green lawn,

Less stolon growth = less thatch.

Miraculous isn’t it!

Vertimowing Lawns

While thatch build up can be slowed, it will always remain a beneficial part of our lawns, and over time it will still build up to excessive levels and need to be addressed and removed as part of our lawn care.

Thatch is removed by a process called Vertimowing. When vertimowing Buffalo lawns it is important to de-thatch the lawn before the thatch layer becomes too thick, otherwise and as previously mentioned, the roots of the green lawn will no longer be in the soil but in the thatch layer. So in removing the thatch, we also remove the root system and the lawn will die.

Severely Thatched Buffalo

The only solution for a severely thatched buffalo lawn (15 cm thick or more) is to remove it altogether with a Bobcat or Dingo Digger.

Before taking this drastic action, always consult with a Vertimowing Professional who can properly assess your lawn and either it’s suitability to vertimowing, or to advise it’s removal.

Don’t Be Put Off

In all cases, do not be put off by the possible thick thatching of Buffalo. Buffalo, and especially the new soft leaf cultivars remains a very good grass for use as home lawns in shaded areas. And regardless of the variety, all warm season lawns require vertimowing every few years to control thatch build up in our lawn care regimes.

Still Unsure?

If you're still unsure about Buffalo then their are two other options worth considering:

Zoysia grass is a fantastic low maintenance lawn which is best suited to all the warmer regions of Australia, and sits just behind Buffalo for shade tolerance... and has none of the thatch issues associated with Buffalo.
Also see our specialised Zoysia Grass section.

Durban Grass is even more shade tolerant than Buffalo, but is also more suited to the warmer regions.