Expert Buffalo Grass Installation

Here on the Northern Beaches, I always recommend putting down a quality turf underlay or soil conditioner before buffalo grass installation. Given our sandy soils that drain quickly, I typically use a blend of quality soil conditioner mixed with some organic matter. This gives your buffalo grass something substantial to root into rather than just our fast-draining sand.

For most Northern Beaches properties, I’ll add about 50mm of premium soil mix that includes some clay content to help with moisture retention. You don’t want your expensive buffalo grass installation sitting on pure sand where the roots can’t establish properly.

The secret to getting buffalo grass to spread quickly in Northern Beaches conditions is getting the watering and fertilizing balance just right during establishment. I recommend a slow-release fertilizer specifically designed for buffalo grass about 6-8 weeks after installation.

Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged – our sandy soils make this tricky, so you might need shorter, more frequent watering sessions rather than long soaks. Also, avoid heavy foot traffic during the first 8-10 weeks. I tell my Northern Beaches clients that patience during establishment pays off with faster spreading later.

A spongy buffalo lawn usually means there’s too much thatch buildup or the soil underneath has become too soft from overwatering. This is pretty common in Northern Beaches properties where people get nervous about our dry spells and overcompensate with too much water.

Try reducing your watering frequency and consider having the lawn dethatched if it’s been established for more than two years. Our humid coastal conditions can accelerate thatch buildup, so this maintenance is more important here than in drier areas.

For thinning buffalo grass on Northern Beaches properties, I usually start by checking if salt air exposure is causing stress – this is particularly common in properties closer to the beach. A light application of gypsum can help with salt tolerance.

Then I recommend overseeding with the same buffalo variety during our warm months (October to February), combined with a quality lawn fertilizer. Make sure you’re not mowing too short – buffalo grass performs better when kept at around 30-40mm height in our coastal conditions.

On the Northern Beaches, the most common buffalo grass killers I see are salt burn from ocean spray (especially after big storms), overwatering in our sandy soils leading to root rot, and grub damage during warmer months.

Check for brown patches that start near the ocean side of your property – that’s usually salt damage. If you’re seeing irregular brown patches with soft, mushy roots, you’re probably overwatering. Army worm and curl grub are common here during summer, so look for small holes and birds pecking at your lawn.

You can lay buffalo turf in winter here, but it’s not ideal. Our Northern Beaches winter temperatures slow down root establishment significantly, and you won’t see active growth until spring arrives.

If you must install during winter, expect a much longer establishment period and be extra careful with watering – our winter rainfall combined with slow growth can lead to waterlogging in our sandy soils. I usually recommend waiting until September when soil temperatures start warming up.