Buffalo Turf - Fertilising Lawns In Winter

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All the Buffalo types showed good winter colour improvement by fertilising in Autumn and Winter. In our trials, Palmetto had better results than other Buffalo types, except for Sapphire which rated the best. Sapphire with it’s fine leaf, seems to be less effected by the frost and had the best winter colour ratings. Palmetto had better ratings when fertilised in autumn and not in winter than most other types. This trial was on 3 year old plots. Younger turf often shows different results due to low thatch build up. The only ones that thatched less were Palmetto, Sapphire and Sir Walter, all having better winter colour than the 3 other types, which all thatched considerably. Even the more thatchy types however improved with winter fertilising, just not by as much.

Recipe for Improved Buffalo types.

Fertilise at the beginning of April and again in mid-June with slow release fertiliser applications at a heavy rate, or better still use a blend of quick and slow release as per the ‘Autumn Winter Blend’ as used in the trials these recipes were based on. Fertilise in Mid to late October or early November with a moderate rate of slow release fertiliser, or a heavy rate of organic type fertiliser. Fertilise in January, February or March if the lawn is having problems such as lawn grub or disease, has brown patches, or is looking a little tied, with a moderate application of slow release fertiliser. However it may be worth considering further optional applications, if your lawn receives very heavy wear from dogs or kids, or you want a dark green lawn all year. THE MOST IMPORTANT FERTILISER TIME IS AUTUMN AND WINTER.

Mowing practice can also help keep Buffalo greener in winter. Leave at a moderate length for most of the year. If after all the recommended fertilising the lawn browns off in winter, lightly mow the Buffalo. Under even many moderate frosts and the odd heavy frost, only the tips of leaf burns. A light mow removes most of the burn making the lawn instantly greener. In Spring every year for thatchy Buffalo types, and every 2 to 3 years for Palmetto, Sapphire and Sir Walter, dethatch with a specialised machine, or simply remove the thatch by mowing very short (scalping) and collecting the clippings. This will greatly improve its next year’s winter colour.


Palmetto http://www.palmetto.com.au

Sapphire http://www.sapphireturf.com.au

Sir Walter http://softleafbuffalograss.com.au/sir-walter.php