Can You Grow Buffalo Grass from Seed?

Something is fulfilling about growing your lawn from seed and watching it come to life! Buffalo Grass is one of four popular grass varieties for Aussie homeowners to use on their lawns, along with Couch, Zoysia, and Kikuyu Grass. These grasses all come with pros and cons, and which one is best for your lawn can depend on a few factors. For hardy, verdant lawns, Buffalo Grass consistently comes out on top, but how can you go about growing it in your yard?

There are two ways to deck your lawn out in Buffalo Grass; grow it from seed, or put down turf. If you want to take the more cost-effective route, then growing Buffalo Grass from seed might be the way to go, but it can be a tedious and sometimes unsuccessful process. If you’re keen to have a go, then here are the Jim’s Mowing experts’ thoughts on growing Buffalo Grass from seed.

Why Choose Buffalo Grass?

Buffalo grass is lush and low-maintenance, and grows well in both shady and sunny spots. The hardy lawn thrives various climates and tolerates droughts well, making it ideal for hot Aussie summers with little rain. Another benefit of Buffalo Grass is its density, making it difficult for weeds to get through and grow.

There are a few different varieties of Buffalo Grass, and if you’re aiming to grow it from seed, you’ll need to choose which type will best suit your needs.

Common varieties of buffalo grass

Prestige Buffalo Grass

Prestige is a soft leaf Buffalo Grass that is low-thatch and has a good tolerance to wear. This means it can be great for those who love to entertain, or have kids or pets who enjoy running about on the lawn. This variety of buffalo grass has a dark green colour all year round, so it looks great throughout the changing seasons. 

Sapphire Buffalo Grass

Sapphire is another low-maintenance variety of lawn that can hold its colour all year round. Sapphire Buffalo Grass grows well in shade, making it a good choice for gardens that have plenty of tree coverage. The leaves of Sapphire grass are very fine, and fold to create a gentle, wispy blade once they have matured.

Palmetto Buffalo Grass

Sometimes referred to as Palmetto St Augustine, this variety of buffalo grass is tolerant of both frost and drought. It can handle moderate shade or full sun and has a soft leaf. Like other varieties, Palmetto is low-maintenance and tends to require less mowing than many other grasses. It is also good at holding its stunning emerald green colouring throughout the winter months. 

Sir Walter Buffalo Grass

Sir Walter buffalo grass is a highly popular grass among Aussies. It’s good at tolerating drought conditions, plus can handle shade well, requiring just 2 or 3 hours of full sun each day to thrive. This low-maintenance lawn also handles wear well, making it ideal for families who like outdoor activities and socialising. 

Problems with Growing Buffalo Grass from Seed

While buffalo grass can technically be grown from seed, it can be a very tricky process. In fact, it can be difficult to even locate buffalo grass seeds. Some of the issues surrounding growing Buffalo Grass from seed include: 

Seed availability

Before you even think about planting, you’ll want to source your seeds, and it can be quite tricky to find buffalo lawn seeds in Australia. Many popular varieties have actually been bred to be sterile, so don’t produce seeds. This means that even those who breed turf tend to keep buffalo varieties going from a strip!

Poor return for effort

Buffalo grass seeds just aren’t that good at germinating. You could spend all day outside sowing seeds, and still only have a small number sprout. This means you’ll need to source even more seeds to account for those that will not grow, costing more money, and taking more time. 

Tips for Growing Buffalo Grass

If you’re still keen to grow your own Buffalo lawn, consider growing it from turf instead!

Plant in the spring or autumn

The milder seasons are a good time to plant your buffalo grass turf. During the summer, newly planted grass will need to be watered regularly to keep it hydrated, and you might find yourself needing to give your new grass a drink multiple times a day. The winter can also be a tricky time for the plant to become established due to the cooler weather, although this may be less applicable in hotter spots across the country.

Keep an eye on the thatch

Some varieties of buffalo lawn can be susceptible to thatch build-up. If you notice this happening with your grass, try mowing the lawn lower than you normally would a couple of times each year. Alternatively, you can call in the experts at Jim’s to mow your lawn professionally to help maintain it.

Fertilise

If you want your lawn to look its best, it’s a good idea to ensure you regularly fertilise, weed, and feed it.

Call in the Experts

At Jim’s Mowing, our team can help you out with your next garden project. Give Jim’s Mowing a call today to start bringing your dream lawn to life!