Best Lawn Care Schedule for Buffalo Grass in Port Macquarie

Buffalo grass — usually Sir Walter or Palmetto — is by far the most common lawn variety in Port Macquarie. It handles our humid summers, tolerates shade better than couch or kikuyu, and stands up to kids and dogs. But it does its best work when you give it a rhythm to follow.

Here's a month-by-month care schedule specifically for buffalo lawns in the Port Macquarie climate.

September – October: wake it up

• First mow at 40mm, remove clumped winter growth.
• Apply a slow-release lawn fertiliser high in nitrogen.
• Deep water once a week if spring rain is thin.

November – December: build density

• Mow weekly at 40–50mm to encourage lateral growth.
• Spot-treat any bindii or clover before the school holidays.
• Top-dress bare patches with a top dress soil if needed.

January – February: protect it

• Keep mowing height at 50mm — taller leaves shade the soil.
• Water deeply twice a week if temps are above 35c, early morning only.
• Watch for lawn disease and pests (Army worm or black beetle if large patches suddenly die off)

March – April: second feed

• Apply an autumn lawn fertiliser (lower nitrogen, higher potassium).
• Return to fortnightly mowing at 40mm.
• Aerate compacted, high-traffic areas with a garden fork.

May – August: hold steady

• Mow every 4-6 weeks, only when needed.
• Don't fertilise — it just feeds winter weeds.
• Rake off fallen leaves so light reaches the leaf blade.

Common buffalo mistakes we see in Port Macquarie

• Cutting too low. Buffalo scalps easily and takes weeks to recover.
• Shallow watering. Daily 5-minute sprinkles create weak, shallow roots.
• Wrong weed spray. Many broadleaf herbicides kill buffalo — always check the label.

Want it looked after for you? Our lawn care team handles buffalo lawns across Port Macquarie year-round.