How to Remove Catsear Weed (hypochaeris radicata) from Your Lawn
Often mistaken for the English dandelion, catsear weeds can quickly ruin the aesthetic of your lush green garden oasis, with the appearance of yellow flowers in the middle of ...
Buffalo grass can be quite good at out-competing many weed types. However, once a Buffalo lawn begins to lose some of its health and vigour, many weed types can quickly invade the turf.
In this Buffalo weeds article, we’ll cover some of the best and most effective means of killing Buffalo lawn weeds as quickly as possible. While tackling all weed types in the proper order.
Before beginning weed treatments, you want to first fertilise your lawn.
This will achieve two different desired results. First, it will increase the success rate of weed killers by a large degree.
Second, it promotes the health and vigour of your turf allowing it to naturally outcompete weeds on its own.
Fertilise the lawn 3 to 7 days before beginning weed treatments.
An effective fertiliser can be found at the myhomeTURF online shop.
The biggest family of weeds is called Broadleaf weeds.
The term ‘Broadleaf Weeds’ refers to characteristics which many weed types have in common. Many different weeds can fall into this category such as Bindii, Clover, Catsear, Dandelion and various others.
Because so many weed types fall into the category of Broadleaf weeds, these are the weeds we will first target with a Broadleaf Weed Killer designed for safe use on Buffalo grass.
An ideal Broadleaf Weed Killer is Indigo Duke 100WG 100gm , a post-emergent liquid herbicide for the control of certain broadleaf weeds (such as Bindii, Black Thistle, Catsear, Cotula, Cudweed, Guildford Grass, Medic, Mouse Ear Chickweed, Oxalis, White Clover and False Onion Weeds). Duke is safe for use on Buffalo grasses as well as Kikuyu and Couch. It can not be used on Zoysia grasses.
Indigo Duke can be applied using a spray kit, but be sure to read the label prior to application.
Within 2 to 3 weeks, we’ll begin to see our weeds dying off. However, a closer look at the turf will reveal some younger weeds emerging, and some weed types that were sprayed – not dying. This is normal. Broadleaf weeds such as Oxalis can require 3 to 4 treatments to control.
We want to apply a second application of Buffalo-safe herbicide 2 to 3 weeks after the first. This will give a double hit for those harder-to-kill weeds, such as Wintergrass, which improves the chances of killing them, plus it will also kill off, very quickly, those younger weeds.
Again, Indigo Duke 100WG 100gm liquid herbicide is suitable for controlling Wintergrass weeds.
When you have the majority of weeds under control, it’s time to tackle some of the more difficult weed types which may require specialist sprays or other treatments.
Weeds such as Nutgrass can now be treated, being very careful to allow the lawn to rest and recover between different weed treatments.
A herbicide that combats the toughest of weeds, such as Nutgrass, Indigo Halo-Force 750WG 25gm is a dry flowable granule herbicide that disperses in water and can be used for selective post-emergence control of Nutgrass, it is also safe to use on Buffalo grasses.
Indigo Halo-Force can be applied using a spray kit, but be sure to read the label prior to application.
Kikuyu invasions in Buffalo grass can be treated any time throughout this entire process. This is because we do not use a weed spray on the Kikuyu which would otherwise go into the soil or onto the rest of the Buffalo turf.
Instead, Kikuyu will need to be carefully hand-painted with Glyphosate weed killer.
We do this by mixing the Glyphosate in a sturdy and safe container, wearing rubber gloves and dipping our gloved hand into the weed killer and gently wiping over the Kikuyu.
Alternatively, we can use a small paintbrush to carefully paint the roots and stems of the Kikuyu grass – always being very careful not to spill any Glyphosate onto the lawn. Glyphosate will kill any plant or lawn it comes into contact with.
Spartan is one of the leading pre-emergent herbicides for the control of grassy weeds. Spartan is suitable for use on Zoysia, Kikuyu, Couch and Buffalo grasses. Always read the safety directions and instructions on the product label before use.
SHOP NOWIndigo Halo-Force 750WG 25gm is a dry flowable granule herbicide that disperses in water and can be used for selective post-emergence control of Nutgrass in your lawn. Grasses that Indigo Halo-Force 750WG can be applied to are Kikuyu, Couch and Buffalo. Always read the safety directions and instructions on the product label before use.
SHOP NOWBow and Arrow 500mL is one of the most effective broadleaf liquid herbicides on the market. Bow and Arrow 500mL is suitable for Zoysia, Kikuyu, Couch and Buffalo grasses however transient discolouration may occur on Kikuyu, Carpet and Queensland Blue Couch lawns. Always read the safety directions and instructions on the product label before use.
SHOP NOWIndigo Duke 100WG 100gm is a very effective post-emergent liquid herbicide that controls certain broadleaf weeds and Winter Grass through suppression. Indigo Duke 100WG should only be used on Kikuyu, Buffalo and Couch grasses. Always read the safety directions and instructions on the product label before use.
SHOP NOWThe above weed treatments will effectively kill the majority of weeds in heavily infested Buffalo lawns.
Therefore be careful to space out the treatments to allow the turf enough time to recover between applications.
While undertaking these weed treatments, we should also be actively trying to bring the lawn back to full health, which simply involves following good lawn care practices.
A strong healthy Buffalo lawn will naturally fight off many weed types on its own.
We began by fertilising the turf. Be sure to follow-up fertilising every 2 months, using a good quality lawn fertiliser with trace elements.
Turfmaxx 19-1-16 +3Fe 20kg is an economical granular lawn Fertiliser suitable for use on Buffalo grasses. It can be applied either by hand, or with a hand or push spreader for effective even coverage.
Mow the lawn regularly, as this promotes green leaf growth, and removes many seeds from many weed types before they have an opportunity to reinfect our lawns.
Check watering, that the lawn is receiving enough water, as well as not too much. Aim to water the lawn deeply and less often.
An application of Wetting Agents will also help the lawn soil distribute water throughout its profile far more effectively.
Finally, check and rectify any other factors which may be leading to poor Buffalo lawn health. Reduce cars or other foot traffic to the turf if necessary, remove excess shade, and check and rectify water logging or other issues.
Your Buffalo lawn will then soon be back to full health and naturally fighting-off weeds all on its own.
If you want more info, check out our Lawn Care Advice articles and guides to ensure your Buffalo Lawn is in peak health year-round.
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