Buffalo Grass Weed Killing Program

1. Fertilise the lawn first

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.

2. Kill majority of weeds first

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.

3. Second application of a Broadleaf Herbicide

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.

More difficult 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 500mL

Indigo Halo Force Herbicide 25gm

Bow and Arrow Herbicide

Indigo Duke 100WG 100gm

The 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.

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.