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Located in Melbourne. Laid this Sir Walter Buffalo turf from Bunnings back around mid-end of Sept. Didn’t seem to take particularly well like the other slabs I’ve laid in the past, but some parts are starting to thrive. Sun moves from right to left in these pics. It gets a bit of sun, but probably not as much as it would like (or as much as the rest of the lawn gets).
Used Scott’s lawn soil to prepare the surface and have done a couple of aerations.
Do I remove all the dead patches to let the established stuff spread out? Or just leave it be and it will sort itself out over time?
Went out yesterday and stabbed it a bunch of times with a pitchfork to aerate it. A lot (if not all) of the dead patches lifted up in their original turf slab cuts.
To me, I feel like I should just rip that stuff up, fill with nice soil and let the established stuff spread across. Or do I rip it up then buy another slab or two to cut out and patch the areas?
Hello @DaveTorr
Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us and thanks for sharing your question about buffalo lawn patch.
Your Sir Walter Buffalo turf looks like it’s facing some challenges, but with the right care, you can bring it back to its best. It’s a resilient grass variety, so you have a few options depending on how quickly you want results. From the photos and your description, it seems like the dead patches may not have rooted properly, especially since they lifted easily during aeration. If they haven’t established, removing them is a good idea.
Carefully lift those sections and replace them with fresh soil, such as Richgro Lawn Top Dress Mix from the store, which will provide a nutrient-rich base. This will give the healthy areas the best chance to spread naturally over time. Sir Walter Buffalo is excellent at self-repair and will gradually fill in bare spots if it’s in the right conditions.
If you’d like faster results, you could purchase another roll or two of Sir Walter Buffalo turf from the store, cut it to size, and patch the bare areas. Before laying, ensure the patches are firmly in contact with the soil beneath, and water them consistently to encourage rooting. Either way, keep the area well-aerated, as you’ve already done, and ensure the turf gets as much sunlight as possible, even if it’s not optimal.
For ongoing care, use a slow-release lawn fertilizer like Scotts Lawn Builder Buffalo Slow Release to promote healthy growth and root establishment. Regular but deep watering will also help the turf thrive, especially during the warmer months. With this approach, your lawn should recover beautifully, and those bare patches will soon be a thing of the past.
If you need further assistance, please let us know.
Eric
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