Share
Hope everyone is doing well! As it’s getting colder in Sydney, I’ve noticed areas of my buffalo lawn begin to yellow and it’s spreading.
should I be worry? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks zach
Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @zwk033. It's terrific to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about a yellowing lawn.
It looks like you’re seeing some typical signs of stress in your buffalo lawn, and you're right to want to investigate. While armyworm or lawn grub could be the cause, those usually create more clearly defined patches. You can test for them by mixing a squirt of dishwashing detergent in 2L of water and pouring it over a section where green grass meets yellowing grass. If armyworms are present, they’ll rise to the surface within about five minutes. They look like small caterpillars and can be green, brown or striped. If you do spot any, it’s best to treat the area immediately with a lawn grub and beetle killer.
If no pests show up, there could be other factors at play. As the weather cools, buffalo grass can naturally yellow due to cold stress, especially in shaded or frost-prone areas. Compacted soil might also be an issue, as it can block water and nutrients from reaching the roots. In that case, aerating the soil could help. Lastly, a lack of nutrients—particularly nitrogen—can lead to yellowing. A good slow-release fertiliser may help restore your lawn’s colour and vigour.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Mitchell
