Lawn Facts
Sapphire Buffalo can be regarded as a genuine soft leaf Buffalo grass lawn. It performs well in all aspects which signify buffalo turf quality, including shade tolerance, good winter colour, and having a healthy deep root system which greatly aids in drought tolerance (withstanding drought).
The characteristics continue for which Sapphire buffalo are most well known for including the ever slightest blue hue to its leaf colour, a fine leaf blade - which is finer than all other buffalo grasses, excellent shade tolerance, excellent sun tolerance, and low thatch and seeding levels.
The main negatives for Sapphire buffalo grass are a lower drought recovery rating (recovery after drought ends), and a lower wear and tear tolerance. Sapphire is a low thatch lawn. Low thatch lawns can be slower to recover from wear for the first two years of a lawn, but can be quicker to recover from drought or wear than a high thatch lawn that is two years old. Low thatch lawns have long term benefits.
For an overall rating for quality - Sapphire is an excellent choice for anyone seeking a new soft leaf buffalo lawn for their homes.
Sapphire Buffalo Shade Tolerance
Many homeowners may consider a Sapphire lawn for heaviest shade conditions, as it is well known that Sapphire has the highest shade rating of the better buffalo grasses being sold today. Which is the same reason I chose Sapphire for my own highly shaded lawn.
However, be aware that all lawns, including Sapphire, require some direct sunlight every day in order to survive. There is no such thing as a "no-sunlight" lawn.
Softness Of Sapphire Buffalo
Sapphire is a true soft leaf Buffalo lawn type. Sapphire was professionally photographed at Microscopic detail to study and compare it's softness to other Buffalo lawn types, and clearly came out as one of the softest Buffaloes available. Sir Walter, Palmetto and Matilda also passed these same softness tests.
How To Kill Weeds In Sapphire Buffalo
All Buffalo grasses have long been known to react badly to broadleaf weed killers, often browning the lawn or even killing it in places.
The cause of this damage has been due to the most common chemical used in weed killers which has been Dicamba. So always avoid buying any weed killer for use on any Buffalo grass if it contains this chemical.
Yates Lush and Yates Buffalo Pro are perfect for weed control on all Buffalo lawns.
These days there are many new choices of weed killers which are safe for use on Buffalo lawns, including for your Sapphire soft leaf Buffalo, and these weed killers will have either Bromoxynil or MCPA as their active ingredient.
As with all Buffalo lawns, if you have any trouble removing weed types other than the Broadleaf weed types in your Sapphire lawn, then a specialised and licensed weed spraying contractor may be the best option, as they have both experience and access to weed control chemicals which the homeowner cannot buy.
Mowing Sapphire Soft Buffalo
The best lawn results will be gained when mowing Sapphire at a height of between 35 and 60 mm. Like all grasses, mowing regularity is very important as it greatly aids in controlling thatch build up, reduces spreading of runners into garden beds and promotes a healthy greener lawn as the lawn mowing promotes more green leaf growth.
Sapphire Soft Leaf Buffalo Lawn
Kikuyu Lawn
Characteristics of Kikuyu Grass
It is inexpensive to purchase, is quick to propagate into new lawns, requires minimal lawn care to remain healthy, and grows and repairs quickly. In fact, Kikuyu has always been the number one choice for any lawn areas which are expected to be under heavy wear and tear conditions throughout its life, as this grass repairs itself quicker than almost any other grass.
Kikuyu lawn is widely used as the first choice for many community recreation areas and schools in many states, the reasons for this choice are the same as listed in the attributes just mentioned, with the primary reason for this lawn choice in these heavy use public areas - is Kikuyu’s quick repair capabilities, as required by these heavy duty usage areas.
Kikuyu Lawns For The Home
Just as Kikuyu is used for very high traffic and usage areas in the community due to its fast repair capabilities, this is also the same main reason that many homeowners also choose a Kikuyu lawn.
Having busy kids playing cricket or slip and slide in the summer in the backyard, or active dogs which run amok 7 days a week, nothing will beat Kikuyu for how it can repair itself from damage at the fastest speed. Indeed, Kikuyu can keep up with the busiest of backyards.
Other people will also like Kikuyu for its soft leaf, which also makes for an overall soft lawn, or for its bright green colour. Which when cared for properly, and mowed properly and regularly, can make for a beautiful lawn.
Negatives of Kikuyu
Just like all grasses, Kikuyu too does have its negative sides which need to be taken into account as well.
Just as this grass is very quick to repair, this is due to the fast growing nature of Kikuyu, this will also mean more lawn mowing than for some other grass types that are available as home lawns. However, if you do find your Kikuyu lawn growing too fast for your liking, then reducing watering and fertilising a little - will also help to reduce this same growth rate.
Common Kikuyu is also easily spread into other surrounding lawns, and into native vegetation by its fine seed heads, which is never a good thing for either environment. And its for this reason, that as homeowners, if we are to plant a Kikuyu lawn, then it’s always wise to choose a Male Sterile Kikuyu which is far less likely to produce viable seeds heads, and which in turn makes these lawns far less likely to establish into any area where it is not intended.