Couch turf and buffalo grass are two popular warm-season grass varieties in Australia, each with its own unique characteristics and advantages. However, which one is best for your garden?
This guide breaks down these two types of grasses and helps guide your decision on which is best for your garden in Australia.
What is couch turf?
Couch turf is a type of warm-season grass known for its dense, fine leaves and ability to tolerate a wide range of temperatures, making it suitable for use in many climates. The turf is also known for its durability and wear and tear resistance, making it ideal if your lawn is susceptible to high-traffic areas such as having kids running around.
What I particularly enjoy about couch turf is its low maintenance requirements. As a fast-growing grass that requires less water and fertiliser than other varieties, couch turf can grow easily and quickly recover from damage. This makes it an attractive option for homeowners and sports field managers who want a beautiful and functional lawn without spending a lot of time and money on maintenance.
What is buffalo grass?
If you’re seeking a lush, low-maintenance lawn that can thrive in Australia’s hot and dry conditions, buffalo grass is an excellent choice. This warm-season grass variety boasts a soft, dense texture that can tolerate heavy foot traffic and resist damage from pests and diseases.
One of the key advantages of buffalo grass is its deep root system, which enables it to draw water and nutrients from the soil and reduces the need for frequent watering and fertilisation. Moreover, the variety’s ability to adapt to various soil types and climates makes it a popular choice for homeowners and landscapers across Australia.
Wintergreen couch vs Sir Walter buffalo: what’s best?
1. Watering
Wintergreen couch requires more frequent watering than Sir Walter buffalo due to its shallow root system. Consequently, it needs to be watered at least twice a week.
At the same time, Sir Walter buffalo can go for longer periods without water, making it more suitable for the Australian climate and your garden. This is because Sir Walter buffalo has a deeper root system that can reach water and nutrients from the soil, reducing your need for frequent watering.
2. Weed Resistance
Wintergreen couch is known to be more prone to weed infestations than Sir Walter buffalo. This is because Wintergreen couch is a finer-textured grass that is more susceptible to weed growth.
On the other hand, Sir Walter buffalo has a denser, coarser texture that helps prevent weed growth and requires less herbicide use. As a result, you can enjoy a fresher lawn that hasn’t been tampered with by herbicides.
3. Shade Tolerance
Wintergreen couch is a sun-loving grass requiring at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. Accordingly, this grass type is known to struggle in shaded areas and can become patchy if not exposed to enough sunlight. In contrast, Sir Walter buffalo has good shade tolerance and can thrive in areas with partial shade.
Consequently, if you have a shaded backyard, I definitely recommend going with the Sir Walter buffalo.
4. Wear Tolerance
As previously stated, wintergreen couch is a high-wear tolerance grass and is ideal for sports fields, parks, and other high-traffic areas. It has a dense growth habit and can withstand heavy foot traffic. Similarly, Sir Walter buffalo is also a tough and durable grass that can handle foot traffic and wear.
At the end of the day, both types are durable, but wintergreen couch would be the better option if you are looking for a more wear-tolerant grass.
5. Maintenance and mowing
When it comes to moving, Wintergreen couch requires more maintenance than Sir Walter buffalo. Wintergreen couch needs to be mowed regularly, at least once a week, to maintain its lush and dense appearance.
On the other hand, Sir Walter buffalo requires less maintenance and can be mowed less frequently. It also has a slower growth rate, which means less mowing and less overall maintenance.
What’s best for my backyard?
In conclusion, I personally think that Sir Walter buffalo is the better choice for most Australian lawn applications due to its deeper root system, weed resistance, shade tolerance, and lower maintenance requirements.
However, Wintergreen couch is a great option for high-traffic areas and sports fields where wear tolerance is crucial. Ultimately, the choice between these two varieties will depend on the specific needs of the lawn or landscaping project.
I would recommend Sir Walter buffalo if you’re just after backyard grass with minimal effort.
Can I mix buffalo with couch?
It is possible to mix buffalo grass with couch grass, but it may not be the best idea in my experience. Combining two different grass varieties can create an uneven appearance, and the different growth rates and textures of the two types of grass may make maintenance more difficult.
Additionally, couch grass has a shallow root system and requires more frequent watering and fertilisation than buffalo grass. Mixing the two could lead to uneven watering and nutrient distribution, which can negatively impact both grass types’ health and appearance.
If you want to establish a lawn or landscaping project with a mix of grass types, it may be best to consult a professional landscaper to determine the best options for your specific needs and location. It may be more beneficial to choose a single grass variety that can meet your requirements rather than trying to mix two different types.
