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Australian Owned
Buffalo Lawn Seed Blend
McKays Buffalo Blend features one of the few drought-tolerant North American Buffalo grasses suitable for lawn use in Australia. As a warm-season grass, it thrives in warmer climates and develops a fine, medium-dark green leaf once established. This blend combines Buffalo grass with Perennial Ryegrass, offering good shade, drought, and frost tolerance. Highly durable, Buffalo grass can self-repair from heavy use.
While Buffalo lawns remain dormant in winter and brown off with frost, the Perennial Ryegrass in this mix provides winter protection and maintains a green lawn. The Buffalo Blend is an affordable option for establishing a lush Buffalo lawn from scratch.
Seeding Rates
New Lawns: 30 grams per square meter (3kg/100m2).
Overseeding: 20 grams per square meter (2kg/100m2).
WA customers: Click here to order from our WA website. No additional quarantine fees apply when ordering from the WA website.
For more information see below tabs ‘Description’ and ‘Features’ to see if this grass suits you!
Blade
Medium-Fine
Colour
Medium
Growth
Runner
Growth Rate
Medium-Fast
Detailed Description
McKays Buffalo Blend contains one of the very few drought-tolerant North American Buffalo grasses suitable for lawn use in Australia. Unlike the broadleaf turf varieties commonly known as “Buffalo” in Australia, this blend offers a fine, medium-dark green leaf. It combines Buffalo grass with Sports Turf Perennial Ryegrass and McKays Slow Release Fertiliser to provide a lush, low-maintenance lawn.
The blend thrives in warmer climates, remaining greenest during summer. While Buffalo grass goes dormant in winter, the Perennial Ryegrass maintains a green lawn, providing protection during dormancy. Highly durable, Buffalo grass can self-repair from heavy use, but it is less suitable for high traffic when dormant.
Sowing Tips
Prefers full sun and clay soil but will grow in sandy loam. Well-drained soil is required. Ensure at least 6-8 hours of sunlight per day. Broadcast the seed at or very near the soil surface and incorporate lightly with raking. Use an appropriate seed spreader for even coverage. Maintain damp soil throughout the germination period and ensure adequate water supply until fully established.
Optimal pH
Between 5.0-7.8
Optimal Planting Time
Recommended to sow in Spring and Autumn, climate dependent. In cooler areas like Victoria, plant around October/November when temperatures consistently exceed 25°C.
Germination
Approximately 28 days, climate and condition dependent.
Water
Keep the seed damp throughout germination. Once mature, it can survive on as little as 8cm of rainfall per month.
Fertilising
Will benefit from infrequent fertilising to produce optimal performance and a deep green color, though not essential.
First Mowing
Mow once roots are established, approximately 6-8 weeks post-germination.
Mowing Frequency
The Buffalo Blend requires low mowing. For a “naturalized” lawn, mow infrequently to create a rugged “meadow” appearance.
Mowing Tips
- Remove no more than 1/3 of the leaf per mow.
- The lower you mow it, the more often you need to mow.
- In shady areas, increase the mowing height.
- Mowing is the best form of weed control.
Disadvantages of Buffalo Blend
- Will go dormant with the first frost and brown off; color returns after soil warms for 2 weeks.
- Not suitable for lawns with low snowfall and high winter foot traffic.
- Less suitable for high traffic with kids and dogs, especially when dormant.
- Takes time to establish from seed, may require overseeding and patience.
- Does not blend well with turf-type Buffalo grasses due to different leaf shapes.
Seed & Package Details
50% Buffalo (Bouteloua dactyloides), 40% Sports Turf Perennial Ryegrass, 10% Slow Release Fertiliser.
Independently Tested
85% Min Germination, 98% purity. A seed testing certificate is available upon request.
Ideal Usage
Lawns, Commercial Landscapes, Parks, Playgrounds, Golf Course Roughs.
Have any questions? Feel free to contact us and we’ll help you out.
Locations
Season
Warm season grasses thrive during the warmer months in Spring and Summer and may go dormant in cooler climates through winter.
Cool season grasses thrive during the cooler months in Winter
Seed information
Shade tolerance (Weather)
- Full Sun
- Part Shade
- Heavy Shade
- Full Shade
Drought tolerance (Weather)
- Moderate
- Good
- Excellent
Traffic tolerance (Weather)
- Moderate
- Good
- Excellent
Frost tolerance
- Poor
- Moderate
- Good
- Excellent
Average days to germination
- 2-3 Weeks
- 2-4 Weeks
- 3-4 Weeks
Free Metro Shipping On All Orders Over $75
We provide free standard delivery shipping for all orders to "metro" zones, where the total cart value exceeds $75.00.
Otherwise, to metro zones it's a flat rate of $9 (for orders under $75).
Non-Metro Zones
Standard Delivery
Australia Wide (except Western Australia), at cost from Australia Post.
Orders are dispatched within 24 hours via regular Australia Post (3-5 business days).
Express Post
In a hurry? Express shipping is available at checkout for both Metro and Non-Metro Zones. Priced according to shipment weight.
WA Customers
Due to quarantine restrictions, we have a different product range available for Western Australia.
If you are shopping for delivery to WA, please view our WA site here
Pick-up Not Available
Sorry, we are not able to offer local pick-up.
International
Unfortunately we are not able to ship internationally.
A year on it fizzled out down the side of the yard and the clover over took (so it's still at least green) in the backyard half the yard looks amazing and half seems like a completely different variety of grass. Waiting for it to come back in stock so I can regrade the yard and then reseed in some of the patchy areas hoping it fixes up the odd bit of the yard that looks like a different grass. (The pic with the dogs is where it's patchy and closer to the back fence looks like different grass. The corner of the yard is where it's lush and epic, hoping this is where the whole yard will get to. )
Seeded some of the yard down the side of the house has grown in patchy so well need reseeding. Having the same experience in the back yard. Happy with the look and feel. Follow up service by the team has been amazing and the resources on the site really helped narrow down what grass seed to actually pick.
I love the seed germination of this variety. It took only 1 week to have a sprout. It is amazing and we hope to see the green field in two week time.
Great friendly service. Above and beyond.
Haven’t planted yet, will let you know once it’s done.
A query if I may, you mention planting the seeds in rows, north/south then east/west, what size spacing for the rows and do you mean trickling the seed just in a line or broadcasting it? Trust this makes sense. Cheers. Miles
Look good waiting for rain
Fantastic service and electronic updates from first contact with McKay's, just planted seeds today and it is raining, yeah, my only suggestion is that the package indicate how long the seeds are viable eg suggest a plant by date.