The Homeowner’s Guide to Buffalo, Couch, and Kikuyu: Which Grass Do You Have?
Achieving a flawless yard starts with knowing exactly what is growing under your feet. Here in the Hunter local region, residential properties generally feature one of three main turf varieties: Buffalo, Couch, or Kikuyu. While they might all look like a simple patch of green from a distance, identifying your specific variety is the ultimate secret weapon to proper garden care and maintenance. Treat them all the same, and you risk severely damaging your yard.
Buffalo
Buffalo grass is an absolute local favourite, especially for family homes. It is easily recognizable by its broad, wide blades and its thick, carpet-like texture. Buffalo is highly praised because it boasts excellent shade tolerance, meaning it can handle those tricky spots under large trees or beside fences. It thrives when kept a bit longer, usually requiring a slightly higher cut to protect its dense root system.
Couch
On the opposite end of the spectrum is Couch grass. Couch features very fine, needle-like leaves and establishes a incredibly tight knit. This variety absolutely loves full sun, handles heavy foot traffic beautifully, and prefers a much shorter, tighter mow. If you leave Couch grass too long, it quickly loses its vibrant colour and becomes patchy.
Kikuyu
Then there is Kikuyu—the rapid grower. Kikuyu is an incredibly resilient, aggressive grass that can survive almost anything. However, its fast-growing nature means it requires a strict, frequent mowing schedule to prevent its underground runners from invading your garden beds and choking out other plants.
