Understanding the grass itself
The Benefits of Soft Leaf Buffalo Grass Explained
Soft leaf buffalo grass is a lawn grass with broad, soft blades that are gentle on bare feet, kids and pets. It offers a lawn that feels gentle on skin while staying tough enough for everyday family use, and it copes with part shade better than most turf types. That combination is why so many homeowners shortlist it.
Its slower growth compared with couch or Kikuyu means less mowing, and it handles everyday family use and dry summers once established. We grow two varieties, Sir Walter and Matilda, each with its own character, and we cut them to order on our farm so the grass you receive is fresh.
In short: Arrow Turf is a family-owned grower with more than 45 years on the Hawkesbury, producing Sir Walter and Matilda soft leaf buffalo grass for lawns across Greater Sydney. The cost of a new lawn depends on area, variety, delivery and installation, and we usually have fresh-cut turf ready within a day or two.
Our Turf Varieties
Soft Leaf Buffalo Versus Our Other Grasses
With its finer and thinner stems and stolons and amazingly soft feel underfoot yet exceptional tolerance to wear and tear, this proudly Australian-bred turf is perfect for all types of lawns and landscapes.
With its luxuriously soft feel and vibrant beauty yet super low maintenance requirements, this buffalo grass works best for homes with families, children, and pets who want to play and relax on the lawn all year round.
With its hard-wearing and easy-to-care-for medium texture yet still soft enough for sitting, Kikuyu is perfect for schools, parks, playing fields, and running oval surrounds. This grass variety will also work for yards.
With its thick mat and fine blade yet soft feel underfoot, this couch grass is used in Australia and the world’s top sports stadiums and golf courses. This grass variety can also be used for residential and commercial lawns and landscapes.
With its soft feel and fine texture, this darker green, premium couch grass is perfect for golf and bowling greens as well as front and backyards. This grass variety is also great for commercial landscapes as well as sports fields.
Is Buffalo Right for You
Who Gets the Most From Soft Leaf Buffalo Grass
Soft leaf buffalo grass suits people who want a comfortable lawn without a demanding maintenance routine. It is ideal for family backyards, front lawns that need to look tidy and yards where part of the grass sits in shade. Choosing the right grass matters because it shapes how much time you spend mowing, how the lawn feels and whether it stays covered in tricky spots. Get it right, and the lawn becomes far easier to live with. Get it wrong, and you may be fighting bare patches, scratchy blades or constant mowing for years.
We help you understand the differences before you buy. Sir Walter and Matilda share the soft, non-scratch leaf, but Matilda is Australian-bred with finer stems, giving it a slightly different look and feel. Once you have chosen, we cut fresh turf to order and offer pickup, delivery or installation. For a broader view, read about each of our turf varieties.
Buffalo Grass Characteristics
Soft Leaf Buffalo Grass Characteristics and Traits
- Soft, non-scratch leaf: broad, soft blades that are gentle on bare feet, kids and pets.
- Choice of varieties: Sir Walter and Matilda soft leaf buffalo, matched to your yard.
- Shade tolerance: soft leaf buffalo copes with part shade better than most other turf types.
- Wear and drought: tough enough for everyday family use and dry Sydney summers.
- Low maintenance: slower growth than couch or Kikuyu means less frequent mowing.
- Fresh from our farm: every roll is cut to order on our Hawkesbury farm.
Where It Excels
Shade, Comfort and Slow Growth: Lawn Situations Soft Leaf Buffalo Grass Suits
Every grass has strengths and weaknesses, and soft leaf buffalo shines in a few situations where other lawns tend to disappoint. Here are three of the clearest examples.
Yards with partial shade. Trees, fences and neighbouring houses steal sunlight from many lawns, leaving thin, struggling patches behind that never quite fill in. Soft leaf buffalo grass copes with part shade better than most turf types, so it holds its coverage in areas where sun-loving grasses thin out.
Lawns used barefoot. If your family spends time sitting, lying and playing on the grass, comfort matters. The broad, soft leaf is non-scratch, making it pleasant for kids, adults and pets alike, whether they are playing, picnicking or simply relaxing.
Owners who dislike frequent mowing. Soft leaf buffalo grows more slowly than couch or Kikuyu, which spreads out mowing and edging. That slower pace is one of its most appreciated traits, especially for people with busy weekends.
Lawn Cost Factors
How Much Does Soft Leaf Buffalo Grass Cost?
The price of a soft leaf buffalo grass lawn reflects the area you need, which variety you pick and how the turf is delivered or laid. Preparation work such as removing old grass, levelling and adding underlay also factors in. The table below sets out each driver so you can plan ahead.
| Price driver | How it affects your cost |
|---|---|
| Variety | Soft leaf buffalo sits in our premium price range per m². |
| Lawn area | Turf is priced per square metre, and larger orders can attract better rates. |
| Pickup, delivery or installation | Collecting from our farm avoids a delivery charge; delivery and laying are quoted on top. |
| Extras | Turf underlay, lawn starter fertiliser or water crystals add to the total. |
Ready to compare options for your yard? Contact our team for a free, obligation-free quote on soft leaf buffalo grass.
Growing Soft Leaf Buffalo
How Our Soft Leaf Buffalo Grass Is Grown and Harvested
Our soft leaf buffalo grass grows on the Hawkesbury River flats at 104 Cornwallis Road, Cornwallis, near Windsor and Richmond. The family has tended these paddocks for more than 45 years, and we harvest only once an order is confirmed, so each roll is cut close to the day it is laid. That freshness helps the grass root quickly once it is down.
From the farm we supply homes, landscapers, builders, schools and councils across Greater Sydney and the wider Hawkesbury. Customers can collect from Cornwallis with loading help, or we deliver six days a week on forklift trucks that place the pallets and take them away.
How We Help You Choose and Supply Buffalo Grass
Choosing a grass is easier with guidance from the people who grow it. These four steps show how we take you from your first questions about the grass to a freshly laid, well-watered lawn.
1. Measure your lawn: work out the square metres you need, or send us your measurements to double-check.
2. Choose how you receive it: collect from our farm, book delivery six days a week, or have our crew install it.
3. We cut it fresh: your turf is harvested to order and usually ready within a day or two.
4. Lay and water in: lay it on the day it arrives and water deeply for the first few weeks.
Drought, Daily Wear and Kerb Appeal: More Reasons Buffalo Grass Earns Its Place
Beyond shade and softness, soft leaf buffalo grass has a few other strengths worth knowing about before you choose a new lawn.
Buffalo through long dry summers. Once established, soft leaf buffalo is tough enough for dry Sydney summers. Deep, less frequent watering after the establishment period helps build resilient roots that carry the lawn through hot weather.
Everyday family wear. Kids’ games, pets and outdoor entertaining put a lawn through its paces. Soft leaf buffalo handles that everyday use while keeping its soft feel.
A front lawn that looks cared for. Its broad leaf and even growth give a tidy appearance with modest effort, which helps a home present well from the street and makes the garden feel cared for.
Picking between two good varieties. Sir Walter and Matilda both deliver the core benefits. Matilda’s finer stems give a slightly different finish, and our team can explain which suits your taste and site.
Frequently Asked Questions About Soft Leaf Buffalo Grass
What is soft leaf buffalo grass?
Soft leaf buffalo grass is a type of buffalo with broad, soft blades that are gentle on bare feet, kids and pets. It copes with part shade better than most turf types, grows more slowly than couch or Kikuyu and handles everyday family use, making it a popular lawn choice.
What ground preparation does soft leaf buffalo grass need?
Remove the old lawn and weeds, level the site and spread an 80/20 turf underlay roughly 100 to 150 mm deep. Lay the turf the day it arrives and water it in well. If you prefer, our crews can handle the preparation and laying for you.
Which buffalo varieties are grown on your farm?
We grow Sir Walter and Matilda. Both share the soft leaf and shade tolerance, while Matilda is Australian-bred with finer stems. Our team can help you compare the two and decide which works best for your yard.
Does soft leaf buffalo grass need a lot of water?
New turf needs deep watering once or twice a day for about the first three weeks. Once established, soft leaf buffalo is tough enough for dry summers and can be watered less often, ideally deeply rather than with frequent light sprinkles.
How does soft leaf buffalo compare with Kikuyu?
Kikuyu is hard-wearing, fast-repairing, budget-friendly and loves full sun, but it grows quickly and needs frequent mowing. Soft leaf buffalo grows more slowly, handles part shade better and feels softer, so it suits yards where comfort and low upkeep matter most.
When should I first mow soft leaf buffalo grass?
Give new soft leaf buffalo grass two to three weeks to root before the first mow, and set the mower on a high setting. Because the grass grows more slowly than couch or Kikuyu, you can then settle into a relaxed mowing routine instead of cutting every few days.
Can soft leaf buffalo grass handle pets and kids?
Yes. It is tough enough for everyday family use, and the soft leaf makes it comfortable for children and pets. Like any lawn, very heavy wear in one spot may need time to recover, but soft leaf buffalo grass copes well with typical backyard life.
Where can I read more about each buffalo variety?
Visit our Sir Walter soft leaf buffalo page and our Matilda soft leaf buffalo page for detailed information on each variety, or call 0490 779 707 to talk through your yard, your light levels and how you use the lawn with our team.
