Palmetto

Soft Leaf Buffalo

Surface Preparation
1. Remove all building waste and weeds.
2. Spread a free draining soil to a depth of 7-15cm(roots can penetrate much deeper) or loosen ground and mix in appropriate soil conditioners. For sandy soils, simply mix in organic material with a rotary hoe.
3. Level the surface using a screeding board, lawn leveller or similar device.
4. Apply a low analysis fertiliser with an N:P:K of approximately 5:6:5 or lawn starter fertiliser to the surface and incorporate with a rake.
5. In hot months, moisten the soil but do not make the soil too wet. Do not lay turf on hot, dry soil.
6. Lay turf as soon as possible after delivery.
7. On hot days, lay a section of turf and lightly water. Repeat until all turf is laid. On cool days, turf can be laid all at once. Roll and water thoroughly within one hour of laying.
8. Water thoroughly for 7-10 days or until turf is established taking care to ensure that the water is saturating the soil beneath the turf. In hot weather numerous waterings per day may be required. In times of water restrictions top dressing immediately after installation will allow it to be established with one water per day. In colder months the turf will take longer to establish. The turf should not dry out until the roots are established.
9. When the soil has firmed and the Palmetto has rooted down, usually 2-3 weeks after laying(longer during Winter), mow lightly to tidy up the lawn.

Palmetto Soft Leaf Buffalo is ideally suited for home lawns, including those surrounding rivers, lakes and saltwater.

Mowing
1. Mow every 7-10 days in the hot months, mow every 3-6 weeks in the cold months.
2. Mowing height will vary: 2-5cm in sunny lightly shaded situations, 5-7cm in heavier shaded situations.

Palmetto only requires 2-4 hrs of direct sunlight a day, it has excellent shade tolerance.

Palmetto is easy to look after it will not over grow garden beds and keeps a perfect edge, as it spreads across the surface.

Watering
1. Water thoroughly and regularly after Palmetto has been laid, to encourage a deep and vigorous root system (turf will be able to fossick for water and therefore be more able to withstand hot, dry conditions).
2. Once the root system has fully established, water thoroughly only when needed- when a slight wilting is visible, usually once every 7-10 days in Summer (on sandy soils more often), with much less or no watering in the cooler months.
3. Remember that infrequent, deep watering promotes a healthy lawn.
4. Over watering encourages excessive growth, disease and root rot.
5. It is best to water in the early morning; night watering is not recommended.

Palmetto is hard wearing and is perfect for roadside use.

Fertilising
1. Lawns need to be fed to remain healthy and strong.
2. Use a complete fertilser in early April and early September.
3. At all other times of the year use a slow release fertilser. If you need a quick green up, use a fertiliser high in nitrogen to promote a lush green lawn- e.g. Supergreen or organic based slow release fertilsers. In the heat of Summer avoid over fertilising or using manure based products.

Pests, Weeds and Diseases
Palmetto is resistant to pests, weeds and fungi compared to most other turf varieties, but as with any natural product, occasional problems can occur. If these problems occur we recommend the following:
1. Pests- watch for the Lawn Grub( e.g. Web Worm or Army Worm and the African Black Beetle- apply suitable pesticides according to directions.
2. Fungi- watch for Brown Patch and Grey Leaf Spot- apply systemic fungicide.
3. Weeds- if weeds infest, hand eradicate before seed head develops or apply a suitable weedicide(ask your local garden centre).

For the home lawn Palmetto soft leaf Buffalo is one of the most low maintenance and best looking turf varieties available. Palmetto requires less mowing and watering than other lawns.

Due to Palmetto's impressive drought tolerance, low maintenance and great Winter colour, it is often used on commercial areas such as roadsides, factories, parks, etc.
For the home lawn Palmetto is the efficient water user. Palmetto is one of the most drought tolerant grasses available. By this we mean that it holds its green colour longer in dry periods, generally other varieties brown of quicker under reduced water. Palmetto stays greener, longer under drought stress due to its deep, massive root system.

Palmetto has outstanding emerald green colour that is a true eye catcher. It performs well in full sun yet thrives in shaded areas where other grasses fail. Palmetto Soft Leaf Buffalo will survive better than the majority of others grasses in shaded conditions. Palmetto is cold hardy, frost tolerant Buffalo. It generally holds its colour than most other warm season turf varieties including Kikuyu, Couch and other buffalo varieties, and will remain evergreen in most areas of Australia. Palmetto recovers quickly from minor scalping and damage caused by traffic as it sends its runners out to repair exposed areas.

NB: sprays containing DICAMBA must never be applied to soft leaf buffalo.

Palmetto Soft Leaf Buffalo thrives across Australia from Sydney to Perth, Cairns to Canberra, Melbourne to Adelaide, under a wide range of climatic and soil conditions making it the ideal choice for residential and commercial use.

Greenleas Park Couch

Shademaster Buffalo

Phone: 1800 045 543
Or 02 4577 5352

Abulk Turf Contact details:
Address: 380 Cornwallis Rd, Windsor NSW 2756
Phone: 02 4577 5352
Fax: 02 4577 3773
Email: turf@abulk.com.au
ABN: 89 112 661 855