Turf Wars: Sir Grange Zoysia vs Sir Walter Buffalo vs Artificial Grass

Corey Fox Lanscaping
Jul 14
12 min read

When it comes to lawns, we get asked the same question time and time again: “What’s the best turf for my yard?” And the answer? It depends on how you live outdoors.

Corey Fox Landscaping crew laying Sir Grange Zoysia Turf — Laying Sir Grange Zoysia

At Corey Fox Landscaping, there are three turf varieties we regularly use across our projects — Sir Grange Zoysia, Sir Walter Buffalo, and artificial turf. Each option has its own strengths, quirks, and ideal use cases. Whether you're looking for a soft lawn for the kids, a tough patch for your dog, a design-forward feature, or a no-fuss, evergreen solution, your choice of turf plays a big role in how your outdoor space looks, feels, and functions.

Sir Grange Zoysia grass with pool and umbrella and garden in the backaground — Sir Grange Zoysia - one of our favourites

Sir Grange and Sir Walter are both premium natural grasses that perform well in Sydney’s climate, but they suit different lifestyles and conditions. Artificial grass, on the other hand, offers year-round green with virtually no maintenance — making it a smart option in the right setting.

In this turf face-off, we break down everything you need to know about Sir Grange Zoysia vs Sir Walter Buffalo vs Artificial Grass — from wear and tear to maintenance, water usage, pet suitability, and overall look and feel. If you're planning a new lawn as part of your landscaping project, this guide will help you make the right call for your home.

Sir Grange Zoysia

Looks like a luxury lawn, acts like a low-maintenance one — but it’s not without a few quirks.

Sir Grange Zoysia is a fine-bladed, deep green turf originally bred from Zoysia matrella and developed for high-end golf courses. It’s the kind of lawn that instantly gives your garden that high-end, polished look — and it doesn’t ask for too much in return once it’s settled in.

It’s slow-growing (so less mowing), incredibly drought-tolerant, and handles shady spots better than most. Plus, it’s soft and lush underfoot, making it feel as good as it looks. But — and this is important — it’s not completely hands-off. Like all grasses, Sir Grange has its own personality, and a few things to watch out for if you want to keep it thriving all year round.

One thing to be aware of is that Sir Grange can brown off during the cooler months, especially in Sydney’s winter. It goes into a dormant phase and loses some of its rich colour until things warm up again in spring. While the lawn stays healthy underneath, the visual change can be a surprise if you’re expecting year-round green.

If the winter browning bothers you and you’d prefer to keep a green look year-round, there are turf dye products available that can temporarily restore colour during dormancy. These green turf dyes are safe for lawns and give a surprisingly natural result — when applied correctly. That said, in our experience, it’s best to have this done by a professional, as uneven application or using the wrong product can leave your lawn looking patchy or artificial. It’s a great option for homeowners who want that lush, green appearance through winter without the wait for spring growth.

Sir Grange Scalping

scalped Sir Grange Lawn — Scalped Sir Grange Lawn

If you want to maintain that tight, clean-cut “golf course” look that Sir Grange is known for, you’ll need to scalp it back once a year, ideally in early spring as the weather starts to warm up. Scalping is the process of mowing the grass very low — almost down to the thatch layer — to remove the build-up of old, dead material and give the new season’s growth a clean slate to come through.

Sir Grange has a dense growth habit and produces a layer of thatch over time, which, if left untouched, can lead to a spongy feel underfoot, dull colour, and even reduced airflow and water penetration to the roots. Scalping removes this layer, allowing sunlight to hit the soil, encouraging fresh, healthy regrowth and bringing back that deep green colour it’s known for.

While it might look a bit rough for a week or two after scalping, don’t panic — Sir Grange is slow to grow vertically, but it recovers well when the timing and conditions are right. Follow up with a light fertiliser and some consistent watering, and within a few weeks, you’ll see a much healthier, more vibrant lawn that looks sharp, uniform, and manicured.

It’s not a difficult job, but it’s one of those tasks that can make a huge difference in the appearance of your lawn — especially if you’re going for that polished, premium finish. If you’re not confident doing it yourself, it’s well worth having a pro take care of it for you each year.

Green Sir Grange Zoysia grass in Corey Fox Landscaping Kirrawee Project Sutherland Shire — Recovered Sir Grange Lawn

Sir Grange Pet Suitability

Labrador dog on green Sir Grange Zoysia grass — Sir Grange - no filter!

Sir Grange can be an okay option for pet owners — especially if you’ve got smaller dogs or pets that don’t use the lawn too heavily. Its dense growth can handle occasional zoomies and play without too much trouble, and it will slowly repair itself over time.

However, larger dogs, or multiple dogs using the same space frequently, can create issues. The combination of high foot traffic and regular urination can easily lead to patchy or dead spots, as Sir Grange isn’t as urine-resistant as tougher varieties like buffalo grass. The fine leaf blades and slower growth habit mean it takes longer to recover once damaged.

Dog urine, especially from larger breeds, can cause yellow or brown burns that are more noticeable on Sir Grange’s fine, dark green surface. If you’ve got a big dog or an energetic pup who tends to go in the same place every time, it’s worth hosing down those spots regularly and rotating their bathroom zones if possible.

In short: great for light pet use, but not the best match for heavy-duty dog lawns.

Wee Spot on green lawn — The dreaded wee spot on Sir Grange

General Maintenance

Outside of that yearly scalping, Sir Grange is actually pretty low effort. Because it grows slowly, you won’t need to mow as often — generally every 3 to 4 weeks in the warmer months, and even less in winter. Just be sure not to let it grow too long. If the blades get too tall, they can fold over on themselves and smother the grass underneath, leading to dead patches that take time to recover.

Aim to mow it at a height of around 20–30mm, and always use sharp blades to get a clean cut. Avoid removing more than one-third of the leaf at a time to prevent stress. If you keep on top of it, you’ll have a dense, healthy lawn that holds its colour longer and resists weeds.

✅ Pros

Visually stunning with fine blades and dark green colour.
Low mowing frequency thanks to its slower vertical growth.
Shade tolerant, surviving with as little as 3 hours of sunlight per day.
Excellent drought resistance once roots are established.
Soft and comfortable underfoot.
Self-repairing, growing laterally to fill in gaps.
Weed-resistant, thanks to its dense mat-like coverage.

❌ Cons

Browns off in winter, especially in cooler Sydney suburbs or shaded yards. It remains dormant until warmer weather returns.
Requires annual scalping if you want that “golf course” finish — this removes built-up thatch and rejuvenates growth.
Not suitable for long growth cycles — if you delay mowing, the grass folds over itself, smothering the lower blades. This creates dead patches and leads to a patchy, uneven lawn.
Slower to establish than other turf types — you’ll need patience in the early stages.
Premium price point, making it one of the more expensive options upfront.
Not ideal for very high-traffic areas like active play zones or large dogs.

🌤 Ideal Conditions

Part sun to full sun locations.
Homes with a formal garden layout or minimalist design.
Perfect for homeowners who want a lawn that looks like it belongs on a putting green — and are willing to maintain it accordingly.

Sir Walter Buffalo

If Sir Grange Zoysia is the sleek, high-end sports car of lawns, Sir Walter Buffalo is the reliable 4WD — it might not have the same fine-leaf polish, but it’s tough, practical, and ready for whatever life throws at it.

Sir Walter DNA Certified Buffalo is one of the most popular turf choices in Australia, and for good reason.

It’s a broadleaf, soft-underfoot buffalo grass that’s designed to thrive in a range of Aussie conditions — especially in Sydney, where shade, pets, and patchy wear are all part of daily backyard life.

Sir Walter buffalo on Barden Ridge Sutherland Shire project Corey Fox Landscaping — Sir Walter Buffalo - hard wearing and still looks great

It’s known for being low-allergenic, shade-tolerant, and exceptionally hard-wearing. While it may not deliver the same pristine, manicured finish as Sir Grange, it more than makes up for it in resilience, fast recovery, and practicality for family life.

Great for families, pets, and everyday use

If you’ve got kids, dogs, or a backyard that gets a lot of love (read: wear and tear), Sir Walter is generally the better choice over Sir Grange. Its thicker blades and faster growth mean it stands up better to foot traffic and recovers faster from minor damage.

Where Sir Grange tends to sulk and take its time when recovering, Sir Walter bounces back more quickly, making it ideal for spaces that get used regularly — from backyard cricket to daily dog zoomies.

It's also more tolerant of dog urine than Sir Grange. While no turf is completely immune to urine burn, Sir Walter tends to show fewer yellow spots and repairs faster when damage does occur. If you've got a big dog, a puppy in training, or multiple pets sharing the lawn, this is likely the better fit.

Sir Walter Buffalo grass with pool and pergola Corey Fox Landscaping Sutherland Shire — Sir Walter Buffalo

Grows faster, repairs faster

Sir Walter grows faster than Sir Grange, both vertically and laterally. That means more mowing — typically every 2–3 weeks in summer — but it also means quicker recovery from wear, damage, or seasonal stress. You’ll spend more time on upkeep, but less time dealing with patchy or uneven areas.

Sir Walter Grass needs repair — Recovering Sir Walter in winter

Unlike Sir Grange, Sir Walter doesn't need an annual scalp. It does benefit from occasional dethatching or aerating every year or two, but it's more forgiving if you fall behind on maintenance. Fertilising in spring and autumn helps keep it green, thick, and resilient year-round.

Winter colour holds up better

While no warm-season grass is completely immune to winter browning, Sir Walter tends to hold its green colour longer than Sir Grange in Sydney's cooler months. It may lose a bit of vibrancy in deep winter, especially in shaded areas, but it generally avoids the full “browned off” dormancy that’s more common in Zoysia varieties.

If year-round colour is a priority for you — especially in visible areas like front lawns — Sir Walter may have the edge here.

Maintenance & mowing

Sir Walter isn’t high-maintenance, but it does grow faster than Sir Grange, so you’ll need to mow more regularly — especially in the warmer months. Aim to mow every 2–3 weeks in spring and summer, and every 4–5 weeks in cooler seasons. Keep the mower height between 30–50mm, depending on sun exposure and the look you're going for.

It also benefits from twice-yearly fertilising and an occasional dethatch if it starts to feel too spongy. But overall, it's an easy-going turf that won’t punish you if you miss a mow or let it go a little wild now and then.