We've been growing a new buffalo.
It's got the broad leaf we love, it's greener than ever, and now it's ready for your place.
If you haven't heard, Stampede Hybrid Buffalo is ready for harvesting at GoTurf.
We've already laid it down on a few yards around Queensland, and it's going down like a treat.
But Stampede didn't appear overnight. It’s the result of years of trials, followed by years of growing, propagating and establishing the variety.
Without further ado, here's everything you need to know about Stampede Hybrid Buffalo.
The quick rundown on Stampede
Drought resistance: High
Shade tolerance: Over 75%
Wear: High
Maintenance: Very low
Leaf: Broad
How was Stampede developed?
Before we were growing it, there were six years of trials in Australia and the US.
One variety stood out: Stampede Hybrid Buffalo.
Lawn Solutions Australia selected Stampede for the Aussie market due to its ability to hold its appearance longer in the cooler months compared to traditional buffalo types, its disease tolerance, strong establishment, vigorous growth and excellent recovery.
The foundation farms in the Lawn Solutions Australia network then got their hands on it. A foundation farm is a specialised, secure growing site that maintains the original, genetically pure stock of a turf variety away from any contaminants.
We’re a foundation farm at GoTurf, and we got Stampede plugs in little pots and started establishing them. We then crawled along the ground with secateurs and buckets, cutting them into little sections and propagating them out further.
That process first grew the stock to around 1,000 square metres; the next time we got approximately 1,500 square metres. From there, those sections were grown into established turf, which was harvested and planted back out across roughly 50,000 square metres.
The entire journey, from those small sprigs to thousands of square metres of established turf, took around three years.
Now, Stampede Hybrid Buffalo is ready for homeowners.
So, why pick Stampede Hybrid Buffalo?
Colour that doesn't quit: Stampede stays a beautiful, vibrant green year-round.
Takes a beating and heals itself: Foot traffic, pets, kids - Stampede can handle it and recover quickly.
Holds strong through the cooler months: Stampede has improved winter performance and colour retention, helping it maintain its appearance when temperatures drop.
Strong disease performance: During trials, Stampede showed no signs of disease during the humid summer, while disease affected most other buffalo cultivars.
What does Stampede Buffalo look and feel like?
One of the first things you’ll notice about Stampede is its naturally dark green colour, and it holds well throughout the year even in the cooler months.
It has broad, soft leaves, a notably soft texture, and it produces runners that grow along the top of the soil rather than rhizomes that grow underneath it. It grows tight to the ground and forms a mat across the surface, creating a carpet-like growth habit.
Is Stampede Buffalo suitable for shade?
Stampede is a shade-tolerant buffalo grass, requiring as little as two hours of sunlight a day.
When we talk about shade tolerance, we're talking specifically about how well the turf performs in shaded environments. Stampede's broad leaves are designed to help the plant absorb sunlight in those lower-light areas.
So whether your lawn has full sun or areas of shade, Stampede can thrive at your place.
Is Stampede Buffalo good for families and pets?
Yes, in fact, Stampede is highly recommended for families and individuals with pets.
It's low-allergen and the soft leaf makes it comfortable for spending time on the lawn, whether that's lounging, rolling around, or the kids running about.
A real Stampede backyard transformation
Grey McNeil recently chose Stampede Hybrid Buffalo as part of a complete backyard transformation.
The existing backyard had a slope down to the footpath and road, meaning people could see into the yard and when you were in the yard, you could see and hear people outside.
Grey got to work and removed the whole backyard, installed a modular wall, brought in 37 cubic metres of dirt and spent a month levelling the yard before installing edges.
After hearing about the new Stampede Hybrid, Grey decided it was the right variety for the space. And the result?
“It looks fantastic & we are very pleased with it. Has changed the whole backyard!! You guys were great & delivery was very prompt.”
Get Stampede Hybrid Buffalo from GoTurf
If you're thinking Stampede could be for you, here's the thing: we don't know how much you want, and there's only so much ready to harvest right now.
Once those slabs are spoken for, you'll have to wait 'til the next harvest.
If you've been holding out for the lawn that makes your street green with envy, this is it.
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