Buffalo Grass: The Low-Maintenance, Drought-Tolerant Lawn Grass
Introduction
Buffalo grass is a tough, low-maintenance grass that is native to the Great Plains region of North America. It is a warm-season grass that is drought tolerant and has better cold resistance than other warm-season grasses. Buffalo grass is also a good choice for lawns in areas with poor soil conditions.
What is Buffalo Grass?
Buffalo grass is the only native grass that is also useful as a lawn grass. It is a fine-textured grass with bluish-green color and slightly curly blades. Buffalo grass forms a dense sod that is resistant to weeds and pests.
Benefits of Buffalo Grass
- Drought tolerant: Buffalo grass needs less water than other types of lawn grasses. This makes it a good choice for areas with limited water resources.
- Cold resistant: Buffalo grass has better cold resistance than other warm-season grasses. This makes it a good choice for areas with cold winters.
- Low maintenance: Buffalo grass is a low-maintenance grass that requires less mowing and fertilizing than other types of lawn grasses.
- Adaptable: Buffalo grass can tolerate a wide range of soil conditions, including poor soil.
Planting Buffalo Grass
The best time to plant buffalo grass is in the spring or fall. You can plant buffalo grass from seed, sod, or plugs.
- Seed: Broadcast seed at the rate of 4 to 6 pounds per 1,000 square feet. With good moisture, this rate will achieve good cover in just a few months.
- Sod: Sod is generally made up of female plants to keep the spiky male seed heads from making an appearance. Seeded lawns will have both male and female plants.
- Plugs: Plugs are planted on 6 to 24 inch centers, 2 ½ inches deep.
Care of Buffalo Grass
Buffalo grass is a low-maintenance grass, but it does require some basic care.
- Watering: Buffalo grass needs just a moderate amount of moisture per week. Water deeply and infrequently, rather than shallowly and frequently.
- Mowing: Mow buffalo grass once per week to a height of 2 to 3 inches.
- Fertilizing: Fertilize buffalo grass in the spring with 1 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet. Feed the turf again in June or July with the same rate.
- Weed control: Buffalo grass is not a thick turf, so it tends to get weeds. Use a weed and feed product at fertilizing time and hand weed when possible to remove competing pest plants.
Buffalo Grass Varieties
There are several different varieties of buffalo grass available. Some of the most popular varieties include:
- Bison: Bison is a drought-tolerant variety that is well-suited for areas with hot, dry summers.
- Cody: Cody is a cold-hardy variety that is well-suited for areas with cold winters.
- Prestige: Prestige is a low-maintenance variety that is resistant to pests and diseases.
Conclusion
Buffalo grass is a low-maintenance, drought-tolerant lawn grass that is a good choice for many different climates and soil conditions. With proper care, buffalo grass can provide you with a beautiful, healthy lawn for many years to come.
