The Best Time to Plant Buffalo Grass

Time Frame

• Buffalo grass is a warm-season grass that responds best to the warmer days of spring. Sow the seed after the danger of frost has passed and the soil has had a chance to warm up. For best germination, the ideal soil temperature is 70 to 80 degrees. This usually occurs from April to May in the southern part of the U.S. and from May to June in the northern part of the country. Buffalo grass sod can be planted any time after the last frost.

Considerations

• Buffalo grass seed may take as long as two to three weeks to germinate. It must be watered several times a day until it gets established. Buy "double-treated" buffalo grass seed, which typically has a germination rate of about 70 percent.

Benefits

• Buffalo grass requires no fertilizer and very little mowing. It actually prefers heavier soils and drier conditions, so it is exceptionally low-maintenance.