Buffalo Grasses

Description

• The bluish-gray grass has a mature height of 8 to 10 inches. Single leaf blades are likely to grow 10 to 12 inches tall but do not stay upright. The grass spreads with runners and underground stolons. The leaf blades are sparsely hairy and may be curled, flat or twisted, measuring less than 1/8-inch wide. The seedheads consist of male and female flowers. The male flowers are within the curved branches near the top of the stems, and the female flowers are in the form of hard burs containing one to four seeds.

Growth Requirement

• Buffalograss is among the most drought- and heat-tolerant of turfgrasses, growing best in areas of full sun. The grass is also among the more cold tolerant warm-season grasses, although this level of tolerance tends to differ between various cultivars. Buffalograsses are fertilizer-efficient, growing well with only 1 to 2 lbs. of nitrogen for every 1,000 ft. of ground per year. Irrigation is required only to maintain growth and to keep the grass from going dormant.

Propagation

• It is easy to establish buffalograss turf with sod, plugs or seed, depending on variety. The recommended time to establish buffalograss turf is during late spring and early summer. For adequate root development before winter, the grass may be also started with sod or plugs between the end of August and early September in areas where autumns are warm. Recommended seeding rate is 1 to 3 lbs. of seeds per 1,000 square ft.

Care Tips

• Buffalograss turf tends to do poorly if over-managed. Avoid overwatering, as this makes grass highly prone not only to weed growth and competition but also to iseases. If using herbicides for weed management, make sure products are specifically intended for use on buffalograsses. For high quality turf, mow at a height of 2 to 3 inches once a week. In low maintenance areas mow every 3 to 4 weeks at a height of 3 to 4 inches.