Buffalo Grass (Bouteloua dactyloides) is a native, warm-season turfgrass highly valued for its exceptional ability to withstand dry conditions. Originating in the North American Great Plains, it is an excellent choice for xeriscaping and water conservation efforts due to its adaptation to low rainfall. Its low-growing habit requires significantly less attention than traditional turf varieties, appealing to homeowners seeking reduced mowing frequency and minimal input. Establishment, whether from seed, plugs, or sod, relies on thorough site preparation and tailored initial care.
Preparing the Planting Area
Successful establishment begins with preparation of the planting site. This warm-season grass requires full, unobstructed sunlight, meaning the area must receive at least six hours of direct sun daily to thrive. It performs best across USDA Hardiness Zones 4 through 9, tolerating both summer heat and winter cold.
Buffalo Grass prefers a soil pH range between 6.0 and 7.5 and adapts well to various soil types, including those with higher clay content. Conduct a soil test to determine the existing pH and nutrient levels. This allows for amendments like organic matter or a starter fertilizer to be incorporated into the top six inches of soil.
Eradicating all existing weeds and competing turf is necessary before planting, as Buffalo Grass is slow to establish and cannot outcompete existing growth. Non-selective herbicides can be applied several weeks before planting, or the area can be cleared through mechanical tilling or solarization. The final step involves leveling the area with a rake and lightly rolling the soil to create a firm seedbed, ensuring good contact for any planting material.
Methods for Establishing Buffalo Grass
Establishing the lawn can be accomplished using three distinct methods, each balancing cost versus speed of coverage.
Planting from seed is the most cost-effective approach and should be timed for late spring or early summer when soil temperatures consistently exceed 60°F. The recommended seeding rate is typically two to five pounds of treated seed per 1,000 square feet, which should be lightly raked into the soil surface to a maximum depth of 0.50 inches. After seeding, the area requires frequent, light watering, often three to four times daily, to maintain a constantly moist surface until germination occurs, which usually takes seven to twenty-one days.
Using plugs, which are small pieces of sod, offers a moderate cost alternative and a faster establishment time compared to seed. Plugs are typically planted on a grid pattern, with a common spacing of twelve inches between each plug, allowing the grass’s stolons to spread and fill in the gaps within four to six weeks. Initial watering for plugs is less frequent than for seed, requiring watering every other day during the first week and then every third day during the second week to encourage deep rooting.
Laying sod provides the fastest, most instant lawn but is the most expensive option. After the prepared soil is leveled, the sod strips are laid tightly together, ensuring excellent soil-to-root contact. The sod must be immediately and thoroughly watered following installation to prevent drying and maintain uniform soil moisture until the roots have firmly anchored into the subsoil.
Long-Term Maintenance and Care
Once Buffalo Grass is established, typically six to twelve months after planting, its maintenance requirements are low. Mowing should be infrequent, perhaps every two to four weeks, and the blades should be set high, ideally between three and four inches. Mowing at this height encourages deep root growth, maintains density, and helps the grass naturally resist weed encroachment.
The established turf requires minimal water, a characteristic that makes it highly desirable in arid climates. Rather than shallow, frequent watering, the grass responds best to deep, infrequent irrigation, such as one to two inches of water every two to four weeks during dry periods. Allowing the grass to enter a state of dormancy, where it turns a straw-brown color during severe or prolonged drought, is a normal survival mechanism and does not harm the turf.
Buffalo Grass has very low nutrient requirements, and excessive fertilization can promote weed growth. Only minimal nitrogen is needed, usually one to two pounds per 1,000 square feet annually, applied in late spring or early summer. As a warm-season grass, it will naturally turn brown and go dormant with the first hard frost of the fall, remaining that color until soil temperatures warm again in the spring.