Buffalo grass (Bouteloua dactyloides) is a native, warm-season grass that offers a low-maintenance turf solution. It requires considerably less water, mowing, and fertilizer than traditional lawn species due to its exceptional tolerance to drought and heat. Successful establishment relies heavily on correct timing to ensure the young plants can thrive in the region’s variable conditions. Understanding the specific requirements for this species is the first step toward achieving a dense, resilient turf.
Optimal Planting Windows in Kansas
Successful establishment of buffalo grass is directly tied to soil temperature, as this warm-season species requires sustained warmth to initiate growth. The seed needs the upper layer of the soil to maintain temperatures in the range of 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit for reliable germination. In Kansas, this necessary soil warmth typically occurs from late spring into early summer, creating a primary planting window from May through July.
Planting too early means the soil will be too cold, resulting in slow and erratic germination that can take two to three weeks. This extended period of slow growth leaves the vulnerable seedlings exposed to competition from weeds. For irrigated sites, the best timing is delayed until June and July, since the warmer soil temperatures during this time promote rapid germination, within a week.
Delaying planting too long into the late summer, past mid-August, increases the risk of failure for the young grass. Seedlings that germinate late in the season do not have enough time to develop a deep, robust root system before the onset of winter dormancy. A full summer of warm temperatures and active growth is necessary to ensure the new turf is resilient enough to survive the first winter freeze.
Choosing the Planting Material
Buffalo grass can be established using either treated seed or vegetative material, such as plugs or sod, with each method presenting distinct advantages. Seeding is the most common and least expensive method, requiring one to two pounds of seed per 1,000 square feet for a full stand. Establishment from seed is a slower process, and it necessitates careful weed management during the first year to prevent competition.
Vegetative methods, like plugs or sod, offer the benefit of immediate or faster coverage compared to seeding. Plugs are small pieces of sod planted on a grid pattern, which spread by runners to fill in the gaps more quickly than seed. These methods also allow for the selection of female-only cultivars, which produce a denser, darker green turf without the wispy male seedheads. While plugs and sod are more expensive, they result in more consistent and higher quality turf in a shorter timeframe.
Site Preparation and Establishment Care
Proper site preparation must be completed before the optimal planting window arrives. Begin by eliminating existing vegetation and weeds, which may require multiple applications of a non-selective herbicide or non-chemical methods. The soil surface should then be lightly tilled to create a smooth, firm seedbed. This seedbed can be tested by ensuring a footprint sinks no more than a half-inch deep, which ensures firm contact for successful rooting and germination.
The initial care focuses on providing consistent moisture to encourage germination and root growth. For seeded areas, frequent, light watering is necessary to keep the top quarter to half-inch of soil moist until the seedlings emerge, which may take up to three weeks. Once germination is complete, watering frequency should be reduced to encourage deeper root development. Plugs require frequent watering for the first few weeks until they are firmly rooted, after which they benefit from less frequent, deeper soakings.
The first mowing should be delayed until the new grass or plugs are well-rooted and actively growing. When mowing, the cutting height should be set high, between 2.5 and 4 inches. The rule of removing no more than one-third of the grass blade at a time should be followed, as buffalo grass spreads slowly by runners and may take more than one full season to form a dense turf.