Buffalo Grass
Background
The characteristic look of buffalo grass, Buchloe dactyloides, is greyish or blue-green coloured blades, which are finely leafed with a slight curl. Buffalo grass is a low growing variety, which generally reaches 8 to 10 inches high. This grass is a perennial variety that thrives in warm seasons. Some leaf blades can reach up to 12 inches tall; however, the blades will tilt toward the ground, creating a short turf. Buffalo grass gets its name from its utility or purpose, which was to support the herds of buffalo that roamed the plains of North America. Buffalo grass was also used as sod by the early settlers of the Great Plains.
Buffalo grass is native to America and primarily found in the southern states and the Great Plains, reaching from Montana to Mexico. Buffalo grass hardly ever grows across as the eastern seaboard as the sandy soils there prevent its spread. This variety of grass spreads by surface runners, stolons, and seeds. Buffalo grass is popular for use on school grounds, golf course roughs, cemeteries and roadsides as it creates a native-looking landscape that requires little maintenance.
Growing Conditions
Buffalo grass is highly resistant to extreme conditions and survives cold conditions and droughts. Buffalo grass is a good choice for a lawn when considering uniform cover and aesthetics . Low maintenance, low-use areas are recommended for buffalo grass. This variety of grass is not ideal for shaded areas or spaces that receive heavy traffic. Buffalo grass can also be susceptible to aggressive grass varieties such as Bermuda grass, which can overtake the buffalo grass. Buffalo grass has no underground stems, which makes it susceptible to cultivation and easy to remove.
Maintenance
When used for a lawn, buffalo grass should be mowed at a height between 2 and 3 inches. Weekly mowing may be necessary to keep the grass at the appropriate height. Although buffalo grass does not require fertilization, nitrogen fertilization is effective for growing buffalo grass. If the buffalo grass is irrigated well, the turf will stay green during spring and summer seasons. A green buffalo grass lawn will require at least one inch of water per week. If not properly watered, the grass will turn brown during dry, hot seasons.
Planting
Buffalo grass seeds are best planted in the spring months, preferably April or May when temperatures and moisture levels are ideal. If the lawn is adequately irrigated, buffalo grass can be planted as late as July or August. While you can plant buffalo grass in the fall, germination will not happen until the next spring. Treated seed has a higher germination rate than untreated seed. Treated seed germinates at a rate of 80 to 90 percent while untreated seed germinates at a rate of approximately 20%. If planting in the spring or summer, use treated seed for the best results.
The appropriate amount of seed for buffalo grass can range from half a pound for 1,000 square feet to six pounds for the same sized area. The amount of seed used will depend on the way the buffalo grass is planted and the time desired to create complete lawn coverage. As a general rule, 2 pounds of seed per 1,000 square feet will take several seasons to grow a complete coverage without irrigation. If planting in the fall, use 2 to 4 pounds of untreated seed for every 1,000 square feet of coverage.
Buffalo grass can also be planted using sod squares or plugs that are a minimum of 2-square inches. Plant the sod squares on a prepared seedbed in approximately 19-inch rows. The plants should be spaced approximately half a foot to 2 feet apart, depending on how fast a complete lawn coverage is desired. The further apart the plants are spaced, the longer it will take for the ground to become completely covered. Water buffalo grass plants well immediately after planting and in the weeks that follow.
You can read more articles, hints & tips from Home Services Engine here.
