A Homeowner’s Guide To Caring For Buffalograss

Buffalograss (Bouteloua dactyloides) is a warm-season perennial grass native to the Great Plains of North America. It is renowned for its drought tolerance, low maintenance requirements, and suitability for sustainable lawns. This guide will help homeowners understand, identify, and care for buffalograss, year-round, ensuring a lush, healthy lawn.

What Is Buffalograss & How To Identify It

Buffalograss is a hardy, warm-season grass that thrives in areas with hot summers and low to moderate rainfall. It is particularly suited for regions with dry climates, making it a popular choice for xeriscaping and eco-friendly lawns. Buffalograss forms a dense, carpet-like turf with fine-textured leaves that range in color from blue-green to gray-green.

Identifying buffalograss is relatively straightforward due to its distinct characteristics:

• Leaves: Fine-textured, narrow, and curled leaves that are typically 4 to 12 inches long. The leaves are blue-green during the growing season and turn straw-colored in winter.
• Growth Habit: Forms a dense, low-growing sod. Buffalograss grows to a height of 4 to 6 inches, with runners (stolons) that spread horizontally.
• Seed Heads: The seed heads are distinctive, resembling small, bur-like clusters that appear on stems above the foliage. Male and female flowers are on separate plants, with male flowers forming slender spikes and female flowers forming bur-like clusters.

Life Cycle Of Buffalograss

Buffalograss is a warm-season grass that grows actively during the warm months and goes dormant during cooler periods.

• Spring: Growth resumes as temperatures rise. Buffalograss begins to green up and spread.
• Summer: Peak growth period. The grass thrives in hot weather and requires minimal water once established.
• Autumn: Growth slows as temperatures drop. The grass prepares for dormancy, turning brown or straw-colored.
• Winter: Dormant period. The grass remains brown until temperatures rise again in spring.

General Care & Maintenance

Buffalograss is low maintenance compared to many other turfgrasses, but it still requires proper care to maintain its health and appearance.

Watering

• Deep, infrequent watering is best. Water every 7 to 10 days during dry periods.
• Established buffalograss lawns can survive on natural rainfall in many regions.

Mowing

• Mow to a height of 2 to 3 inches.
• Mow less frequently than cool-season grasses; about once every 2 to 3 weeks during the growing season.

Fertilizing

• Buffalograss has low nutrient requirements. Fertilize once in late spring or early summer with a balanced fertilizer.
• Avoid over-fertilizing, as this can promote weed growth.

Aeration

• Aerate the lawn once a year in late spring or early summer to reduce soil compaction and improve water and nutrient absorption.
• Use a core aerator to remove small plugs of soil, allowing the lawn to breathe. Alternative, liquid aeration can provide a way to aerate your soil without the mess.

Seasonal Care Of Buffalograss

Spring

• Rake away any debris and dead grass to encourage new growth.
• Apply a pre-emergent herbicide to prevent weed seeds from germinating.
• Begin watering as needed, depending on rainfall.

Summer

• Maintain a regular mowing schedule.
• Water deeply but infrequently.
• Monitor for signs of pests and disease.

Autumn

• Gradually reduce mowing frequency as growth slows.
• Continue to water as needed until the grass goes dormant.
• Remove fallen leaves to prevent smothering the grass.

Winter

• Buffalograss remains dormant, requiring no watering or mowing.
• Avoid heavy traffic on the lawn to prevent soil compaction.

Common Pests & Diseases

Buffalograss is relatively resistant to pests and diseases, but it can still be affected by a few common issues:

Pests

• Grubs: Larvae of various beetles can damage the roots. Monitor for signs of grub activity, such as patches of dead grass that can be easily lifted.
• Chinch Bugs: These pests suck sap from grass blades, causing yellowing and thinning of the lawn. Use insecticidal soap or a targeted pesticide if infestations occur.

Diseases

• Leaf Spot: Caused by fungal pathogens, leaf spot results in brown or black lesions on the leaves. Reduce moisture and improve air circulation to prevent it.
• Brown Patch: A fungal disease that creates circular patches of dead grass. Ensure proper watering practices and avoid over-fertilization to reduce the risk.

Buffalograss is an excellent choice for homeowners seeking a low-maintenance, drought-tolerant lawn. Understanding its life cycle, proper identification, and care requirements allows you to enjoy a beautiful, sustainable lawn that requires minimal effort. Regular maintenance, including mowing, watering, aeration, and vigilant monitoring for pests and diseases, will keep your buffalograss lawn healthy and thriving throughout the year.