If you live in a cold climate and are wondering if the grass that’s growing in your backyard is Buffalo Grass or Bouteloua dactyloides the chances are very slim. Buffalo grass is found in warm, dry climates and needs a soil temperature of at least 60 degrees to germinate. Native to Canada, Mexico, and the United States, it is seen in the high plains of Kansas, Nebraska, and South Dakota, as well as throughout California and Texas.
When natural, buffalo grass can grow 3 to 8 inches tall. The grey-green leaves are delicate and thin, with pointed blades and no auricles. It grows in “patches” and does not stand straight but droops outward to the sides. While Bermuda gets the prize for the deepest root system at 8 inches, Buffalo Grass isn’t far behind, going as deep as 6 inches.
Like other perennials, you will notice your Buffalo Grass become turn brown and dry as it becomes dormant for the winter.
If you maintain buffalo grass as you would St Augustine or Bermuda, your grass will take on a completely different appearance. The patchy look will fill in, leaving you with coarse but soft blades of grass and a lush, green lawn.
Buffalo Gass is also called bison grass because it grew readily in areas where bison or buffalo roamed. The bison walked through it carrying seeds and expanding the grass’s natural territory.
- vanilla grass
- sweet grass
- holy grass
- bison grass
Pros of Buffalo Grass
- low maintenance
- appearance
- drought resistant
- ability to overcome weeds
Low maintenance
If you want to maintain a lush green yard but don’t have much time to pamper it, buffalo grass may be a great bet. It should be mowed every 5 to 7 days which is about the same as St. Augustine and Bermuda.
Appearance
Buffalo grass will grow 3 to 8 inches tall and, when it is mowed, will give coarse, soft blades of grass that are perfect for any outdoor sport.
Drought resistant
Not many plants love the heat and direct sunlight, but buffalo grass does. It thrives in areas such as Florida, Texas, and California.
Weeds
In the ultimate battle between a beautiful lush yard and weeds, buffalo grass will be able to choke out the weeds and leave you with the lawn you’ve always wanted.
Cons of Buffalo Grass
- Needs warm weather
- Animal urine
- Proper Drainage
- Difficult to see
Weather
While buffalo grass does not die during harsh winters, it goes dormant, it does grow best in hot climates and needs at least six hours of direct sunlight each day.
Animal Urine
Many people believe that having their pets urinate on plants and grass is fertilizing it. This simply isn’t true with buffalo grass. Your dog or cat’s highly acidic urine can damage buffalo grass.
Proper Drainage
If you have a yard with low spots or one that is prone to standing water, buffalo grass may not be the best choice. It needs good drainage in order to thrive.
Difficult to seed
Finding seeds for buffalo grass is difficult because it is hard to start from seeds. Before even considering trying to seed your grass, you should check your soil. Buffalo grass does not do well in soil that retains moisture or sandy soil. Instead, it prefers dry soils such as clay.
Buffalo Grass Seed
BasqueStore Buffalo Grass
- BasqueStore
- Germinates within 14 to 21 Days
- 8″ tall
- Buchloe dactyloides or Buffalo Grass
How to plant Buffalo grass
To give your yard the best chance to seed, you must first clear your area of all obstacles, including all weeds. You don’t want your new sprouts having to unnecessarily fight for space against unwanted weeds.
Next, using a rototiller, you want to go around six inches deep. and place seeds around two to three pounds per 1,000 sq ft. Gently rake the seeds into the soil and water. Seeds should germinate within two weeks.
- soil should be 60 degrees F
- sunny well-drained soil
- clear all weeds
- use a rototiller
- place seeds
- rake seeds
- water
Sun Joe Electric Tiller
Electric Tiller
- Sun Joe
- 19.3 x 18 x 17 inches
- 6 Steel angled tines
- Foldable for easy storage
- 3-position wheel adjustment.
Conclusion
There are many ways to identify if you have Buffalo Grass growing in your backyard. First, Buffalo Grass grows in sunny, well-drained soil. It is a low-lying perennial, and if left natural, it grows in patches and can reach up to 8 inches. Its leaves fall outward and are grey-green, thin, and pointy. But when groomed and mowed, the patches come together, and the leaves, while coarse, are soft to the touch and make a lush yard.