Using Less Water in the Landscape

Buffalograss - a great alternative

Buffalograss (Buchloë dactyloides) is a native warm grass species which has prospered on the Great Plains for centuries. Both cyclic and prolonged droughts have allowed it to evolve water use efficiency and sod forming ability. People are using this short, fine-leaved prairie grass as an ecologically sound and energy efficient turf.

Buffalograss is a warm-season, sod forming grass. It spreads both by seed and by stolons (runners) which take root and produce new plants at the nodes (Figure 1). Buffalograss is usually dioecious with male and female inflorescences (flowers) occurring on separate plants. Male flowers produce pollen in one-sided spikes on stems, that stand 3-8 inches above the leaves. Female plants produce one or more burr-like inflorescences that are partially hidden among the leaves near ground level. Each burr may contain one or more caryopses (seeds).

Locate Buffalograss were it will receive at least 8 hours of sunlight per day, it does not tolerate shade or a lot of traffic.

Buffalograss should be planted around the first part of June in the Nebraska Panhandle at the rate of 2 to 3 lbs of seed per 1000 sq. ft.. Lightly incorporate the seed to a depth no greater than ½ inch. New seedings should be watered on a routine basis the year of establishment. Mowing the first year will help reduced weed pressure and stimulate the production of stolons in the buffalograss.

Fertilizing the turf is different from cool season grasses. Early spring fertilizer only promotes cool season weed growth. Fertilize buffalograss with 1 lb of N/1000 sq. ft. 3 weeks after spring green up (late June). If additional growth is wanted a second application of 1 lb N/1000 sq. ft. can be made the first week of August.

A number of different herbicides are now available for use on buffalograss. Check with your local Extension Office for the most up to date list of products. 2, 4-D products should be avoided since these products can cause some damage to the turf.

Watering established buffalograss is not necessary but watering during extreme drought period will keep the grass green. An inch of water per month will keep the grass from going dormant and will keep the lawn green.

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Updated April 9, 2007
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