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Buffalograss is a native prairie grass that is used for low maintenance, low water use lawns. It requires less mowing, watering and fertilizing than bluegrass. It is a fine-textured, low-growing, warmseason grass with gray-green color. Buffalograss spreads by stolons (runners) but not nearly as aggressively >as bermudagrass. Once established, it survives extreme heat, drought and >cold. >Grow buffalograss in areas that get at least 6 to 8 hours per day of >direct sunlight. Stands in semi-shady areas are thinner and the grass >does not grow well in heavily shaded areas. > >It grows best on well drained soil but tolerates clay and compacted >sites better than >other lawn grasses. Sandy soils, wet areas and poorly drained soils >generally are unsuited for buffalograss. > >Care and Management Summary >Planting: June and July best. April-May if irrigation is not available >Plant seed 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep using 1 to 2 lb. seed/1,000 square feet >Mowing: 2 to 3 inches for home lawns. Low maintenance areas may be left >longer. >Frequency is affected by amount of watering and fertilizing >Watering: Deep soak soil every 2 weeks during summer drought >Limit spring watering to a few deep soakings to replenish subsoil >moisture during drought conditions. Soak soil before winter if fall is >dry. Occasional or no watering for low maintenance areas >Fertilizing: Early June is best; second application, if used, during >mid-July. 1 to 2 pounds actual nitrogen per 1,000 square feet/year, less >on low maintenance and natural areas >Weed control: Avoid frequent watering, short mowing and overfertilizing. >Minimal early season watering. Avoid 2,4-D and related products in the >spring, when temperature is above 90°F, and on first-year turf. Control >broadleaf weeds in the fall > >Buffalograss is not a miracle grass. It is a warm season grass and turns >brown much earlier than cool season grasses. Do plant it thinking it >will be less work and a better turf >than other lawn grasses. The gray-green color and shorter growing season >are not acceptable in all cases. Buffalograss is not managed like other >lawn grasses. It has a naturalistic appearance and you should not >attempt to make it look like other lawn grasses. >Buffalograss responds to water and fertilizer and produces a greener, >thicker lawn, but too much care may cause problems. Excessive weed >competition is one indication that >buffalograss is being over-managed. Watering and fertilizing the same as >bluegrass defeats the purpose of planting buffalograss. LOOKING FOR ARDENING VOLUNTEERS: Gilgal Garden was purchased by the >Friends of Gilgal, a >non-profit corporation, in June, 2000 and donated to Salt Lake City as a >public park. Budgeting for the city park >system is very limited and only allows for basic maintenance of the new >park (i.e. cutting the grass). Those of >you who are familiar with Gilgal Garden (500 South 749 East, gate on the >north wide of the street) are probably >also aware of the weed problem that is obstructing a clear view of the >stone sculptures. We are organizing a >weeding party on Saturday, September 22 at 9:00 a.m. to noon and would >appreciate any and all who can assist >in the clean-up effort. Please bring your own garden tools, hat, and >water. This is a wonderful opportunity to have >a hands-on involvement in preserving this incredible example of American >folk art nestled in the heart of Salt >Lake City. For further information, please contact Cathy King at >582-0432 (h) or 595-1713 (w) or >ingyking@aol.com. Larry A. Sagers >Regional Horticulturist >Utah State University Extension >Thanksgiving Point Office
