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Buffalo Grass is a Versatile Warm Season Seed

Buffalo grass is one of the hardiest forms of grass on the market. It’s highly drought tolerant, can withstand heavy traffic, and needs very little maintenance in relation to other warm season grasses. If you’re considering purchasing Buffalo Grass seed for your lawn, take the following information into account.

BUFFALO GRASS IS STRONG
Buffalo Grass originated in the prairie states where the climate can be less than hospitable. As a result it’s able to withstand long period of no rain and very heavy trodding by people, animals, and even equipment. Buffalo grass has only one Achilles heel: shade.

BUFFALO GRASS GROWS FAST
The best thing about Buffalo Grass in the eyes of many lawn care providers is that the cultivar doesn’t really need much mowing. Although you may want to trim it back from time to time, Buffalo Grass generally stops growing at around 6” tall. As it germinates it cultivates a thick blue-green mat across the lawn which is difficult to permeate.

BUFFALO GRASS IS TOUGH
Not only can Buffalo Grass withstand wear and tear, it’s not very susceptible to bugs and/or weeds. Since it forms such a dense under-layer of roots, burrowing pests and weeds have a hard time making headway when attempting to grow through the grass.

How to Choose a Buffalo Grass Seed

As with any general species of grass, there are over a dozen cultivars of Buffalo Grass. Since it’s native to the plain states, some of these varieties are best suited for grazing, that is, animals and farmland. If you’re looking for Buffalo Grass to help make your lawn look its best, consider the following:

  • The most popular types of Buffalo Grass for lawns are Cody and Bowie, both widely available as seed
  • When choosing a seed type, keep rainfall in mind. Most Buffalo types cannot withstand more than about 25” of rain a year
  • Color is the biggest difference you’ll find when deciding between Buffalo varieties. For example, Cody grass is darker whereas Bowie grass is usually lighter-green in color
  • “Twice treated” seeds are the best to purchase as they’ll germinate more readily the first year you plant

Once you’ve chosen a seed, planting it’s a snap. Pick a time to sow once the last hard-freeze of the Spring has passed and prepare the soil according to your seed pack’s directions. You can spread the seed by hand or using a spreader, but a spreader is recommended for more even results. Keep in mind Buffalo Grass seeds are larger than typical grass seed and therefore easier to plant.

Spread around 4 pounds of seed for each 1000-sq. ft. of lawn, or use more seed if cost is not an issue. Be sure to keep pets and kids off the lawn while the seeds germinate. Full germination should occur within 4 weeks after the initial planting, with proper watering.

If you’d rather have a professional handle your Buffalo Grass seed needs check with your area’s lawn care providers to find out who services this type of grass in your neighborhood.

TruGreen will gladly visit your property as often as needed between scheduled visits to make any necessary adjustments and to ensure your satisfaction.

Getting Started with TruGreen

  1. Call or fill out the form above to reach a lawn care specialist.
  2. Know the square footage of your yard, as well as any specific areas of concern.
  3. With the help of your specialist, create a customized lawn care plan that meets your lawn’s needs.
  4. Schedule your Healthy Lawn Analysis2 to start your service.

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