Gardens Alive! & Supplies
How to Grow Buffalo Grass from Seed
Buffalo grass has been described as rugged, dependable and impossible to stop from growing. This hardy native of dry prairie states is a favorite of people looking for a new landscape design populated with a reliable grass that seldom needs attention from lawn mowers or watering devices, and only requires lots of sun. If you're one of the many people choosing to grow buffalo grass from seed in your lawn, here are some tips to help you get started.
First, kill any weeds in the planting area by using an herbicide, such as Gurney's Weed Aside™ Weed Killer. All weeds in the area must be removed, even those below the surface that haven't sprouted yet, so after an herbicide is applied, till the soil (buffalo grass thrives in loose soil) at a depth of approximately 3 inches and water it thoroughly to help any below-the-surface weeds grow so you can remove them before planting.
Buffalo grass loves to grow in warm soil, so you should plant your seeds in late spring (April-May) when the soil temperature is between 60 and 80 degrees. The general rule of thumb when planting buffalo grass seeds is to use approximately 3 lbs. of seeds per 1,000 square ft. Place the seeds between ¼-inch and ½-inch below the surface.
You will need to water the seeds during establishment to encourage proper germination. Water the grass every day the first week, but scale back to every other day or every third day the next 2 weeks. This will aid the seeds in battling the warmer, drier temperatures later in the summer.
Gurney's Buffalo Grass forms a dense, blue-green mat of soft grass that will last from spring all the way into fall without watering. It doesn't need to be mowed and will form a thick sod that keeps weeds out after the first year, ensuring your lawn maintains its hardy, colorful look.
