First grown in North America and native to the high plains of Canada, Mexico, and the United States, buffalo grass is the only best grass for lawns because of its heat drought, and cold resistance.
Owing to its low maintenance, the different varieties of this grass type are hands down a good alternative to traditional lawn grass.
Many people confuse buffalo grass with sideaots grama or with blue, hairy grama because they look similar to the foliage. B itself, buffalo grass is grayish with a fine texture and features leaves rolled in the buds.
The ligule of the grass features a fringe of hairs. And there are curled, pointed leaf blades and notably different flowers.
One of the things that stand out about buffalo grass above any other type of grass is that it produces dense sod, which makes it good enough for controlling soil erosion.
In this guide, you will learn about buffalo grass pros and cons so you can determine if it’s the right type of grass for your lawn.
Contents
- Buffalo Grass Pros and Cons
- What are the Pros of Buffalo Grass?
- What are the Cons of Buffalo Grass?
- Frequently Asked Questions; Buffalo Grass Pros and Cons
- 1. Does buffalo grass make a good lawn?
- 2. Will buffalo grass choke out weeds?
- 3. What are the benefits of buffalo grass?
- 4. Does buffalo grass spread quickly?
- 5. How do you keep buffalo grass green in the summer?
- Author
Buffalo Grass Pros and Cons
What are the Pros of Buffalo Grass?
1. Buffalo Grass is Easy to Maintain
Known for being a low-stature species, buffalo grass thrives well with low maintenance under normal weather conditions. Even under no mowing conditions, the grass tends to perform better than other types of turfgrass mixtures.
According to this study, native grass with a mixture of buffalo grass did produce the best quality with no traces of weed under normal conditions.
The case is different when referring to areas subject to high rainfall. For what it’s worth, buffalo grass tends to perform less well in such a condition and therefore demands constant weed control for proper maintenance.
2. Buffalo Grass Help to Control Soil Erosion
Because buffalo grass produces a dense sod that spreads vegetatively through stolons, it easily binds soil and offers the best protection against wind and water erosion.
Further studies on buffalo grass show that they even have a root system that extends to the range between 60 and 120 cm, with some experts finding roots in the 80 cm soil layer.
In addition to producing the dense sod that holds soil particles together, buffalo grass has a higher water holding capacity, making it a better option than some other types of turf.
On water retention, Beetle in 1950 found that the water holding capacity of buffalo grass is between 57 and 60% of the field capacity, which is quite high.
What are the Cons of Buffalo Grass?
While we praise it for being the best grass for lawns, buffalo grass does have a few disadvantages that you need to know before you decide to plant it on your lawn.
To begin with, the older varieties of buffalo grass aren’t as dense. And given that they have numerous seed heads, some people will more than likely find them unattractive.
Speaking of cost, buffalo grass seeds are quite expensive compared to other grass types, so you will need to dig a little deeper into your pocket if you wish to include this grass type in your lawn.
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Again, buffalo grass has a short growing season. While the grass tends to go dormant to survive the cold season, some varieties aren’t as adaptive in such conditions and will more than likely damage in the winter.
Another problem with buffalo grass is that it grows well only in areas with dryer climates. With such a limited adaptation range, you cannot grow this grass in an area that doesn’t meet the conditions specified.
Thankfully, there are varieties designed to go dormant fast in the falls. These tend to tolerate cold better and can easily survive the winter season better.
Frequently Asked Questions; Buffalo Grass Pros and Cons
1. Does buffalo grass make a good lawn?
Buffalo grass is native grass that can make a good lawn.
The different varieties of this grass type are heat, drought, and cold-resistant, making it a good all-seasons grass to consider.
And thanks to the thick sod that it produces, buffalo grass can easily control water and soil erosion and keep your lawn in good condition.
2. Will buffalo grass choke out weeds?
Buffalo grass cannot choke out weeds, which means you need to have a proper plan in place that you can use to control the weed from time to time.
The best approach to take if weed becomes a problem is to use the 2, 4-D weed killer as recommended on the label to control the weed.
3. What are the benefits of buffalo grass?
The primary benefit of buffalo grass is its heat and drought resistance and its ability to thrive well in cold climates.
Given that this grass type requires less frequent mowing and watering, it’s the easiest variety to maintain.
Again, its ability to produce dense sod means you don’t have to look for ways to control soil erosion.
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4. Does buffalo grass spread quickly?
Yes, buffalo grass can spread out rather quickly since it grows at a fast rate.
Studies show that a buffalo lawn can grow up to a foot high every month if it receives enough nutrients, air, and water supply.
5. How do you keep buffalo grass green in the summer?
You should apply the best quality fertilizer to your lawn to keep buffalo grass green in the summer.
Buffalo grass is sure one of the types of grass varieties grown in the Western Plains of the United States of America.
With a mixture of the right variety, this grass type can make the best option for that lush, green lawn throughout the year.
One thing that stands out about buffalo grass is its drought and heat resistance. And don’t we also love that it demands the least water usage and has such a lower growth habit?
The biggest problem with this grass type is that it won’t thrive in an area subject to heavy rainfall.
So if you live in a place like this, you should consider a completely different solution.
It’s awesome that you mention that buffalo grass can be maintained very easily. I want my home to have a low-maintenance lawn, so I’m considering buying some buffalo grass for it next week. I’m going to look for a good business in my area that can sell me some buffalo grass.