Some property owners in Australia want to give their property a greener look, but they don't like to invest time in maintenance, looking after and caring. Buffalo grass is an ideal solution for them, as it requires very low maintenance when established, and this is the top USP of this native North American grass. Several things are there to understand about this turf, and we have covered the most important ones here in this post.
BUFFALO GRASS AT A GLANCE
Classification: warm-season grass
Spreads by: stolons
Shade tolerance: very low — best suited for full sun
Drought resistance high
Foot traffic tolerance: very low, but light use or rare heavy use is ok
Maintenance needs: low mowing frequency — once per week or less
Mowing height: 2-4 inches or leave unmowed
Potential for disease: good tolerance against diseases and insects
Soil pH: 6.5-7.5
Soil type: native soils, not sandy soils
WHAT IS BUFFALO GRASS?
Buffalo grass is a native of western and central regions and as the name suggests, it was mainly used for grazing animals, but currently, it is the top favourite to have a lush green lawn in front of their property. It is a very low-maintenance grass that can survive in every kind of weather easily. It has several features that make it an ideal solution for any local ecosystem. Some of them are listed below.
Low maintenance, once established
Less water once established than other turf grasses
Few insect and disease problems
A downside associated with soft leaf buffalo grass is that it has a very open growth habit. This is a boon in disguise, actually, as turfs and grasses with open growth habits can battle weeds easily. However, if weeds are more prevalent in your region, it will be essential to use weed control products and weedicides to clear the weeds.
WHAT ARE THE MAJOR PROS AND CONS OF BUFFALO GRASS?
PROS
Establish via seed, sod, or plugs
No water once established, although it will go dormant in summer without some rainfall or supplemental irrigation.
Low fertiliser requirement once established
No significant disease or insect issues
A soft, barefoot grass
CONS
Not a fire-safe grass
Open growth habit means weeds are a constant battle
Higher seed costs and extensive water needs make establishing a lawn expensive
CARING FOR BUFFALO GRASS
As far as mowing is concerned, you will have to take some very basic steps to maintain this grass by mowing. The top three steps to take in this regard are listed below.
Higher-Quality Lawns: Mow Every Week At 2-3 Inches
Low-Maintenance Lawns: Mow Every Three To Four Weeks At 3-4 Inches
Unmowed Lawns: Mow Once Per Year In Spring At 3-4 Inches.
