Common Name: Buffalograss
Latin Name: (Bouteloua dactyloides (Nutt.) J.T. Columbus)
Strengths: Drought tolerance, cold tolerance, low fertilization requirement
Weaknesses: Shade tolerance, salinity tolerance, traffic tolerance, low range of adapted use, does not do well on poorly drained or over-watered soils
Growth Habit: Tillers and Stolons
Management Tips
Mowing Height: 2.5 to 4 inches with a rotary mower
Mowing Frequency: Weekly during the growing season; none during winter dormancy
Fertilization Requirement: Single application rates; 0.5 to 1 lb of Nitrogen per 1,000 sq feet during the growing season months. Annual application rates; 0 to 2 lbs of Nitrogen per 1,000 sq feet per year. Application of other nutrients including Phosphorous, Potassium, and others should be based on soil test results.
Description: Buffalograss is a prairie grass that is native to the midwestern United States. It is a warm-season grass that is primarily used in low-input lawns. One of the things that makes it unique from other lawn grasses is that it has male (staminate) and female (pistillate) flowers on separate inflorescences. These are usually present on different plants (dioecious) but can also be found on the same plant (monecious). It grows best in full sun or areas that receive 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight per day.