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BUFFALOGRASS
There
seems to be no argument when it comes to water conservation, heat tolerance,
cold tolerance,
and resistance to disease and insects. Buffalo grass (buchloe
dactyloides) is the top choice. The Texas Water Commission, Texas Parks & Wildlife,
Texas Department of Agriculture, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, and in fact all
major universities, extension services, or horticulture research organizations
across the Great Plains from here to Montana agree on this.
Buffalo grass is a native prairie grass that has adapted over thousands of
years to withstand the adverse conditions found across the Great Plains.
The short
(4-6") grass gets it's name from the huge herds of bison that it once
nurtured. Buffalo grass prefers to grow in compacted clay or loam soils in
areas that receive
between 15" and 30" of annual rainfall. Spreading from stolons above
ground the grass forms a dense sod that is suitable for lawn culture.
Buffalo grass is generally acknowledged to stay green with just one or two
deep waterings a month even during drought situations. The slow growth rate
and
short height means less mowing. The fact that it thrives in poor soils means
little
or no fertilizer. The experts also agree that buffalo grass has little or no
problems with the pests and diseases that plague other turf grasses. All this
equates to
less time and money spent on lawn maintenance.
There are dozens of cultivars currently on the market and available as seed
or sod. Sod varieties offer instant success and have been selected for greener
color,
dense growth habit, and other traits desirable of lawn grass. Seed varieties
offer affordability and the advantage of viable seed production which will
allow the grass to spread or reseed itself naturally.
In a paper presented by Dr. Dick Auld from Texas Tech University in Lubbock
to the 1998 Native Plant Society of Texas annual symposium, Dr. Auld stated
that
the university had collected 273 different genotypes of buffalo grass from
the High Plains area. These grasses are currently being evaluated for agriculture
and urban landscapes. This endeavor in addition to releases already made by
Texas
A&M and other research institutes should result in more specific cultivars
available in the future.
With all this favorable information you would naturally assume that buffalo
grass would soon become the grass of choice in most of central and western
Texas.
The truth is that even though the demand has increased dramatically and the
future
remains bright, buffalo grass lawns are still a rare sight in the average neighborhood
even after more than a decade of good press. This article will explore some
of the reasons why buffalo grass has been slow to catch on among homeowners.
1. Great Expectations: Americans
are well known for their dedication to their lawns. We Texans are no exception.
When confronted with a new alternative in
lawn grass many of us automatically assume that this new grass will be the
perfect solution to everything that was lacking in other grasses. Besides lowering
maintenance
costs, the new homeowner would like buffalo grass to thrive in deep shade,
be free of weeds, stay green in winter, take over their old grass by simply
over seeding
it, and (of course) be more beautiful but cost less. While it's certainly not
wrong to seek perfection it really isn't fair to discount buffalo grass for
not being perfect.
In a report issued by Kansas State University it is proclaimed that "Buffalo
grass
is not a miracle grass nor is it the ideal turf grass for every situation." The
report also lists some disadvantages such as buffalo grass will not grow in
deep shade, does poorly in sandy soils, doesn't green up or stay green as long
as
other grasses, and yes, weeds can be a serious problem. In short, buffalo grass
is just exactly what the experts say it is. Nothing more, nothing less, and
certainly not perfect.
2. Bermuda grass: Bermuda is
still the quickest and most cost effective way for a homeowner to get a lawn
established
here in Texas. A few pounds of seed
and
some diligent watering are all it takes. Because of this, most new homeowners
unwittingly take this route without considering the other choices. The same
rapid growth that quickly covers bare ground also demands more water, fertilizer,
and
seemingly endless mowing during our long growing season.
Bermuda grass is also used extensively in agriculture for forage and hay. Bermuda
cultivars used in agriculture are even faster growing, taller, and coarser
than varieties used in lawn culture. This makes it quite likely that some form
of
Bermuda grass may already exist on your vacant lot even before the house is
built or may be brought in with a load of topsoil or fill dirt.
What this means to the prospective homeowner who wishes to cash in on the advantages
of buffalo grass is that Bermuda grass becomes the enemy. All Bermuda grass
must be totally eradicated before buffalo grass can be planted. Because bermuda
is
taller and much faster growing than buffalo, it will simply run over the top
and shade out the buffalo grass in short order. Buffalo grass can and does
hold it's own against bermuda given a situation where no supplemental irrigation
occurs because of the superior drought tolerance of buffalo grass, but when
water is
added to establish seed or sod, the bermuda will dominate.
Faced with the prospect of having to resort to the use of herbicides or physically
dig out all the existing bermuda, the homeowner who already has a bermuda lawn
will usually decide that it isn't worth all the extra expense and trouble.
Regrettably they continue on with the regime of watering, mowing, and fertilizing.
Likewise
the new homeowner who spends the extra time and money to acquire a buffalo
grass lawn may find himself constantly defending the borders of his property
against
Bermuda grass encroachment from his neighbors. Those of you who are fighting
or have fought this battle will not be at all surprised that Bermuda grass
is listed
on the invasive species lists of most environmental groups because it does
displace a lot of native plant species and it is nearly impossible to eradicate.
On the
other hand, if you are a farmer, rancher, or just one of those people who enjoy
mowing, you may love Bermuda grass If your lawn is buffalo grass, you will
likely come to the same conclusion that is shared by Texas Parks and Wildlife
and
other ecologically minded groups.
In order to reap the benefit of buffalo grass in a neighborhood that is dominated
by bermuda, the homeowner must resort to curbing, masonry walls, or dense shrub
borders to keep the bermuda at bay. There are a growing number of people who
have managed to eradicate entire Bermuda grass lawns, replace it with buffalo,
and win the battle of encroachment but it does require some effort. Those people
will enjoy huge savings in time and money in the long run.
3. Appearance: This means everything to some folks. There are some people who
have decided not to plant buffalo even with all the good things they've heard
simply because they didn't like the way it looked.
Buffalo grass from a distance does not look appreciably different than other
lawn grasses. Up close it is a lighter green than bermuda. Some sod varieties
such
as Stampede and 609 have been selected for their darker green color to make
them more appealing as a lawn grass. The texture of the leaf blade is very
fine. Buffalo grass
has a habit of bending over or laying down as the leaf blades stretch out to
their mature length giving the lawn a wavy appearance. Some folks really like
this, some don't, and others could care less.
4. Professional opinion: Like
it or not, the landscaping industry is full of opposing opinion. This is bewildering
to the average person who is seeking
facts and perceives the opinion of any professional to be fact. Even among
those who
have the benefit of higher education we find personal preference. Why do some
preach the value of using a native lawn grass while others are dead set against
it?
Consider the fact that the green industry has made billions of dollars selling
products and services aimed at lawn grass culture. It is quite likely that
the guy who mows your yard, the guy who installs watering systems, or even
your local
nurseryman may steer you away from planting buffalo grass They see this low
maintenance grass as a threat to their income. Consider the source of your
information.
5. Performance: Some people are
disappointed because buffalo grass does not perform like other grasses. This
is because buffalo grass is not like other
grasses.
In fact some of the very practices that have become the mainstay of good lawn
culture can actually have a negative effect on buffalo grass Regular watering
and fertilizer applications can encourage weeds and aggressive grasses which
in turn will shade out buffalo grass The astute gardener has to disregard traditional
lawn care and trust in the fact that buffalo grass thrives on neglect.
Growing buffalo grass from seed is a study in patience. Unlike other lawn grasses,
buffalo grass does not germinate quickly or produce a visible stand in just
a few weeks. Buffalo grass tends to germinate rather sporadically. Once seedlings
begin to emerge the grass spends much of it's energy forming roots as opposed
to top growth. In the meantime, weeds and taller grasses will return and begin
to compete with the young sprouts. It is important to control weeds at this
point.
A couple of well timed mowings will allow sunlight to reach seedlings and give
them a chance to spread. It can take an entire summer to go from seed to a
stand of buffalo grass and perhaps a second season to realize a lush lawn.
The results
are beautiful and well worth the effort.
In the wild, buffalo grass can and obviously does germinate on rainfall alone.
Although the results are even more sporadic and sometimes disappointing, it
does offer a viable alternative in places where irrigation is impractical or
impossible.
As a pasture grass it offers excellent grazing. Just like the bison, your livestock
will love it!
For those who lack in patience, sod is the only alternative. Buffalo grass
sod can be purchased and installed at prices that are about the same as other
lawn
grasses. This will give you the advantage of instant coverage plus the opportunity
to choose from varieties that have been selected specifically for lawn grass
culture. Buffalo grass sod must be watered frequently at first to get roots
established. Once this is accomplished, it is best to cut back on water remembering
that
constant watering will encourage weed growth.
Will buffalo grass become the grass of choice in Texas? As our growing population
places greater demand on our finite water resources it is a certainty that
drought tolerant grasses will eventually replace those that require frequent
irrigation.
The places where we see buffalo grass used at present are properties that are
irrigated infrequently or not at all. Places like city parks, golf courses,
airports, and large commercial properties are making good use of this native
grass. Homeowners
who live on large properties and those that live in the country are also planting
buffalo grass In recent years we have seen the price of seed skyrocket due
to increased demand. Even in the well manicured suburban housing tracts we
are seeing a few buffalograss lawns. Could yours be next?
burban
housing tracts we are seeing a few buffalo grass lawns. Could yours be next? |
