December 13, 2009

Buffalo Grass Seed: The Easiest Grass To Grow

Buffalo grass is a type of grass that grows wild on the Great Plains. It can survive extreme hot or cold weather, and it is known for its strength and durability. Because it is a wild grass, it needs only a small amount of water to thrive. If you are looking for a low maintenance, durable grass, plant buffalo grass seed.

Being different from other grasses, buffalo grass turns green later in the spring. With only a small amount of moisture it will remain dark green all summer. In the fall it quits growing, becomes dormant and turns a light beige color. It remains dormant throughout the rest of the fall and winter.

By using potassium nitrate, a person can cause this grass to germinate quickly. It will only take up to fourteen days. Another incredible characteristic of Buffalo grass is that from the time of planting, it can grow 5 inches before 50 days pass. It spreads and thickens by sending out runners like strawberry plants do. All of these things make it a relatively fast grass cover.

Most grasses need plenty of water, and they will dry up and die in a hot, dry area. Buffalo grass is different, because it does well in those areas. It needs the morning sunlight, well-drained soil and an average of 7 hours of sunlight each day. Because of these characteristics it is a favorite of home builders and companies that build roads.

There is a new generation of buffalo grass that is thicker and more dense. It produces more plants and their roots are closer together. It is greener than other grasses, shorter for less maintenance and it covers the ground faster in its first year than other grasses. Because it is so dense, it naturally keeps weeds out.

Buffalo grass grows well in soils that aren't based in coarse sand. The problem of coarse sand can be remedied, if necessary, by adding organic material to it. In the spring, once the temperature of the ground reaches 60 degrees, buffalo grass seed can be planted. The cutoff date for planting it is 75 days before the average hard frost in the fall.

In order to prepare the ground for planting, till it to a depth of six to twelve inches. Once this is done, the ground should be worked until the ground is well broken up and clod free. This will allow the roots to be good and healthy as the grass establishes itself. Rake the surface of the ground and remove any large weed debris. Once the soil is prepared to this point, it needs to be firmed with a roller so that your foot doesn't sink more than one-half inch.

Now it is time to plant. Since most people plant smaller spaces, the seed can just be broadcast across the top of the ground. Don't put it any deeper in the ground than one-half inch. The best depth to plant it is between one-fourth and one-half inch.

Buffalo grass is easy to plant, quick to germinate and grow and very simple to care for. Anyone who needs a fast grass cover for any reason can use buffalo grass seed with great success.

For free tips and information on grass seed Zoysia and Buffalo grass seed for sale visit GrassSeed Blog.

Filed under Landscape Gardening by Andy Zain

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