Maintenance

Newly Installed

Buffalograss Plugs

 

Watering

Water your new plugs immediately after planting, soaking each plug thoroughly with Miracle Gro 15-30-15 general purpose plant food, following label instructions.  This will give your plugs a boost that will help insure success.  Keep the area wet for the first two weeks, then slowly reduce watering, but keep the ground moist.

The amount and frequency of irrigation really depends on several environmental and soil characteristics.  It is important to remember the following:

• Supplemental irrigation may be needed during rainy periods.
• The need for irrigation increases with increasing temperature.
• Similarly, windy conditions may necessitate more frequent irrigation.
• Poorly-drained, clay-type soils require less frequent irrigation than sandy soils.
• Plants with small or poorly-developed root systems are particularly sensitive to moisture deficits.

After the fourth week, soak the area once or twice per week until the plugs have completely covered the area.  This additional watering will keep the plugs actively growing and spreading as quickly as possible.  After this period, additional watering will depend on your natural rainfall and temperatures, as well as your soil type.  Clay soil will require less water than sandy soil.  Water your buffalograss to prevent stress.  Buffalograss is under stress when the grass blades wilt or the tips turn a purplish/brown color.

Fertilization

After installation is complete, saturate each plug with Miracle Gro general purpose fertilizer or fertilize the area with a sod/seed starter fertilizer.  Both are available at your local garden center.  Read and follow the directions on the label for proper rates and application.

Weed Control

Immediately after planting, apply a fertilizer with pre-emergent weed control following the label directions.  Scotts makes Halts Crabgrass Preventer® or Turfbuilder with Halts®.   Most garden centers will have these products or similar herbicides. Repeat this application at 1/2 rate in 8 weeks.

In poor soil conditions or Southern climates a third fertilizer application, without pre-emergent, may be done in mid-summer and a fourth application can be applied in early fall.

Throughout the summer, Broadleaf weeds such as  dandelions, clover or pigweeds can be controlled after they emerge using broadleaf weed herbicides without 2-4D or a granular weed and feed. Products like Scotts Turfbuilder Plus2® , which contain 2-4D, can be applied when the temperature is below 85 degrees Fahrenheit.

Caution: Never use a product which contains 2-4D when the temperatures are above 85 degrees.  This will harm your buffalograss.  

ALWAYS READ THE LABEL BEFORE APPLYING!

Broadleaf weeds may also be controlled at any temperature with "Spotlight", "Momentum" or "Confront".  Annual grassy weeds that are present like crabgrass or foxtail may be controlled with "DRIVE".  Consult a professional lawn care company for application of these chemicals.

 Hard to kill perennials and unwanted perennial grasses like bluegrass and fescue can be eliminated in the late fall or early spring by spraying round-up on your lawn while the buffalograss is dormant and when the unwanted weeds or grasses are still green and growing.  Buffalograss is dormant when no green shows in the foliage; a small amount of green at the base of the plant is okay.  Mowing can also be used to control weeds, but is not as effective as herbicides.  New herbicides are being developed for buffalograss.  Consult your extension agent or Todd Valley Farms or return to this web site for the latest material available.

(Without Herbicides)

If you wish to avoid the use of chemicals, hand eradication of weeds and mowing at 1 - 1 1/2 inches during establishment will benefit your new planting.  When using this method, your establishing buffalograss plugs will still benefit from fertilizer applications.

Mowing

Mowing is important during the establishment period to encourage the buffalograss to spread and to control weed growth.  Mow the area at 1 1/2 to 3 inches as frequently as necessary to control weed growth.  If left un-mowed, your grass will reach a height of 3 to 6 inches.