Buffalograss Lawn Care Calendar

Buffalograss Lawn Care Calendar
Buffalograss is a low-maintenance turf once established, requiring less fertilizer, mowing, and irrigation than traditional lawn grasses. The native prairie grass can go weeks without watering or mowing and still remain green. In this lawn care calendar, we’ll show you how to maintain buffalograss month by month.  

▲ marks the best time to perform the designated task.*

△ marks an acceptable time to perform the designated task.*

*Location, forecasted frost dates, soil conditions, age of lawn, and several other factors can affect your lawn’s performance, which means timing will need to be adjusted to suit your lawn. 

Spring: March, April, May

Buffalograss exits winter dormancy in mid- to late spring, growing most actively from late spring through early fall. 

Help your lawn wake up from dormancy with professional spring cleanup to remove winter debris, redefine edges, and perform the first mow of the season. 

Mowing

Buffalograss prefers mowing heights between 2 and 4 inches tall. This low-maintenance turf can go anywhere from 10 days to four weeks between mows, depending on conditions and desired height.

Tip: Removing more than one-third of the grass’ height at once is stressful for turf. To safely maintain a mowing height between 2 and 4 inches, mow the grass when it reaches 3 to 6 inches tall. 

Irrigation

Established buffalograss lawns have excellent drought and heat tolerance can survive off very little water. Spring usually provides enough rainfall for buffalograss, making supplemental irrigation unnecessary. 

Weed Control

Buffalograss has a naturally thinner grass canopy compared to other traditional turfgrasses, making it susceptible to weed growth. Overwatering and overfertilizing can also make a buffalograss lawn weedy.
To encourage a weed-free lawn in summer, apply a pre-emergent herbicide in early spring when soil temperatures are between 50 and 55°F.

Tip: Pre-emergent herbicides can block grass seeds from growing. Read the product label to determine the appropriate wait time between application and overseeding. Some products require a wait time between 8 and 12 weeks (sometimes as much as 16 weeks). 

Aeration 

The best time to aerate buffalograss is in late spring or early summer. 

Core aeration reduces soil compaction and helps manage thatch. Buffalograss is usually less prone to thatch buildup than other grasses, making power raking and vertical mowing rarely necessary. 

While buffalograss can struggle to establish in sandy soils, existing lawns in such conditions may benefit from aeration every 1 to 3 years. Lawns with clay soil usually benefit from annual aeration. 

Learn More: 

• Why, When, and How to Aerate Your Lawn

• Signs Your Lawn Needs Aeration

• Benefits of Lawn Aeration

• Professional Lawn Aeration Services

Overseeding

The best time to overseed buffalograss is in late spring or early summer. 

If your lawn has suffered from winter injury or is looking too thin, consider planting new grass seed over the existing lawn to help fill in bare spots. Overseeding helps to encourage new growth and thicken the turf, making it less susceptible to weeds and further injury. 

Pro Tips: 

• Overseed after aeration to increase seed-to-soil contact.

• Read the product label of pre-emergent herbicide to determine the wait time. Overseeding while the herbicide’s barrier is still active may prevent the grass from growing. 

• Avoid heavy nitrogen applications for approximately 4 to 6 weeks, as nitrogen may cause existing grass to outcompete young grass.

Summer: June, July, August

Unlike other warm-season grasses, buffalograss requires minimal maintenance during the summer growing season. It can survive summer droughts and only requires 1 to 2 fertilizer applications. 

If you didn’t overseed or aerate in late spring, complete those tasks in early summer. 

Irrigation

Established buffalograss lawns can survive the summer without irrigation. However, non-irrigated buffalograss will enter dormancy and become more susceptible to weeds while dormant.

To maintain its green color and minimize weed growth, buffalograss needs a minimum of 1 to 2 inches of rainfall or irrigation every 2 to 4 weeks during the summer. 

Overwatering can also trigger weed invasions, so be careful not to overdo it. 

Raise Mowing Height

If you’re not mowing high already, increase the mowing height to 3 to 4 inches. Taller grass helps retain soil moisture in summer by shading the soil and cooling the roots.
Remember to always mow with sharp mower blades, never remove more than one-third of the leaf blade in a single mow, and avoid mowing wet grass.

Learn More: 

• Professional Lawn Mowing Tips for Healthy Lawns

• Common Lawn Mowing Mistakes to Avoid

• How to Sharpen a Lawn Mower Blade

• Lawn Mower Repair Services

Fertilizer & Soil Amendments

Buffalograss only needs 1 to 2 applications of nitrogen per year. Apply 1 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet in late May to mid-June, and again in late July to early August if needed. Buffalograss will underperform if given more than 2 pounds per 1,000 square feet in a single year. 

Always refer to the results of a soil test when applying fertilizer. A laboratory soil test report reveals what ratio of nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium to apply and identifies other nutrient deficiencies. 

Weed Control

Control summer weeds via handpulling, weed tools, digging, or post-emergent herbicide. 

Keep in mind that many post-emergent herbicides can injure buffalograss, especially those containing 2,4-D. Always read the product label to ensure it’s safe for buffalograss and apply it carefully.

Learn More:

• How to Get Rid of Crabgrass

• How to Get Rid of Nutsedge

• How to Get Rid of Dandelions

Fall: September, October, November

Buffalograss starts to slow down in September and enters dormancy when the first hard frost hits in fall. 

If you’re busy carving pumpkins and prepping for Thanksgiving, hire a local lawn care professional to handle the maintenance tasks. 

Leaf Removal

Removing fallen leaves is vital for your lawn’s health. A thick layer of leaves can kill the grass underneath by blocking sunlight and oxygen. And when the grass becomes wet, it creates attractive conditions for fungi and pests to spread.
Remove leaves from the lawn by leaf raking, leaf blowing, or hiring professional leaf removal services. 

Irrigation

Fall typically provides enough water for buffalograss. Only apply supplemental water during periods of drought when your lawn shows signs of thirst. 

Soil Testing

Testing your lawn’s soil is one of the best things you can do for its overall health. Test the lawn’s soil in early fall to allow time to prepare for next spring. A soil test may even recommend an application of lime in the fall if the soil’s pH is too acidic. 

To receive accurate results and specific amendment recommendations, send a soil sample to your local cooperative extension for laboratory testing. 

Weed Control 

If your lawn has a history of dandelions or winter weeds, apply pre-emergent herbicide in early fall as soil temperatures drop and approach 70°F.

Lower Mowing Height

Short grass is less susceptible to winter injury, matting, and snow molds than tall grass. Gradually lower the mower height down to 2 inches over several mows so that you don’t remove too much at once. 

Winter: December, January, February 

Maintaining buffalograss is even easier in winter. Simply remove unwanted winter weeds and monitor precipitation levels. 

Most warm-season lawns benefit from 0.25 to 0.5 inches of water every 3 to 4 weeks in winter. If your lawn needs supplemental water, only irrigate when air temperatures are above 40°F and the soil is not frozen.

Frequently Asked Questions About Buffalograss

What Is Buffalograss?

Buffalograss is a warm-season grass native to much of the North American Great Plains, making it a suitable choice for Midwest cities like Lincoln, NE, Kansas City, MO, and Denver, CO. 

The native grass is extremely drought tolerant once established, has a gray-green or blue-green color, and requires very little fertilizer. It’s highly susceptible to weed invasions and does not tolerate foot traffic, saline soils, moderate to heavy shade, or sandy soils. 

Can I Grow My Lawn From Buffalograss Seed?

Buffalograss can be established from seed, however it requires patience and intense care. Its slow germination and rooting process makes it highly susceptible to weeds. Though more expensive, sod or plugs may provide easier establishment. 

What Pests Commonly Affect Buffalograss Lawns?

The most common insect pests affecting buffalograss lawns are mealybugs, chinch bugs (specifically the western chinch bug), and white grubs. 

Turn to the Lawn Care Pro

Buffalograss is extremely low maintenance, making it a top choice for homeowners who prefer to keep yard work to a minimum. To make your lawn care even easier, find a lawn care professional near you for lawn mowing, spring cleanups, and light landscaping.