Installing Buffalo Grass and Blue Grama Grass Mixture

• Planted by seed
• The ideal seeding time is June 1 to July 31 when soil temperatures are 65 degrees or greater
• Seeded at a depth of 0.25-0.50 inches
• Seeding rate of 3 lbs per 1,000 square feet of area for landscape projects
• Mixing ‘Hachita’ blue grama and ‘Sundancer’ buffalograss has been successful in Colorado
• Blue grama seed is significantly lighter and smaller than buffalograss seed; a 50-50 mix by seed count may be 20% blue grama and 80% buffalograss by weight

Establishment

General

Buffalo grass/blue grama mixture is an excellent blend of native grasses for lawn replacement or a naturalistic area. The mixture takes advantage of the best characteristics of both grass varieties, including the spreading habit of buffalo grass and the longer green season, height, and beautiful seedheads of blue grama. This mixture provides management flexibility: it can be mowed like a traditional lawn or left tall for a more naturalistic look. It can also be a smart choice for areas where the soil texture varies or is unknown.

Weed Management

Buffalo grass/blue grama projects often have weeds, which should be controlled early to reduce competition for moisture and nutrients. Blue grama can be sensitive to many herbicides, so use a product like carfentrazone to control weeds soon after seedling emergence. Proactive weed management during establishment will result in healthy grass stands with minimal weed issues over time.

Watering for Establishment

Buffalo grass often takes three weeks to germinate, and it’s important to keep the soil moist until seedlings start to emerge even though the blue grama will germinate sooner.

Fertilizer During Establishment

Fertilizing new seedling stands helps them grow quickly so that their leaves fully cover the soil. Apply a controlled-release or organic fertilizer at planting OR fertilize regularly with a very light dose of quickly available fertilizer. A light dose of fertilizer can be applied as often as weekly, but at a significantly lower rate than standard lawn fertilization. Apply 0.1-0.2 pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet each time the area is fertilized during the establishment period. Do not fertilize after mid-August.

Mowing During Establishment

Mowing a buffalo grass/blue grama mix periodically during establishment can improve its uniformity, manage taller weeds, and create a better appearance until it fills in. Once it reaches 5-7 inches tall, mow it as high as possible, ideally so the grass is 4-6 inches tall after mowing.

Long-Term Watering

Once established, buffalo grass and blue grama grass mixtures needs 8-10 inches of supplemental irrigation or less per growing season. This means watering once per week or less from May to October, and not watering at all during the winter when the grass is dormant (brown). More frequent watering will cause the blue grama to grow taller. To keep it shorter, water less often. 

Once the grass has matured, schedule irrigation to meet your project goals and desired grass appearance. Overwatering results in increased weed competition and encourages cool-season grass invasion.

Mowing

A buffalo grass/blue grama mixture can either be mowed like a traditional lawn or left tall for a more naturalistic look. In fact, part of the area can be mowed while another section can be left unmowed.

Mow the stand low in late winter to remove the previous year’s growth for a greener, more uniform look throughout the growing season.

Weed Control

Weeds in a buffalograss/blue grama stand should be treated like a blue grama area. Blue grama can be sensitive to herbicides, and most herbicides are not tested for safety on blue grama.

Fertilizing

For areas where buffalo grass and blue grama is used as a lawn replacement or a low-water groundcover, fertilize once or twice in June or July when the grass is growing rapidly. Apply nitrogen at 1 lb/1000 square feet of area. Low-input, naturalized, or restored areas do not need to be fertilized at all, but may be less dense and develop some spaces between plants over time.