Maintenance for 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.

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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.

 

 

 

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Weed Control Without the use of 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.

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.

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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!

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New information for weed control for our buffalograss cultivars!

The following herbicides can safely be used on Buffalograss at anytime of the year to control most weeds.  They must be RTS [Ready to Spray] formulations.  The container attaches to your garden hose for quick and easy application.  The large amount of water applied with the RTS makes injury to the buffalograss unlikely, even during high temperatures.  If applying during the summer, apply in the evening. A second application may be needed in 10-20 days for some weeds.  Available at most garden centers.