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TURFGRASS, GRASS SEED, AND GRASS PLUGS

Maintenance for New and Established Buffalograss

 

 

 

 

General Care Guidelines for Newly Planted Plugs:

 

Immediately After Installation:

Water your new plugs immediately after planting, soaking each plug thoroughly with Miracle Gro 24-8-16 general purpose plant food, following label instructions.  This will give your plugs a boost that will help insure success.

 

Watering:

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.

 

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.

 

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 spring and before the daytime temperatures consistently reach 75 degrees, broadleaf weeds can be controlled using Tri-Mec or a 2-4D Herbicide or a granular weed and feed.  Using these products and any product containing 2-4D after temperatures reach 75 degrees may stunt your lawn.  The easiest way to apply these herbicides is with RTS (Ready to Spray) formulations.  The container attaches to the end of a garden hose and injects the weed control into the stream of water as you spray.  There is no mixing or calculating.  The following brands are available at most garden centers:

 

  • Spectracide® Weed Stop® For Lawns plus Crabgrass Killer CONNECT TO HOSE™
  • Bayer Advanced™ All in One Lawn Weed & Crabgrass Killer Ready-To-Spray
  • Ortho® Weed B Gon Max® Plus Crabgrass Control Ready-Spray®

 

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.

 

Herbicides for LEGACY®, Prestige™ and UC Verde® buffalograss:

The products listed below can be used at temperatures up to 95 degrees.  Applying any herbicide when the temperatures are above 95 can limit the effectiveness of the chemical.

 

  • Plateau – pre-emergent annual grasses, post emergent annual grasses, post broadleaf and sedges
  • Quicksilver – post emerged broadleaf
  • Solitare – post annual grasses, broadleaves and sedges
  • SquareOne – post annual grasses and broadleaves
  • Tenacity – pre and post emergent annual grassy weeds, broadleaves and sedges
  • Xonerate – post emergent broadleaves and sedges
  • Certainty – controls sedges and fescue
  • Dismiss – controls sedges
  • Drive – pre-emergent for annual grasses
  • Echelon – pre-emergent for annual grasses
  • Flucarbazone – post emergent broadleaf control and cool season grasses
  • Katana - post emergent broadleaf control and cool season grasses and sedges

 

 

 

Your lawn should become established in 2 to 4 months!!

 

Once your new lawn has become established, please follow information below for Established Buffalograss Lawns!!

 

 

General Care Guidelines for Newly Installed Buffalograss Sod:

 

Immediately After Installation:

As soon as your Buffalograss Sod is installed, thoroughly water it. To ensure that you have watered enough, lift the sod to see that the water has soaked through and saturated the soil under the sod. Repeat your watering cycle if needed. This first watering is the most critical and will prevent problems later.

 

Be sure your sprinklers are adjusted to provide even coverage.

 

Many times the area between the sprinkler and its outside radius will not receive an equal amount of water due to an improper adjustment. This will result in damage to the sod in this area. To avoid problems, check and recheck your coverage!

 

To avoid causing indentations or air pockets, don't repeatedly walk or kneel on the new turf just after watering.  Rolling Buffalograss sod after installation is recommended.

 

Watering:

Keep the sod saturated for two to four weeks. This may take as many as 4 or more waterings per day or as little as one per day, depending on the weather. Be certain that your new lawn has enough moisture to survive hot, dry or windy periods. Water areas near buildings more often where reflected heat dries the turf. If you see signs of stress, it is most likely due to the lack of water. Increase water in the area, but do not allow water to form puddles.  About three weeks after installation start to slowly reduce by watering every other day for a week and then reduce watering to every third day allowing the area to begin to dry out.  Then water as needed.

 

Note: When Buffalograss is harvested and installed as sod, it will turn brown for a few weeks and then begin to green back up.  This is normal but the sod must be kept wet during this time.   There is a possibility the Buffalograss may not totally recover until the following year if it is installed late in the season.

 

Fertilization:

If your sod was installed before August 15th, immediately apply a pre-emergent herbicide or a fertilizer with pre-emergent after installation on top of the new sod to prevent crabgrass from germinating in the ground underneath the sod.  Avoid using anything containing the product Balan on new sod.

 

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.

 

Note: We recommended trying to stay off your new sod until it has rooted down.  This will take approximately 4 to 6 weeks.

 

Weed Control:

Immediately after installation, 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 the 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 spring and before the daytime temperatures consistently reach 75 degrees, broadleaf weeds can be controlled using Tri-Mec or a 2-4D Herbicide or a granular weed and feed.  Using these products and any product containing 204D after temperatures reach 75 degrees may stunt your lawn.  The easiest way to apply these herbicides is with RTS (Ready to Spray) formulations.  The container attaches to the end of a garden hose and injects the weed control into the stream of water as you spray.  There is no mixing or calculating.  The following brands are available at most garden centers:

 

  • Spectracide® Weed Stop® For Lawns plus Crabgrass Killer CONNECT TO HOSE™
  • Bayer Advanced™ All in One Lawn Weed & Crabgrass Killer Ready-To-Spray
  • Ortho® Weed B Gon Max® Plus Crabgrass Control Ready-Spray®

 

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.

 

Herbicides for LEGACY® and Prestige™ buffalograss:

The products listed below can be used at temperatures up to 95 degrees.  Applying any herbicide when the temperatures are above 95 can limit the effectiveness of the chemical.

 

  • Plateau – pre-emergent annual grasses, post emergent annual grasses, post broadleaf and sedges
  • Quicksilver – post emerged broadleaf
  • Solitare – post annual grasses, broadleaves and sedges
  • SquareOne – post annual grasses and broadleaves
  • Tenacity – pre and post emergent annual grassy weeds, broadleaves and sedges
  • Xonerate – post emergent broadleaves and sedges
  • Certainty – controls sedges and fescue
  • Dismiss – controls sedges
  • Drive – pre-emergent for annual grasses
  • Echelon – pre-emergent for annual grasses
  • Flucarbazone – post emergent broadleaf control and cool season grasses
  • Katana - post emergent broadleaf control and cool season grasses and sedges

 

 

Your lawn should become established in 4 to 6 weeks!!

 

Once your new lawn has become established, please follow information below for Established Buffalograss Lawns!!

 

 

General Care Guidelines for Established Buffalograss Lawns:

 

Mowing:

If left un-mowed, the buffalograss will reach a height of 3 to 8 inches, depending on the variety and your climate.  There is no set mowing height for these buffalograss varieties.  Just mow to the look you desire.  You may choose to maintain your lawn at 1 inch, allow it to go un-mowed or any height in between.

 

In early Spring, mow to a height of 1 inch to remove the dormant grass.  This will allow the sun to hit and warm the soil, which will cause the buffalograss to green up earlier.

 

In preparation for winter in Zones 6 and below, mow to a height of 2 to 2-1/2 inches in late summer or early fall.

 

 

Fertilization:

After mowing in early spring, 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.

 

Fertilization Approximate Dates for Turf-type Buffalograss

June 1st, July 1st and an optional August 1

 

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. Follow label directions. Click here to explore the Fertilizer options available

 

Throughout the spring and before the daytime temperatures consistently reach 75 degrees, broadleaf weeds can be controlled using Tri-Mec or a 2-4D Herbicide or a granular weed and feed.  Using these products and any product containing 204D after temperatures reach 75 degrees may stunt your lawn.  The easiest way to apply these herbicides is with RTS (Ready to Spray) formulations.  The container attaches to the end of a garden hose and injects the weed control into the stream of water as you spray.  There is no mixing or calculating.  The following brands are available at most garden centers:

 

  • Spectracide® Weed Stop® For Lawns plus Crabgrass Killer CONNECT TO HOSE™
  • Bayer Advanced™ All in One Lawn Weed & Crabgrass Killer Ready-To-Spray
  • Ortho® Weed B Gon Max® Plus Crabgrass Control Ready-Spray®

 

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.

 

Herbicides for LEGACY®, Prestige™ and UC Verde® buffalograss:

The products listed below can be used at temperatures up to 95 degrees.  Applying any herbicide when the temperatures are above 95 can limit the effectiveness of the chemical.

 

  • Plateau – pre-emergent annual grasses, post emergent annual grasses, post broadleaf and sedges
  • Quicksilver – post emerged broadleaf
  • Solitare – post annual grasses, broadleaves and sedges
  • SquareOne – post annual grasses and broadleaves
  • Tenacity – pre and post emergent annual grassy weeds, broadleaves and sedges
  • Xonerate – post emergent broadleaves and sedges
  • Certainty – controls sedges and fescue
  • Dismiss – controls sedges
  • Drive – pre-emergent for annual grasses
  • Echelon – pre-emergent for annual grasses
  • Flucarbazone – post emergent broadleaf control and cool season grasses
  • Katana - post emergent broadleaf control and cool season grasses and sedges

 

 

 

Watering:

Todd Valley Farms Buffalograss has a very deep root system and uses only about 1/4 inch of water per week.  Most areas of the world will not need to water their Buffalograss except in times of extreme drought.  If this occurs, deep water (1 to 2 inches) once every 4 to 6 weeks in clay soil.  In sandy soils you will need to water about 3/4 inch every 10 to 14 days.  This will keep your lawn looking lush.  If you choose not to water or do not have the resources to water, this will not harm the grass, but you may notice a slight browning of the blade tips.

 

These are general guidelines.  You will need to adjust your watering to match your soil type and current weather conditions.  Do not waste water by over watering, as this will only encourage competition from weeds and other plants.

 

The best time to water is early morning, so less water is lost by evaporation.  The worst time to water is in the evening because the lawn stays wet all night, which encourages disease development.  Lawns watered too frequently tend to develop shallow root systems which may make them more susceptible to grub damage and heat/drought stress.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Please email info@toddvalleyfarms.com or call us at 800-869-8544 with any other questions or concerns you may have.

 

WE HOPE YOU ENJOY YOUR NEW LAWN FROM TODD VALLEY FARMS!!

 

 

 

 

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Grass Species

 

Kentucky Bluegrass

 

Turf-Type Tall Fescue

 

RTF® Tall Fescue

 

Turf-Type Buffalograss

 

Zoysia

Amount and Frequency

 

1/2 to 3/4 inch twicer per week

 

1 1/2 to 2 inches every other week

 

1 1/2 to 2 inches every other week

 

Only if plant shows stress

 

1 inch every other week

Location

Todd Valley Farms

950 County Road M

Mead, NE 68041

402-624-6385

info@toddvalleyfarms.com

©2023 Todd Valley Farms, Inc

Hours - Open to the Public

Monday - Friday: 8:00am - 5:00 pm

Saturday: Closed

Sunday: Closed

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