Weed Problems in Legacy Buffalograss

The buffalograss was planted 41 days ago and there are many patches of a thin-bladed grass-like plant that has started growing from dry root-balls that looked innocent enough before we planted. We should have removed all the root-balls before we planted. Here's a photo of the dry root-balls and of a watered root-ball.

(Right) Innocent-looking dry dormant root-balls we left in the soil.
(Left) Grass or Sedge sprouting from a root-ball after we watered the area.

The photo below shows the buffalograss plugs on the right and the weedy grass-like plants on the left. If the root-balls dry out on the weedy grass, the grass dies back. The roots aren't very deep and have little bulbs on the ends.  We think it's a cool-season grass or (sedge?) that we hope we may be able to spray with Roundup when the buffalograss goes dormant after frost. Anyone know what plant this is and how we can get rid of it?

Buffalograss to the Right of Hose.
Weedy Grasses and Field Bindweed on Left.

We think the weedy grasses aren't growing next to our fence because we treat the area frequently with Roundup. If you have time, prepare your soil before planting your buffalograss by watering, spraying weeds with herbicide, watering again, spraying, etc. for at least a few months. It will save you a lot of trouble!

Field Bindweed (wild morning glory) is a big problem in our area and we will really have to fight this weed for a long time.

September 3, 2012 Photos of Legacy Buffalograss Plugs

Legacy Buffalograss Plugs after growing for approximately one month.

Legacy Buffalograss Plugs Sept. 3, 2012

Legacy Buffalograss, Individual Plant Sept. 3, 2012

You can see that the plants are beginning to grow stolons that are several inches long. These stolons are beginning to root into the soil at several nodes.

August 4, 2012 Photos of Legacy Buffalograss Plugs

We ordered 13 flats of Legacy Buffalograss (1274 plants in all) and they arrived on August 2. We have a fairly steep slope from our building to our neighbors' property and thought that we needed to plant grass to help prevent mud and debris from washing onto our neighbors' property during rainstorms.

We planted the plugs about 1 foot apart, hoping that they would spread fairly quickly.

Newly planted Plugs of Legacy Buffalograss August 4, 2012

Individual Legacy Buffalograss Plug August 4, 2012

Homemade Bread

I can't find bread pans with high sides, so when I make bread, I put a piece of aluminum foil (30 by 6 inch, folded in half to 3 inches) around the bread pan right after I put the bread dough in the pans. The dough rises higher and doesn't creep over the sides of the pan that way. Anyone know where to buy bread pans with high sides?

Wheat Bread Dough Rising with Strip of Foil

Bread-Making Tips for Shorter Rise Time

Homemade Sliced Whole Wheat Bread

I keep my whole wheat flour in the refrigerator to keep it fresh. When I bake bread, I put the flour I'll use in the microwave for 5-15 seconds per cup BEFORE mixing it in with the wet ingredients. This makes the flour nice and warm. Be sure not to "cook" it too long. You don't want to kill the yeast when you dump the flour in!

I measure the flour into a big glass microwave-safe bowl. Start by cooking it on high for 5 seconds per cup. Take it out of the microwave and stir it up. Does it feel slightly warmer than your skin? If not, microwave for a few more seconds. After you've done this a few times, you'll know how long to "cook" the flour for your next loaf. Be sure to stir it after microwaving, because the flour at the bottom seems hotter than the flour at the top.

I use quick rise yeast and don't need to let the bread rise twice. Immediately after kneading the dough, I put it directly in the bread pans and it rises quickly, usually within a half hour or so.

After the bread has cooled on a wire rack, I slice it with an electric knife. I put my loaves in the freezer to keep them fresh longer.