How Fast does Buffalograss Spread?

3 growth stages of buffalograss, picture dated Aug 24, 2015

Same view of 3 growth stages of buffalo grass,
picture dated Sept. 28, 2015

Established buffalo grass planted July 2014 in foreground, buffalograss planted from plugs June 25 (13 1/2 weeks ago) in center of picture and buffalograss planted August 3, 2015 (8 weeks ago) at top. As you can see, buffalograss spreads quickly. After it is established, water infrequently but deeply. Fertilize twice in the summer in June and August.

Buffalograss from plugs planted June 25, 2015, left, and
August 3 2015, right. Picture taken August 24, 2015

Buffalo grass plugs, bottom of this picture, planted Aug. 3, 2015,
top of  this picture, buffalo grass planted June 25, 2015.
This picture was taken Sept. 28, 2015.

Buffalograss plugs planted 18 inches apart Aug. 3, 2015.
Picture taken 3 weeks later, Aug. 24, 2015

Same view of Buffalo plugs planted Aug. 3, 2015,
now 8 weeks after planting. Picture taken Sept. 28, 2015

We prepared the soil by spraying weeds with herbicide as they came up every few weeks for the past year. We are still fighting wild morning glory (field bindweed) and have trouble with redstem filaree (Erodium cicutarium).

Redstem Filaree (Erodium cicutarium) 

The photo above is from swcoloradowildflowers.com. This is an excellent website with beautiful pictures of wildflowers. This is a beautiful picture, but I hate redstem filaree! One plant produces thousands of seeds and they germinate as soon as you begin irrigating an area.

Update on Buffalo Grass September 28, 2015

Our buffalo grass is growing well.

Buffalo grass planted on June 25, 2015 (13 1/2 weeks ago)

As you can see, the buffalo grass pictured above has filled in nicely in the 13 1/2 weeks since we planted it. See the post "Update on Buffalograss August 24," below to compare pictures.

Buffalo grass 3 stages looking west

Buffalo grass 3 stages looking east

Buffalo grass planted June 25, 2015
is about 19 inches long.
(13 1/2 weeks ago)

 

Buffalo grass planted 8 weeks ago on August 3, 2015

Progress of Buffalograss August 24, 2015

Buffalograss Planted summer of 2013

Our buffalograss has grown very well the past two years. We have not mowed it yet this year. This photo was taken in the same place as the last photo from September 19, 2013. (See post from Sept. 19, 2013 below)

Buffalograss planted June 25, 2015 foreground;
buffalograss planted summer 2014 background

We planted our buffalograss 18 inches apart on our level ground. It fills in nicely in one season. The grass in the foreground was planted about 2 months ago and has almost filled in completely.

Buffalograss planted July 2014

After a very wet spring, we have watered our established buffalograss only 3 times. It has turned brown on top, but is green underneath.

Buffalograss 19 inches long

Legacy Buffalograss is prostrate. Instead of growing upright, it creeps along the ground. Our established buffalograss planted in 2013 and 2014 has long stolons that have grown since this spring to 18 to 20 inches in length. It is growing in mounds and is about 6 inches deep. It has not been mowed this year. It was mowed very short last fall after it became dormant. It should be mowed in the fall so in the spring, the sun can warm the soil and dormant roots. This helps it to break dormancy and begin growing earlier.