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Monday - March 12, 2007

From: Austin, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Turf
Title: Buffalograss as lawn replacement in Austin, TX
Answered by: Nan Hampton and Joe Marcus

QUESTION:

Mr. Smarty Plants, I have just moved into a house that has a yard full of weeds. I was planning on killing the existing ground cover and starting buffalo grass, when I came upon several articles on the web talking about Turffalo grass - a Texas Tech hybrid buffalo grass. What do you know about this new variety and would you recommend it in place of a native buffalo grass, in other words, is it worth the up front cost? I have heard that buffalo grass never grows in thick enough to choke out weeds and that weeding is always a concern with a buffalo grass yard, especially at the borders where neighboring yards still have Bermuda grass. Thanks for your advice.

ANSWER:

The Wildflower Center does have some Turffalo growing, but it has been in only a short time. Here is what our Director of Horticulture, Andrea DeLong-Amaya has to say about it:

"We planted some last spring that was donated to us by the company. It is featured in the Formal Home Owner Inspiration Garden and has filled in nicely after installation. It will be telling to see how it wears over time, but so far so good."

Joe Marcus, Wildflower Center horticulturist, says that for Turffalo, like all buffalo grass, weeding is going to be a concern.

Turfallo is the same species as any other cultivar of Buffalograss, Bouteloua dactyloides (formerly Buchloe dactyloides). It is simply a selection with improved growth characteristics and color. Buffalograss - Turfallo included - does not compete well with Bermudagrass in most situations.

You will have to answer the cost question for yourself. If you intend to use a Buffalograss of some flavor, then Turffalo may be a good choice. If you're on the fence about switching to Buffalograss, then you'll have a lot of issues, pro and con, to factor into the equation.