How to Thicken Buffalo Grass and make Buffalo Grass Dark Green [Step by Step Guide]

Buffalo grass is native to North America. It is the only native grass that people prefer as a lawn grass. Buffalo grass lawns are a warm season turf that tolerates drought better than other warm-season grasses.

There are various ways to Thicken Buffalo Grass. To thicken the grass and make it dark green, you must follow a particular maintenance strategy. Mowing, fertilizing, watering the grass regularly can restore the grass quality. In this article, we will outline the ways to thicken and make the buffalo grass dark green.   

What is Buffalo Grass

Buffalo Grass is turf grass that grows very well in a warm atmosphere. The grass can withstand a wide range of environments, making it ideal for lawn grass. Seeds, grass, or plugs can plant the grass. As an added plus, buffalo grass requires little maintenance.

As a wild turf, buffalo grass is an important species and pasture plant used by local and domestic herdsmen. It is a warm-season grass, which turns brown and hibernates in the autumn when the cold temperatures come and only wakes up in the spring when the air and soil are warm. Its peak season is between May and September.

It forms a thin turf 8 to 10 inches (20-25 cm) tall with a bluish-green color. The blades are slightly curved, and the flowers are both a pistil and staminate. Plants take root at the internodes on the stem. Buffalo grass lawns are well suited to low humidity areas. New varieties are more resistant to weeds and require less water than traditional buffalo grass.

Sir Walter Buffalo Grass never had to change. Even after a severe drought, it has the potential to self-repair, recovering even after significant damage. It requires less water than other popular varieties and looks good in full sun or shade. Its shade tolerance makes it ideal for use in large areas, making it one of the most affordable landscaping features.

 Buffalo has soft leaves that make it ideal for children’s games.

How to Thicken Buffalo Grass

Mowing

Mowing to the perfect height allows the grass blades to shade the soil and reduce evaporation. Additionally, It shades out weed seeds. You must not remove more than one-third of the height of the grass when mowing. It means you will have to trim more regularly to maintain a length between 2 ½ and 3 ½ inches, but your grass will reward you with thick, luxurious growth. 

It is also best not to mow your grass when it is wet. Maintain sharp mower blades to avoid tearing the grass to make it more vulnerable to lawn diseases. You can regularly vary your mowing pattern, as this will help the grass grow thick and straight. If you mow in the same direction all the time, the grass will be in that direction. Your lawn will grow straighter if you move it in different directions, leaving more space for the blades to grow next to it.

If you mow high, your grass will learn to thicken with more lateral growth. If you leave it on too long, the sun will not easily do it again, and you will end up with a patchy lawn, especially when you are more than a third of the way off the ends of the leaves.

De-thinking

Sir Walter Buffalo is more likely to build grass than other lawns like Josiah and Sofa. Remove it by mowing your lawn once or twice each year, in late autumn or early spring. Find out if the runners are still covering the ground. Fertilizing your lawn after scaling is optional, but it will replant your lawn much faster.

Water Properly

When your lawn is dehydrated and loses its ability to retain moisture from the soil, it reaches its permanent wilt point (PWP). Here, your backyard will begin to wilt, and growth will almost cease. Following good watering practices will help keep your lawn thick and secure. Established backyards generally need around an inch of water a week. If there is a lack of rainfall to supply this need, you will have to water timely. Irrigate deeply and thoroughly to encourage the extensive root growth needed for a thicker lawn.

It is sufficient to water your Sir Walter buffalo once every two weeks during the summer. Water once a month in autumn and spring and never in winter. Less heavy watering promotes deep root system development, while light watering promotes shallow root system development. Watering your Sir Walter Buffalo Lawn in the morning rather than in the afternoon or evening will reduce the chances of getting a fungal infection.

Get Rid of Compaction

Aeration is a great way to loosen compacted soil so that more fertilizer and oxygen can get down to the grassroots. Break up compaction by using a lawn aerator or garden fork. This process will stimulate new root growth, helping your lawn green and thicken up.

Practice Grass Cycling

This practice, where you scatter your grass clippings back onto the lawn, helps promote a thicker backyard by preserving moisture in the soil.

Manage Weather Conditions Appropriately

While you can not change the weather or prevent weather extremes from affecting the grass, you can manage how you treat your lawn to help prevent it from becoming thin and unattractive. You must not apply fertilizer in extreme summer conditions. Additionally, avoid mowing in the heat of the day or early in the morning when the grass is still wet.

You should not over-water your lawn during rainfall. It can cause fungal infections. And be kind to your backyard during times of drought, and try not to cause excessive wear and tear when the grass is stressed and vulnerable.

Make these steps part of your weekly lawn maintenance schedule, and you will be able to achieve a thick and attractive lawn and keep it that way.

Regular sowing promotes lateral growth. If you do not let your lawn grow too long, it will receive more sunlight for growth.

Fertilization 

Most lawn fertilizers have the right nutrient balance for grass health. One of these nutrients is potassium. Potassium works in the grass cell and provides strength to the whole plant. It aids in internal processes like photosynthesis, respiration, and more. While Sir Walter buffalo grass is easy to maintain, your lawn will lose its health and color due to a lack of fertilizer regimen.

Fertilizing the earth every two months might promote development in places with heavy sandy soils. According to the manufacturer’s recommended application rates will help maintain its greenness. Elsewhere, fertilizing in late autumn can help keep your lawn green even in winter. Over-fertilizing, however, can require frequent pruning and irrigation to dissolve the fertilizer effectively.

Separation 

Excessive shedding on the turf profile makes it harder to absorb nutrients into your lawn, creating moisture loss and making it harder for the biomass to thicken and spread.

Removing Weed

Needless to say, if your lawn has space to grow more grass, there is likely to be room for weeds as well. All you can do is spray the herbicide when needed and instead let your grass spread in these areas.

Reduce the Traffic

Even low stress will keep the grass in excellent health, which improves density.

Plant Growth Regulator (PGR) 

You may have heard of a treatment that reduces the frequency of mowing your lawn. Chemicals like these slow the growth of vertical plants, which reduces the need for clipping and mowing in commercial conditions like playgrounds and golf courses. Instead, the energy goes to the roots and lateral growth. The result is the grass that is more tightly knit, thicker, and can handle stress.

Application of Wetting Agent

The vetting agent application is a lawn care practice that all lawn owners must follow at least twice each year; Once in the spring and once in the autumn. The purpose of wetting agents is to increase the water flow into the soil. Wetting agents dissolve the wax layer, allowing water to be absorbed more easily.

Application of Herbicide

Many Lawn Herbicides can severely damage or destroy your Sir Walter Buffalo Lawn. Check the label to confirm its safety before purchasing any pesticide. If you apply too much pesticide, it can harm the weeds and your lawn. Thus, use the correct amount.

Application of Iron Supplement

Unfortunately, most lawn fertilizers do not contain iron. Applying iron supplements is beneficial for buffalo grass lawns. If your backyard looks a little yellow even after watering as recommended and cutting to the recommended height, an iron supplement can restore its health. Applying iron supplements in late autumn will allow your turf to soak before the onset of winter.

Conclusion

Buffalo grass is turfgrass that requires minimum maintenance. Several techniques to employ in your lawn to boost grass growth and make the grass grow dark green. Do you follow a maintenance routine for your grass? Add our tips to your maintenance routine and you will notice positive changes soon.