Question: I hear more about buffalograss, and I’d like to consider it. What is its record in Texas?

Answer: Buffalograss is the only native North American grass that is suitable as a Texas turfgrass. It grows all across the Great Plains, and in Texas as well. You’ll see it growing in ditches along the roads in Central Texas (and elsewhere), where it crowds out all invaders, even really aggressive weeds. However, for all its durability, buffalograss isn’t as luxuriant as some folks expect a turfgrass to be. It has a rather wiry look, and, if you don’t water it during the summer, it will turn brown. As soon as you try to irrigate it (even infrequently) to keep it green and attractive, you can expect the bermuda to start moving in. There are improved all-female forms of buffalograss on the market today, including Prairie and one that is called by its university research number, ‘609.’ They don’t have the flower stalks that extend above the blades like the seed-grown male plants have, so they make a more uniform, attractive turf. However, since they are female, you’re likely to get pollination from adjacent buffalograss in the neighborhood. As those seeds sprout and grow, half will develop into male plants, so you’re back where you started. And, all the while, the bermudagrass is probably overtaking it. Until there is a reliable way to remove bermuda from a buffalograss lawn, bermuda will be a better option.