How To Remove Stubborn Buffalo Grass?

Answer 1

Buffalo grass is one of the most hardy types of grass; it often spreads everywhere once planted. While this may be the optimal choice for a virtually maintenance-free lawn aside from mowing, it can be a nuisance when it grows somewhere it isn’t wanted. Many times gardeners have ongoing battles with this stubborn grass, which seems to take over their plants. There are ways to get rid of buffalo grass and keep it at bay so that other plants may thrive also.

Before any other preventative measures can be taken, the buffalo grass patches should be removed. Use a shovel or garden spade to remove them and their roots. Once all of the undesirable areas of grass have been uprooted and removed, place a thin rubber or plastic strip along the length of the area where the grass has been dug up. The strip should be sitting vertically, not lying on the soil. This is a method to keep it from returning. As long as the strip surfaces above ground, the buffalo grass will be unlikely to grow past it again.

Another method for removing buffalo grass is to kill it by means of suffocation. To do this, a dry plastic trash bag or tarp will be needed, along with several rocks. The tarp or trash bag should not have any holes; the purpose of this method is to block out all oxygen. Map out the area of buffalo grass that is to be removed and place the plastic tarp or bag over it, then weigh it down with rocks all over. The pressure from the rocks and lack of oxygen will suffocate the grass, which will easily be removed.

The last safe method for removing buffalo grass is to use glyphosate herbicide. This substance may be found at some home improvement stores and most nurseries. To use this simple spray chemical, just spray it carefully only on the areas where the buffalo grass must be removed. Glyphosate will kill any type of shrubbery, grass or vegetation it comes in contact with, so this step is extremely important. These three methods are the most effective for removing stubborn buffalo grass.

Answer 2

Typically its the other way around....bermudagrass takes over everything.

First, make sure it's buffalograss before you proceed with the following recommendations otherwise you may amplify the problem with another grass species

Bermudagrass is a much more aggressive spreader and faster grower than buffalo. If you want to get rid of the buffalo, water your lawn regularly and apply fertilizer as recommended by your agricultural extension office. Bermuda responds aggressively to water and fertilizer and buffalo not so much. Also, keep your lawn mowed regularly... at least once a week. Buffalo does not like to be mowed and will stay very thin if mowed. This will encourage the Bermuda to take over.

Answer 3

use 2,4-D 1%