Lawn

Restoring zoysia after fungus

A fungus has killed large areas of my zoysia lawn, roots and all. Can I till this dead stuff under and start over with new plugs?

You can re-plug those areas in late May to early June.

Brad S. Fresenburg
Extension Research Associate
University of Missouri Turfgrass Research Center

Buffalograss seeding

I have about half an acre of irrigated land I want to seed with buffalograss. The area was once planted in timothy but has been left to weeds for more than ten years. I have been spraying for the past three years and have managed to reduce the weeds substantially. Most of the weed species are not noxious, i.e., cheat grass and knapweed; however, I do have some weedy species emerging this spring. How should I prepare the site for planting? When should I plant the seed and at what density? How many pounds of seed will I need for half an acre? Once established, what is the best way to control what weeds may germinate?

Buffalograss is an excellent grass for low-maintenance areas requiring very little water to survive summers. The color is not as dark green as bluegrass, more pale green. The density of the grass is thin; therefore it does not compete well with weeds. It is a warm-season grass and therefore does go dormant in the winter. The best planting procedures for buffalograss include

Light tillage (2 to 3 inches deep).
Rake seed into the top 1/4 to 1/2 inch of seedbed.
Use a starter fertilizer (10-24-18) at 5 to 10 pounds of fertilizer per 1,000 square foot.

You may want to soil test first to check phosphorus, potassium and soil pH, and then adjust these per soil test results. If lime is needed to adjust pH, till in when working soil.

Our seeding date here in central Missouri is June 1. We recommend 1.5 to 3 pounds per 1,000 square feet. For 1/2 acre, plant 33 to 66 pounds.

Once the buffalograss is established, a preemergence herbicide (Ronstar G, Balan and Dimension) will control annual grasses such as crabgrass and other annual broadleaf weeds. Perennial broadleaf weeds can be controlled with products like Millenium Ultra, Momentum Premium and Three-Way Selective. Perennial grassy weeds can be spot sprayed with Roundup. All of the products listed above are labeled for buffalograss.

Brad S. Fresenburg
Extension Research Associate
University of Missouri Turfgrass Research Center

Buffalograss source

Where can I buy seed, sod or plugs of buffalograss in the St. Louis area?

For sod and plugs check with Emerald View Sod Farm or Keevan Bros. in O'Fallon. Mo.

Seed can be bought from Williams Lawn Seed in Maryville, Mo. or from SeedSuperStore.com..

Brad S. Fresenburg
Extension Research Associate
University of Missouri Turfgrass Research Center

Buffalograss for less

What is the most inexpensive method of growing buffalograss?

Seeding is the least expensive.

Brad S. Fresenburg
Extension Research Associate
University of Missouri Turfgrass Research Center

Bermuda grass eradication

How do I get rid of Bermuda grass in my yard?

Make several applications of Roundup through the summer, then re-seed or re-sod in the early fall. Only make additional applications if it begins to green up again.

Brad S. Fresenburg
Extension Research Associate
University of Missouri Turfgrass Research Center