This blog post will compare and contrast the two most popular types of lawn grasses in the United States. It will cover their similarities, differences, pros and cons as well as what you need to know before deciding which type is right for you.
Bermuda Grass vs Buffalo Grass – Which One Is Better?
Which one of these two types of grasses is better for your lawn depends on what you are looking for in a turfgrass plant.
Bermuda grass is a great choice if you live in an area that gets hot temperatures during the summer or if you have limited water resources available to keep your lawn green and healthy.
It also grows well in sandy soil, which makes it a good choice for areas with poor soil quality.
The downside of bermuda grass is that it does not grow as tall as buffalo grass, so it may not provide enough shade for your yard or garden plants during the summer months.
Bermuda grass also has a slightly bluish color to it due to its high concentration of chlorophyll, which makes it look like blue-green blades of long when viewed from far away (which can be a problem if you want your turfgrass to blend into the rest of your landscaping).
So, which is better – buffalo grass or Bermuda grass?
Well, you’ll have to decide that for yourself. They both have their pros and cons.
Buffalo grass has a longer growing season than Bermuda grass, but it also requires more water. It also has a tendency to grow in clumps, which can be hard to mow around. It’s also not as drought-tolerant as Bermuda grass.
Bermuda grass is able to grow in cooler climates and doesn’t need as much water or care as buffalo grass does. It also grows well in shady areas and has the ability to withstand traffic from pets and children a bit better than buffalo grass can.
So, if you live in an area where there are cold winters, then Buffalo Grass might be the way to go. On the other hand, if you live in an area where it gets hot during the summer months, then Bermuda Grass might be the best choice for your yard.
Benefits of Buffalo Grass vs Bermuda
• It is very drought-tolerant. In fact, it thrives in dry areas and is able to withstand extreme weather conditions.
• It is very soft and has a low density, which makes it perfect for lawns with children and pets running around.
• It grows very low to the ground, so you won’t have to worry about mowing it all the time. Just like Bermuda grass, buffalo grass only needs to be mowed once or twice a month. This will save you time and money on your lawn care routine.
• It is better for the environment because it doesn’t require as much water as other grasses do.
• It can tolerate cold temperatures better than bermuda grass. You don’t have to worry about getting rid of your buffalo grass when winter comes around!
Benefits of Bermuda Grass Over Buffalo Grass
- Bermuda grass is more resistant to drought and heat. It can survive in a wider range of temperatures than buffalo grass.
- Bermuda grass is more resistant to disease. It has better resistance against pests, weeds and diseases than buffalo grass.
- Bermuda grass is easier to maintain and requires less maintenance than buffalo grass. It does not require as much mowing as buffalo grass, which requires mowing at least twice a month. Bermuda grass needs mowing every week or two depending on how fast it grows in your area.
- Bermuda grass is easier to grow than buffalo grass because it can be planted from seed or sod (or plugs). You don’t have to wait for the seeds to germinate like you do with buffalo grass. Bermuda Grass also grows faster and thicker than Buffalo Grass, so it can be used for sports fields, golf courses, lawns and other uses that require a thick layer of turfgrass on the ground surface.
- Bermuda grass is more drought tolerant than buffalo grass. It will survive better in areas where the water supply is limited or inconsistent.
- Bermuda grass is less expensive than buffalo grass to purchase and maintain. It can be purchased from commercial nurseries and lawn mower shops at a lower price than buffalo grass. It also requires less maintenance, so you won’t have to spend as much time maintaining your lawn.
FAQs
Will buffalo grass take over Bermuda?
The two grasses are of course competitors, but Bermuda is well-adapted to the heat in the United States. It grows best in an alkaline soil with plenty of nitrogen.
Buffalo can be tougher on a lawn because it needs more water than bermuda, and bermuda has been bred down over time to require less nitrogen and gets along fairly well in acidic soils.
The odds that buffalo will take over bermuda lawns are not high enough for many American homeowners to worry.
Why is buffalo grass bad?
Buffalo grass is not bad – it’s just a less desirable type of grass for year-round lawns.
Buffalo Grass is more drought tolerant, but the turf does require some supplemental watering in northern regions or during heat waves.
Its leaves are darker green than most of those on other common varieties, and the blades are narrower and softer to the touch which can be an issue with kids who like to run through the yard barefoot.
Will buffalo grass choke out weeds?
Buffalo grass is a popular choice for home lawns because of its attractive, long blades and the lack of need for fertilizers.
Buffalo Grass has been shown to be an efficient weed suppressor due to its high tolerance to direct sunlight and wide blade structure which suppresses light from reaching weed surfaces. This in turn prevents weeds from producing needed leafy growth.
What will kill buffalo grass?
a) Cooler temperatures, below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
b) Extreme heat (over 140 degrees Fahrenheit).
c) Drought is also a major killer of buffalo grass because water becomes harder to come by as summer progresses.
d) Root starves with lack of moisture.