How To Get Rid Of Buffalo Grass

If you’re dealing with a tough, spreading grass taking over your lawn or garden, you need to know how to get rid of buffalo grass. This persistent warm-season grass is known for its durability, but that becomes a problem when it invades spaces where it’s not wanted. Its aggressive stolons and deep roots make it a formidable opponent for any gardener.

Don’t worry, though. With the right strategy and a bit of patience, you can reclaim your landscape. This guide walks you through the most effective methods, from manual removal to chemical controls.

Complete removal requires a multi-step approach. There is no single magic bullet, but by combining techniques, you can achieve success. Your choice of method will depend on the size of the infestation, your location (like near desirable plants), and your preference for organic or chemical solutions.

Understanding What You’re Fighting

Before you start, it helps to know your enemy. Buffalo grass (Buchloë dactyloides) is a native North American prairie grass. It’s drought-tolerant, spreads by above-ground runners (stolons), and has a deep root system. These traits make it excellent for low-maintenance lawns in dry regions but a nightmare when it creeps into flower beds, vegetable gardens, or other turf types.

Its wiry stolons can root at the nodes, creating new plants quickly. Missing even a small piece can lead to regrowth. That’s why thoroughness is absolutely critical in any removal method you choose.

Manual Removal Methods

For small patches or organic gardens, physical removal is the best first step. It’s immediate and avoids chemicals.

Hand-Pulling and Digging

This is most effective for new, isolated patches. The key is to get as much of the root and stolon system as possible.

Water the area thoroughly the day before. This softens the soil and makes roots easier to extract.
Use a narrow trowel, dandelion weeder, or a sturdy garden knife to loosen the soil around the grass clump.
Gently but firmly pull the grass, tracing the stolons to there connected plants. Try to lift the entire network.
Shake off excess soil and place all plant material directly into a trash bag—do not compost, as it may reroot.

Using a Sod Cutter

For larger areas overtaken by buffalo grass, removing the top layer of sod is efficient. You can rent a gas-powered sod cutter from a garden center.

The machine slices under the grass, cutting the roots and allowing you to roll up the sod in strips.
This removes the main plant and most of the root system in one go.
After removal, you’ll need to prepare the soil for reseeding or replanting. Be sure to inspect the edges of the cut area for remaining stolons.

Smothering (Solarization and Sheet Mulching)

This passive method uses no chemicals and is great for clearing entire beds. It works by depriving the grass of light and oxygen.

Plastic Sheet Solarization

This technique uses the sun’s heat to cook grass and seeds. It works best in hot, sunny summer months.

Mow or scalp the grass as low as possible.
Water the area deeply to conduct heat downward.
Cover the area with clear plastic sheeting (2-4 mil thick). Bury the edges with soil to trap heat.
Leave the plastic in place for 4-8 weeks. The heat will kill the buffalo grass and many weed seeds.

Sheet Mulching with Cardboard

A more gradual, soil-building approach involves layering materials to block light.

Mow the grass short. Water the area.
Layer overlapping cardboard or newspaper directly on the grass, wetting it down as you go.
Cover with 4-6 inches of organic mulch (wood chips, straw, compost).
Leave it for a full growing season. The grass will decompose underneath, and you can plant directly into the new mulch layer later.

Chemical Control with Herbicides

For severe infestations, herbicides may be the most practical solution. Always read and follow the product label instructions precisely. Selective herbicides target grasses but leave broadleaf plants, while non-selective ones kill all vegetation.

Using Non-Selective Herbicides (like Glyphosate)

These are effective for clearing areas where you want to start over.

Choose a calm, dry day with no rain forecast for 24 hours.
Spray the actively growing buffalo grass until leaves are lightly coated. The plant must be growing to absorb the chemical.
Wait 7-14 days for the grass to turn brown and die.
You may need a second application for stubborn patches. Once dead, you can remove the sod or dig out the roots.

A important note: Glyphosate does not leave a long-term residue in soil, so you can replant once the grass is dead.

Selective Grass Herbicides

If buffalo grass is invading another lawn type (like Kentucky bluegrass or fescue), a selective post-emergent herbicide labeled for “grassy weeds” is needed. Look for ingredients like fluazifop or sethoxydim.

These products will kill the buffalo grass without harming your desirable broadleaf lawn grass.
Multiple applications are often necessary, as the herbicide affects only the sprayed foliage.
Apply in spring or early fall when buffalo grass is actively growing and well-hydrated.

Preventing Regrowth and Reinfestation

Killing the existing grass is only half the battle. Vigilance is required to keep it from coming back.

Monitor Relentlessly: Check the area weekly for new green shoots. Immediately dig out or spot-spray any regrowth.
Edge Your Beds: Install physical barriers like metal or plastic edging that extends 6 inches deep to block underground stolons.
Maintain a Healthy Lawn: A thick, healthy lawn of your desired turf is the best defense. Mow at the proper height, fertilize appropriately, and water deeply but infrequently to encourage deep roots.
Clean Your Tools: Buffalo grass stolons can hitchhike on mower blades, shovels, and tillers. Clean tools after working in an infested area.

What to Plant After Removal

Once you’ve cleared the area, don’t leave bare soil. Plant desirable plants quickly to outcompete any remaining weed seeds or buffalo grass fragments.

For lawns, consider a turfgrass suitable for your climate that contrasts with buffalo grass’s fine, blue-green texture, making invaders easier to spot. In garden beds, use dense ground covers or plants that form solid clumps. Applying a 3-inch layer of mulch will also suppress any leftover bits from taking hold.

FAQ: Common Questions About Buffalo Grass Removal

Will vinegar kill buffalo grass?

Household vinegar (5% acetic acid) is a non-selective contact herbicide. It will burn back the top growth of buffalo grass, but it rarely kills the deep roots and stolons. You’ll see regrowth quickly. Commercial horticultural vinegar (20%+) is more effective but is hazardous and still may not provide complete control.

How deep do buffalo grass roots go?

Buffalo grass roots can extend down 4 to 6 feet in search of water, though the majority of the root mass is in the top 6 inches. This deep root system is why simply pulling the top often fails.

Can I till buffalo grass to get rid of it?

Tilling is generally not recommended. It chops the stolons and roots into many small pieces, each of which can potentially sprout a new plant. This can turn a localized patch into a widespread infestation. Smothering or herbicides are better options for large areas.

What is the fastest way to remove buffalo grass?

For immediate results on a large area, using a sod cutter is the fastest physical method. For complete kill with less labor, a non-selective herbicide like glyphosate is often the quickest, though you must wait for it to work.

How do I keep buffalo grass from spreading from my neighbor’s yard?

Install a deep root barrier (edging) along the property line. Maintain a wide, clean edge on your side, either as a mowed strip or a mulched border, where you can easily spot and remove any invading runners before they establish.

Removing buffalo grass is a test of persistence, but it is absolutely achievable. Start by identifying the scale of your problem and chosing the method that best fits your situation. Whether you dig, smother, or spray, the follow-up—consistent monitoring and rapid response to any green shoots—is what ultimately leads to a buffalo-grass-free garden. Remember, the goal is not just to remove it, but to replace it with plants you love, creating a landscape that brings you joy instead of frustration.