- Dreaming of a beautiful, drought-tolerant lawn that requires minimal upkeep? Look no further than the Prestige Buffalograss Plugs, a proven performer developed by the University of Nebraska. These hardy grass plugs are designed to thrive in challenging conditions, offering an eco-friendly and cost-effective solution for homeowners seeking a vibrant green space with less effort.
- Low Water Usage, Low Maintenance, Environmentally Friendly: This is a cornerstone of the Prestige Buffalograss Plugs, making it an ideal choice for water-conscious consumers and those aiming for a sustainable landscape. Its natural resilience means less watering, mowing, and fertilizing.
- Developed by the University of Nebraska from native buffalograss: This pedigree speaks volumes about the quality and adaptability of the grass. Its origin from native species ensures it’s well-suited to local environments and possesses inherent disease and pest resistance.
- USDA Zones 5-11 Full Sun: The broad USDA zone compatibility, coupled with its preference for full sun, makes this buffalograss a versatile option for a wide range of climates and yard exposures. It’s built to handle intense sunlight and varying temperatures within these zones.
- Each Tray Covers 70 – 160 sq/ft: This feature provides excellent flexibility for planning your lawn project. Depending on your chosen planting density, a single tray offers significant coverage, from 70 sq/ft when planted on 12″ centers to an impressive 160 sq/ft on 18″ centers, optimizing your investment.
- 70 Plugs Per Tray (1.5″ X 2″ Plugs): You receive a generous quantity of healthy plugs in each tray. The 1.5″ x 2″ size is standard and manageable for planting, ensuring a good density from the start for faster establishment.
- Exceptional Water Savings: The inherent drought tolerance of buffalograss means significantly less watering compared to traditional turf varieties. This translates to lower water bills and a more sustainable approach to lawn care.
- Minimal Mowing and Maintenance: Once established, Prestige Buffalograss Plugs grow slowly and don’t require frequent mowing. This drastically reduces the time and effort you’ll spend on lawn upkeep, freeing you up for other activities.
- Environmentally Conscious Choice: By requiring less water and fewer chemical inputs like fertilizers and pesticides, this buffalograss variety is an excellent choice for eco-friendly landscaping and protecting local ecosystems.
- Proven Genetic Lineage: Being developed by the University of Nebraska, you’re getting a scientifically selected and tested variety that is known for its hardiness and performance in a wide range of conditions.
- Flexible Coverage Options: The ability to cover between 70 to 160 sq/ft per tray, depending on planting distance, allows you to tailor the density and coverage rate to your specific needs and budget.
- Establishment Speed: While buffalograss is known for its resilience, establishment can take time. Planting Prestige Buffalograss Plugs on 12-inch centers will lead to denser coverage sooner than planting on 18-inch centers. For faster establishment, closer spacing is recommended, but requires more plugs.
- Water Efficiency: The product is designed for low water usage, meaning it can survive on natural rainfall in many regions once established. During extreme drought, supplemental watering may be necessary, but much less than with cool-season grasses.
- Sunlight Requirements: This grass thrives in full sun conditions. For areas with significant shade, buffalograss may not perform optimally and could become thin or susceptible to disease.
- Durability and Resilience: Developed from native buffalograss, it possesses excellent wear tolerance and can withstand foot traffic once mature. It also shows good resistance to common lawn diseases and pests.
- Nutrient Needs: Buffalograss generally has low fertility requirements. It often does not need fertilization, contributing to its low-maintenance and eco-friendly profile.
- Homeowners seeking low-maintenance lawns: If you want a beautiful lawn without the constant chore of mowing, watering, and fertilizing, this is an excellent option.
- Drought-prone regions or water-restricted areas: Its exceptional drought tolerance makes it a smart choice for areas where water conservation is a priority.
- Sunny yards with full sun exposure: This buffalograss variety thrives in direct sunlight and is ideal for open, sunny lawns.
- Eco-conscious individuals and sustainable landscaping: For those looking to reduce their environmental footprint, this grass requires fewer resources and chemicals.
- Establishing new lawns or overseeding areas: The plugs provide a strong starting point for creating a new lawn or filling in bare patches in an existing one.
- Anyone living within USDA Zones 5-11: The specified hardiness zones ensure successful growth and survival of the grass in a wide range of climates.
- Drought Tolerance: A primary selling point of buffalograss. Ensure the product explicitly mentions low water usage.
- Maintenance Level: Look for descriptions highlighting low maintenance, indicating less need for mowing, fertilizing, and pest control.
- Origin and Development: Grasses developed by reputable institutions like the University of Nebraska often indicate superior genetics and performance.
- Coverage Area per Tray: This is crucial for estimating how many trays you’ll need. The range provided (70-160 sq/ft) offers flexibility but requires careful planning based on your desired planting density.
- Number of Plugs and Size: More plugs generally mean faster establishment, and the plug size (1.5″ x 2″) is standard for this type of planting.
- Climate Suitability: Check the recommended USDA zones to ensure compatibility with your region. This product is suitable for USDA Zones 5-11.
- Sunlight Availability: This buffalograss requires full sun. If your lawn has significant shade, consider alternative grass types or planting locations.
- Soil Type: While buffalograss is adaptable, it prefers well-drained soils. Amending heavy clay soils with compost can improve establishment.
- Planting Density: Decide on your desired coverage speed. Planting on 12″ centers offers denser coverage faster but requires more plugs for the same area compared to 18″ centers.
- Watering Needs During Establishment: While low-water once mature, newly planted plugs will require consistent moisture to establish a strong root system.
- Weed Control: A dense, healthy buffalograss lawn will naturally outcompete many weeds. However, during the establishment phase, some manual weed removal might be necessary.
Key Features That Stand Out
What We Like
Performance Analysis
Best For
Buying Guide
Key Features to Look For
Important Materials
The primary material is live buffalograss plugs. As a living plant product, the quality of the root system and the vitality of the grass are paramount. The plugs are derived from a specific variety developed for enhanced traits.
Essential Factors to Consider
Budget Planning
The cost of Prestige Buffalograss Plugs will vary based on the vendor and current promotions. Consider the coverage area per tray when comparing prices. A tray covering up to 160 sq/ft on wider spacing offers more value for larger areas if you can wait for full coverage. Factor in the cost of soil amendments or any initial watering equipment if needed. This product’s long-term benefits of reduced water and maintenance costs can lead to significant savings over time compared to traditional turf grasses.
When to Buy
The ideal time to plant buffalograss plugs is during the warmer months when the grass is actively growing. Late spring through early summer is generally recommended, allowing the plugs ample time to establish before cooler weather sets in. Avoid planting during extreme heat waves, as this can stress the new plugs. Purchasing when the weather is consistently warm and moist can aid in quicker rooting and establishment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best time of year to plant Prestige Buffalograss Plugs?
The ideal planting time is from late spring through early summer when temperatures are consistently warm, and there is adequate moisture for establishment. This allows the plugs to root well before cooler weather arrives.
How much water do these plugs need once established?
Once established, Prestige Buffalograss is highly drought-tolerant and requires minimal watering, often surviving on natural rainfall. Supplemental watering may only be needed during prolonged periods of extreme drought.
Will this grass grow in shady areas?
No, this buffalograss variety requires full sun to thrive. It will not perform well in areas with significant shade and may become thin or susceptible to disease.
How quickly will the plugs spread to cover the entire area?
The speed of coverage depends on planting density and environmental conditions. Planting on 12″ centers will provide faster coverage than planting on 18″ centers, with full coverage potentially taking one to two growing seasons.
Can I use these plugs in USDA Zone 4 or Zone 12?
These plugs are rated for USDA Zones 5-11. They are not recommended for Zone 4 due to potentially insufficient winter hardiness, nor for Zone 12 as they may struggle with extreme heat and humidity beyond their optimal range.
What is the coverage area if I plant the plugs closer together?
If you plant the 70 plugs on 12″ centers, one tray will cover approximately 70 sq/ft. This closer spacing leads to faster establishment of a denser lawn.
Do I need to fertilize Prestige Buffalograss?
Generally, buffalograss has very low fertility needs and often does not require fertilization, making it a low-maintenance and environmentally friendly choice.
Final Thoughts
The Prestige Buffalograss Plugs offer a compelling solution for anyone seeking an attractive, eco-friendly, and exceptionally low-maintenance lawn. Its development by the University of Nebraska ensures a quality product, and its drought tolerance is a significant benefit for homeowners in many regions. While establishment requires some initial care, the long-term rewards of reduced watering and mowing are substantial.