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Residential Lawn Replacement |
Pavers, Paths, & Stepping Stones |
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UC Verde Buffalograss is a drought-tolerant, warm-season grass developed specifically for California conditions. Once established, it uses significantly less water than traditional turf while maintaining a clean, natural lawn appearance.
This option is ideal for homeowners looking for a walkable, low-maintenance lawn that stays green through the growing season with minimal inputs. UC Verde spreads slowly, requires less mowing, and performs well in full sun to partial shade.
Best for: homeowners who want a familiar lawn look with dramatically reduced water use.
Though it is possible to plant ‘UC Verde’® Buffalograss year round, being a warm season grass, the optimal time for planting is between April 1st and August 15th, in order to take full advantage of the warmer night and day temperatures, and the longer days experienced at this time of year for rapid establishment.
*Can be planted at this time but growth will be slowed. Please inquire for special instructions for planting during these months.
To calculate the number of plugs needed, measure the area to be installed with ‘UC Verde’® and use the following formulas for appropriate plug spacing.
(ex: plugs spaced at 15 inch centers in an area of 10,000 sq ft – 10,000X.64= 6,400 plugs)
Note: for most of California, 12” on center (o.c.) is appropriate spacing for residential planting, unless fast fill-in is desired, in which case 9” is recommended. For large projects like parks, 15” o.c. is okay but fill in time will be 4-8 weeks longer.
Rate of fill-in is a direct function of spacing and time of planting. If planting during optimal growing time at recommended spacing you should have full coverage in 12-14 weeks in inland areas and slightly longer in coastal regions.
New Lawns: All areas to be plugged should be free of construction debris, stones, living vegetation, etc. If large weed population is expected, a pre-emergent herbicide like Ronstar can be surface applied after planting (DO NOT SOIL INCORPORATE). Make sure all established grades are maintained to insure proper drainage. Renovated Lawns: For lawn conversions involving a healthy COOL SEASON grass like tall fescue, the old lawn may be removed with a sod cutter, or may be killed with a non-selective herbicide such as Round-Up, following label instructions. NOTE: IF PRIOR LAWN HAS BERMUDA, KIKUYU OR ANY OTHER RHIZOTOMOUS GRASS, DO NOT PLANT PLUGS WITHOUT PROPERLY GETTING RID OF THESE VERY INVASIVE GRASSES! We recommend a ‘triple grow-kill cycle’ for these, where application of non-selective herbicide is followed by a period of watering the area in to promote new growth; repeated 2- 3 times to ensure eradication of the persistent rhizomes. This process may take long but is worth it!
Make sure that plugs are well-watered before planting. If plugs are dry, hand water or soak the plug tray in a large container or sink.
A soil with tilled or loose to depth of 4” is easily planted by hand; harder soils may benefit from use of a soil auger to make holes for planting.
Start next to a sidewalk, building, etc. Dig or drill a 1 ¼” diameter hole about 1 ½” –inches deep. Place a plug into the hole, being sure the plug is to the bottom of the hole. Failure to place plug firmly to the bottom of hole will create an air pocket under the plug, which will reduce the chance for survival.
Planting plugs too high (above soil level) may lead plugs to air wick dry which can also lead to plant loss. The top of the plug soil should be slightly below ground surface. Measure for the next plug, using the specified spacing. Repeat installation procedure. Continue in a straight line to the end of the planting area. Move the specified spacing for the second row and continue planting. Stagger plugs as on diagram:
FOR A PRINTABLE PDF OF DETAILED 'INSTALLATION & CARE GUIDELINES' CLICK HERE
