Native Plants
![](../_images/smarty_plants.gif)
Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
![](../_images/mr_smarty_plants_logo_web_200w.jpg)
rate this answer
![](../_images/star_00.gif)
Friday - June 26, 2009
From: Austin, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Grasses or Grass-like
Title: Assessment of Turffalo buffalograss
Answered by: Nan Hampton and Julie Krosley
QUESTION:
Hi, I'm in the process of planning what type of turf to get for a new home in NW Austin. Turffalo/Tech Turf has showed up as a great possibility and I saw some mention of it back on March 05, 2008. How has the installation fared since? Thanks, RyanANSWER:
As a follow-up to the March 05, 2008 question, Mr. Smarty Plants asked Julie Krosley, our senior horticulturist, for her current assessment of our Turffalo plot. Here is what she says:"Since that original question (after the wet year) the Turffalo was weakened by all of that rain and further stressed by the drought conditions we had last year. I lost some of it and had to replug those areas this past fall. I am happy to report though it is filling in nicely and looks like it will recover. I still feel though that it isn't anymore resistant to weeds than the other buffalo grasses. I would recommend using an organic pre-emergent such as corn gluten twice a year to control weeds."
More Grasses or Grass-like Questions
Planting from pots in summer in Austin
July 01, 2009 - It's the last week in June and temperatures are going to be at 100 or more all week. I've some plants that I'm wondering about transplanting to an exposed site in this heat: muhlenbergeria lindheim...
view the full question and answer
Looking for a tall ornamental grass native to Massachusetts.
July 23, 2009 - I am looking for a tall (4-8 ft) ornamental grass, native to Massachusetts/ New England. It needs to be tolerant of moist to wet soil, and preferably colorful. Thanks for your help.
view the full question and answer
Grass for detention pond in Illinois
October 06, 2008 - Hi, please advise regarding grass for bottom of detention pond. I have pond with drawdown time 4 days, what grass could survive being underwater 4 days, and not die? Thank you.
view the full question and answer
Grass for area under pecans in Abilene, TX
January 01, 2009 - I have two large pecan trees in my back yard. Grass has always been hard to grow under these two trees, but lately all grass seems to have "vanished" and I'm left with mostly bare soil. Is there ...
view the full question and answer
Meadow garden for Colorado Springs CO
June 03, 2012 - We recently purchased a restored home on a mesa just above the downtown area of Colorado Springs on the front range. The previous owners seeded the front lawn with blue gramma and told me that all I ...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |