Sharp's Improved II Buffalo Grass

Buffalo grass is the most genuinely "native lawn" option available for the American Great Plains and semi-arid West. While most lawn grasses were imported from Europe or Africa, buffalo grass (Buchloe dactyloides) evolved right here — surviving centuries of drought, bison herds, and prairie fires. Sharp's Improved II is a selected cultivar with better density and color than wild-type buffalo grass.

The water savings are the headline feature, and they're not marketing hype. Buffalo grass has survived on the Great Plains for millennia with nothing but natural rainfall. In most of zones 5-8, you can maintain a buffalo grass lawn without supplemental irrigation. Period. In an era of water restrictions and rising utility bills, that's a powerful argument.

Important note: you're buying burrs, not pure seed. Buffalo grass seed naturally comes encased in a hard burr that inhibits germination. Sharp Bros. pre-treats and primes the burrs to improve germination rates, but you should still soak them in water for 24-48 hours before planting. Even with treatment, germination is slow (14-30 days) and establishment takes 3-5 months. This is not a quick-results grass.

Here's where we need to be completely honest: buffalo grass is an advanced-level choice. It's slow to establish, which means aggressive weeds can move in during the long grow-in period. You'll likely need a pre-emergent herbicide strategy. It also goes dormant (turns brown) from late fall through mid-spring — that's 4-5 months of tan lawn in many climates. And it only performs in full sun; shade is a dealbreaker.

But for the right homeowner — someone in Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Colorado, or the western reaches of the transition zone who wants a native, sustainable lawn that doesn't require a sprinkler system — Sharp's Improved II buffalo grass is a genuinely responsible and ultimately rewarding choice. Just bring patience.