Tired of Mowing - Grow Buffalo Grass

Buffalo grass is a tough short grass that is native to the prairies of North America.  Unlike other grass seed, the buffalo grass only grows to six inches which means you will not need to mow as often.  


Buffalo grass is a warm-season perennial that is a good seed choice for areas that have drought conditions in the summer.  Unlike other grasses that require hydration and turn brown when the summer temperatures soar into the 100's, buffalo grass does not bolt.  It thrives in hot dry weather and stays a lovely blue-green color.   When you plant buffalo grass seed you will save money by not having to water the grass as much and you will save energy because you will not have to mow weekly.   

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Mature Buffalo Grass Grown from Seed - 

Husbands Love Buffalo Grass

My husband does not like to mow our side yard because it slopes down and has a rocky terrain. So a few years back we decided to put down buffalo grass seed in this area that faces the woods.

We cleared the area and then amended the poor soil with topsoil before broadcasting the grass seed in the sunny side of the yard.  You can run the seed over with an ATV and it will plant it at an inch deep.  Or you can spread topsoil over it.  

My husband loves that it is low maintenance seed as he does not have to mow the area where the buffalo grass grows.   The grass is a lovely blue-green shade throughout the warm season months. In the fall the grass does die off quickly after a frost, it turns a golden brown and it remains this color until mid-spring.  

Caring for Buffalo Grass

We watered the newly planted grass seed daily in the morning to help the roots grow deeply.  We continued to water it in the morning throughout the first summer season with an irrigation system. The water that we used to water the buffalo grass was half of what we used for our perennial grass seed blend lawn. Buffalo grass will stay green with less water and is a good grass seed for water restricted areas.

The grass seed grew in slowly and we saw a lot of weeds the first year but in the second year, the grass filled in nicely and the weeds were choked out.  

Buffalo grass is slow to turn green in the spring but my husband does not care because he says it is worth it as long as he does not have to mow the side yard. 

View this YouTube video to learn more about Buffalo Grass

Tips:

1. Resists pests and disease
2. A two-pound bag of seed covers 1,000 square feet
3. Chokes out weeds within a year and forms a thick mat.
4. Grass does not grow well in part shade or full shade, best to plant in full sun.
5. Plant in well-drained soil
6. This grass is for hot, dry climates. Not recommended for areas that get 25 inches of rain annually.
7. Buffalo grass Grows well in heavy soil.  If you have soil like mine that has rocks in it then amend your soil with manure or compost before planting.

 

Growing Tips for Coleus

Gardeners grow coleus plants for their beautiful foliage.  The oval single or variegated leaves of this annual are what make this plant stand out in your shade garden.   

I grow coleus as a border plant along my garden path and in my Hosta garden. I also grow them in containers.  Coleus plants come in a variety of colors; purple, green, brown, red, chartreuse, magenta pink, orange, and yellow to name a few of the brilliant colors that are available. 

When you grow coleus plants you will add eye-appealing color and interest to your shade gardens that look beautiful until fall frost.

Grow coleus from seed, cutting, or by transplanting into your garden from a nursery-grown pot.  If you plan on growing from seed then start indoors by planting 3 seeds for 1 plant.  

Grow the seed in the center of the seed-growing kit.  Plant indoors 8 to 10 weeks before the last frost date.  Seeds need light to germinate; I have found that the indirect light of an artificial grow light is a good way to grow coleus seeds indoors. 

I set the grow kits off to the side of the light.  Seeds germinate in 21 days.   Transplant outdoors after the threat of spring frost has passed and the soil has warmed.  

Choose a garden that gets partial shade throughout the day.  You can grow coleus in the ground or plant in containers.  For best-growing results plant coleus in well-drained soil that is amended with compost or manure.  For containers grow in Miracle Grow potting soil.  Make sure the containers have good drainage. 

Plant coleus in soil that is loose.  If there are clumps of soil then break it up with a shovel or by hand. Amend the soil with compost or manure and plant a nursery-grown plant at the same depth as the container that it was grown in.   Feed with water-based fertilizer after planting coleus, for best results feed every two weeks.

For multiple plants allow room to grow by spacing coleus one foot apart in the ground.  For containers or window box gardens, you can grow plants closer.  When mature the plant will be 12 inches in height with that the same spread.

Mulch the coleus garden beds with organic matter; chopped leaf matter, pine needles, or chipped tree bark.  This organic mulch will aid in keeping the soil moist, deter weeds, and will enrich the soil.

Other Tips

If your coleus plants' leaves are wilting this is a sign of too much light. If there is not enough light then the leaf color will fade. Getting the right exposure to light is imperative for the health of your coleus plant. 

For best results keep the soil evenly moist by not wet and avoid allowing the soil to dry.  When the soil is dry it will put stress on the coleus plant.  Container plants dry out quickly and may need to be watered daily.   

Learn tips for pruning and the history of the coleus plant by viewing this YouTube video

 

 

 

 

Diatomaceous Earth for Iris Gardens: Natural Borer Control

Every spring, my iris garden wakes up in a burst of color but before those blooms appear, I make sure the soil is clean and protected. One of the most effective and natural ways I’ve found to keep my irises healthy is by using diatomaceous earth food grade. This fine white powder is made from fossilized aquatic organisms and works as a powerful, chemical‑free pest control. It kills iris borers and other garden insects physically, not chemically, making it safe for pets, wildlife, and pollinators. Over the years, this simple treatment has helped me grow stronger plants and prevent the heartbreak of losing irises to hidden pests.

🌸 Why I Use Diatomaceous Earth on Irises

After winter, I start cleaning up my gardens by removing fallen oak leaves and debris. Wet leaves can attract iris borers that feed on tubers and weaken the plants. If left untreated, they’ll eventually kill the irises. I act quickly by dusting the beds with diatomaceous earth food grade it kills pests by dehydrating them when they crawl through the powder. Because it’s non‑toxic, I can use it freely around my garden without worrying about harming my pets or the birds that visit.

Healthy irises after natural pest control treatment. Photo by Susang6

🌿 Step‑by‑Step: How to Apply Diatomaceous Earth to Iris Beds

Here’s the exact process I follow each spring to protect my iris garden from borers and other pests:

1. Choose the right day. Work on a calm, dry day with no wind. This prevents the powder from blowing away and ensures even coverage.
2. Clear the bed. Remove all leaf debris, mulch, and weeds around your irises. Borers hide under damp leaves, so keeping the area clean is essential.
3. Loosen the soil. Gently loosen the dirt around each tuber with a hand fork or trowel. This helps the diatomaceous earth reach pests living below the surface.
4. Prepare your duster. Fill a sugar shaker or squeeze duster with food‑grade diatomaceous earth. Always wear a fine‑particle ventilator mask to avoid inhaling dust.
5. Apply around tubers. Shake the powder directly into the loosened soil around each tuber, then lightly cover it with dirt. This kills pests living in the soil.
6. Dust the entire bed. Sprinkle DE across the surface of the iris bed, coating leaves and soil lightly. This prevents above‑ground pests from feeding on your plants.
7. Let nature help. Spring showers will wash the powder deeper into the soil, continuing to kill pests below the surface. Reapply every 4–6 weeks or after heavy rain.

🌼 Watch for Signs of Iris Borers

Keep an eye on your plants throughout the season. If you notice yellow streaks on leaves or insects crawling near the tubers, retreat the area with another light dusting of diatomaceous earth food grade. Early treatment prevents damage and keeps your irises thriving.

💡 Notes from Susang6

A clean garden is a healthy garden. Keep your iris beds free of weeds and debris so the plants can absorb sunlight and nutrients. Healthy irises reward you with large, vibrant flowers. Using diatomaceous earth food grade regularly keeps pests under control and helps your garden flourish naturally.

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Diatomaceous Earth for Iris Gardens: Natural Pest Control

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Treat iris gardens with food‑grade diatomaceous earth to control borers safely and grow healthy, beautiful blooms without chemicals.