The area is composed of coastal rangeland vegetated in saltbush, karara and buffalo grass. The central lawn is of buffalo grass. Buffalo Valley was so named on account of buffalo grass in the area. They are associated with buffalo grass and blue grama. Notably abundant grasses are blue grama, sod- forming grass, and buffalo grass. Prior to the expansion westward of settlers, the prairie was covered with buffalo grass. The film was based on the novel "Buffalo Grass" which was published in 1955. A buffalo grass lawn was laid between central and perimeter garden beds. The grasslands consisted primarily of blue grama ("Bouteloua gracilis") and buffalo grass ("Bouteloua dactyloides"). Native buffalo grass clings to the gently sloping land where the Thompsons' cattle graze.