When to Plant Native Grass?

Native grass is good for grazing.

Native grass is an asset to the landscape. Meadows, pastures and ornamental gardens planted with drought- and insect-resistant native grasses encourage the growth of other native plants, improving the environment.

Plant for the Season

There are many native grasses, both warm-season and cool-season. In addition, a diversity of varieties exists. Warm-season grasses should be planted in early spring, while late-summer planting is optimum for cool-season grasses. Native grasses may be annual or perennial.

Planting Area

Ready the planting area a few weeks ahead of time, and cultivate lightly -- no more than 2 inches deep. This leaves the ever-present weed seed buried away from the sun and discourages weed growth in the newly growing grass. Plant native grasses at appropriate times for your climate -- generally April or May for warm-season native grass and September or October for cool-season grasses.

Dormant Seeding Technique

The method of dormant seeding allows seed to overwinter in the ground and be ready to germinate when the soil warms the following spring. Native grasses are seeded in fall, when temperatures are cool enough not to encourage germination. When using this method, a weed-removal practice, such as solarization should be completed before seeding.

References

• Texas A&M University Extension; Buffalo Grass; Richard L. Duble
• Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension; Frequently Asked Questions; Chris Rice
• Seedland: Native Grass Mixtures: How to Plant
• Purdue University Cooperative Extension; Cool-Season Grass Seed Production; Ehlke, et.al.,1990