Native Plants
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Monday - July 11, 2016
From: Fredericksburg, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Turf
Title: New Lawn for a New House in Central Texas
Answered by: Anne Van Nest
QUESTION:
We have a new house with a barren yard. How soon can we successfully plant grass?ANSWER:
Nan Hampton has answered a previous Mr. Smarty Plants question on selecting grass seed for Central Texas. If you are considering seeding, here's her question and response ... What is the best drought tolerant grass for Central Texas that can be used as a low height lawn? I remember seeing a news account (Austin TV) about some UT research at the Wildflower Center that developed a new heat/drought tolerant grass mix.
Answer: You are, indeed, right that the Wildflower Center is doing ongoing research on native lawns. You can read about it in our article, Native Lawns and you can see the research plots if you visit the Wildflower Center. One of our Associates Suppliers, Native American Seed in Junction, has a 2:1 mix of Bouteloua dactyloides (buffalograss) to Bouteloua gracilis (blue grama) called Native Sun Turfgrass. They also have the other major short turf grass used in the research, Hilaria belangeri (curly mesquite).
We have a "How to Article" that you probably will want to read:
2. Native Lawns: Buffalograss gives recommendations and tips for establishing a native lawn with only buffalograss.
Additionally, there is a lot of information about using ecological native species for drought conditions, called Habitaturf on the www.wildflower.org website. Spring is the best sowing time once soil temperatures warm up (day time temperatures constantly above 85°F).
If you would like to use non-native sod for your new lawn, Texas A&M has a turfgrass information sheet for Texas that will help with the selection.
More Turf Questions
How to make a lawn into a prairie in Arlington, Texas
September 15, 2010 - I am removing lawn grasses in order to start a native prairie meadow. After grass removal, I'll put down 1/2" of compost. I will broadcast wildflower seeds on the compost. If I mulch after broadcas...
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Mixing of bluebonnets and buffalograss in a lawn
April 22, 2007 - I have moved into a house with a yard full of weeds. I would like to plant Buffalograss but understand Buffalograss is sparce and difficult to keep the weeds out. So, I was considering mixing it wit...
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Buffalo grass and other native grass for lawn in Central Texas
March 17, 2008 - Hi,
I live in Cedar Park, TX - recently moved to into a newly built house. I wanted to put some native grass (like buffalo) in the back yard.
- My back yard has slope (away from house) and front...
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Low water lawn for Austin
September 01, 2009 - I am interested in finding out more about low water lawns and was wondering if you have resources you might suggest. We have replanted with varying types of grass several times and my front lawn cont...
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Compare Natives to Lawn for Carbon Footprint Benefits in Durham, New Hampshire
September 22, 2010 - Are there carbon sequestration rate tables for turf (lawn) and bushes, shrubs, trees? I want to compare the carbon footprint benefit of lawn versus the same area put into native plantings.
view the full question and answer
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