Native Plants
Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
Saturday - June 11, 2011
From: Spring Branch, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Grasses or Grass-like
Title: Time to Plant Blue Grama Seeds in Spring Branch, Texas
Answered by: Mike Tomme
QUESTION:
We would like to plant Blue Grama grass seeds but due to the hot weather with no rain here in central Texas, can we wait until September or even October to plant grass seeds? Thank youANSWER:
You are wise to avoid planting during the hottest months. Here is a quote from a Wildflower Center how to article on native lawns: "Early spring is the best sowing time once soil temperatures pick-up. Later in the growing season will work but takes more water. Avoid mid-summer and winter."
Since Bouteloua gracilis (Blue grama) normally produces seed from June through November so September or October would be a good time to plant seeds. However, early spring is even better because there will be a period of mild temperatures and (hopefully) rainfall to give the seeds a chance to get established before the summer heat and dryness.
A word of caution, according to the USDA County Distribution of blue grama, Spring Branch is a little east of it's normal range. It's worth a try though.
From the Image Gallery
More Grasses or Grass-like Questions
Plants to prevent erosion in IL
August 02, 2012 - We just got done building a house and have leveled all of the dirt piles. We do have a row of straw bales to help prevent the dirt from washing onto the neighbors property. It is the wrong time of ye...
view the full question and answer
Non-monoculture turf grass for Florida from Sarasota FL
April 28, 2012 - I am looking for a non-monoculture turf grass suitable for the Florida climate. Will Habiturf work, or perhaps you have some other suggestions? Please advise.
view the full question and answer
Riverbank Plants for Minnesota
September 04, 2013 - I would like to stablize a steep riverbank slope along the Upper Mississippi in St. Cloud MN. The slopes are almost 1:1. We are using an open cell concrete matt in which we are going to plant native...
view the full question and answer
Do white-tailed deer consume King Ranch bluestem?
October 25, 2013 - Will white-tail deer in central Texas consume King Ranch bluestem ?
view the full question and answer
Trimming of native muhly grasses
February 11, 2008 - Do pine muhly, gulf muhly, and bull muhly need an "annual haircut"? I started wondering after reading that Lindheimer's muhly does not have to be cut back each year. I cut back all my non-muhly n...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |