Native Plants
![](../_images/smarty_plants.gif)
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 is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
![](../_images/mr_smarty_plants_logo_web_200w.jpg)
rate this answer
![](../_images/star_20.gif)
Tuesday - August 14, 2012
From: Spicewood, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Turf, Grasses or Grass-like
Title: Grass mixture for Spicewood TX
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
I want to seed a bare sand limestone area about 2 acres in size. Assuming "normal" Texas hill country weather and the availability of moderate water for sprinkling is there one mixture that you recommend that would maintain a green feel most the year?ANSWER:
First we must ask you a question - is your ground in the sun? Habiturf, a newly developed grass mix from a team headed by the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, needs 5 to 6 hours of full sun a day. Please read Habiturf: The Ecological Lawn, first watching the video on how to plant the grass. Then, further down that same page are 3 links to other articles that will give you even more information. It needs to be watered and weeded when it is newly in the ground, but after that it will need to be watered very little, and will go dormant instead of dying in dry spells. It is a soft brown when it is dormant and looks far better than a dried-up dead "lawn." It also doesn't require a great deal of mowing, which should be important to you with 2 acres to take care of.
More Turf Questions
Difficult lawn redo in Austin, TX area.
April 01, 2010 - In Oak Hill section of Austin and our 2 year old house had St Augustine dumped atop the raped soil. After the drought of 09 it is all dead. We have most of our large yard native but need grass aroun...
view the full question and answer
Mowing Bouteloua dactyloides (Buffalograss)
July 05, 2014 - Dear Mr or Ms Smarty Plants,
Although I see you have posted some information about mowing Buffalograss it doesn't seem to answer my question. Will it hurt to mow the buffalograss flags off? Will t...
view the full question and answer
Buffalograss as lawn replacement in Austin, TX
March 12, 2007 - Mr. Smarty Plants,
I have just moved into a house that has a yard full of weeds. I was planning on killing the existing ground cover and starting buffalo grass, when I came upon several articles on...
view the full question and answer
Elimination of non-native, invasive King Ranch bluestem in lawn
June 06, 2006 - How can I eliminate an annual infestation of king ranch bluestem in my bermuda lawn?
Thanks.
view the full question and answer
Native replacements for non-native St. Augustine lawn
April 20, 2006 - Hi. We would like to reseed our lawn. It is currently St. Augustine. What would you suggest for a low maintanence, drought tolerant grass or ground cover. We would prefer to have something that do...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |