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topicquestion
Plants to grow between patio pavers
March 15, 2013
We'd like to use poured concrete pavers for a deck. What grows well, whether it be grass or other, between these. We'll have 4-6" between 4 foot pavers. And would love to find something that does...
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Native lawn grass for Seabrook TX
March 12, 2013
We want to seed our lawn in Seabrook, Tx.77586 with a Natural Grass replacing our St. Augustine Grass. I think there is one that is drought resistant (only water it twice a month.) and that does not g...
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Trees and other plants for privacy along lake shoreline
March 09, 2013
We are purchasing a new home that has a 2 acre lake. We would like to add some plants/trees for privacy around the shore line. Can you suggest something that would fill in nicely and is strong enoug...
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Weedy buffalo grass from Dripping Springs, TX
March 07, 2013
I have a buffalo grass lawn. It is thin and filled with weeds. I would like to find a solution to improve my lawn. I prefer a native grass but I need to be able to control the weeds and I am not ph...
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Tropical Texas landscape from Houston
March 04, 2013
Do you know of any public (or at least photographed) place in Texas that has been landscaped entirely with native "tropical-looking" (i.e. evergreen but NOT conifer and NOT succulent/arid) species? ...
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Propagation of Texas sage from Bastrop, TX
March 01, 2013
Am I wasting my time trying to transplant texas sage runners? Any advice?
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Care for non-native Centipede grass
February 27, 2013
My lawn is Centipede. I have created a new lawn area. Can and when should I seed/overseed my lawn? I have Rye in the new area.
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What is a lawn broom from Cibolo TX
February 15, 2013
Concerning gulf muhly grass you mention using a lawn broom to get rid of the dead stalks. What is a lawn broom? What does it look like? Where can I purchase one?
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Unrecognized grass in Habiturf from Spicewood TX
February 07, 2013
I purchased 2 bags of Habiturf from the Wildflower Center and planted it in late September. Now, early February, the predominant grass is not any of the 3 supposed components of the Habiturf, but look...
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Trimming inland sea oats from Waco TX
January 30, 2013
Re: Inland Sea Oats and trimming back in early spring "It passes through most of winter a soft brown, but becomes tattered and gray by February, a good time to cut it back to the basal rosette." ...
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Ground cover for Brooklyn, NY
January 25, 2013
Hi Mr Smarty Plants, I'm looking for a fast growing ground cover for my Brooklyn, NY back yard. The area is nestled between 3 buildings and a fairly large tree, so most of the day its shady, but ...
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Need suggestions for plants for a 45 degree slope in Falls Church, VA.
January 23, 2013
Have a 45 degree hillside 50 feet wide by 60 feet long on north side of 26 story building. Very little sun with the need for soil retention plants. Would like a native plant or plants to cover area...
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Mexican feathergrass from Pflugerville, TX
January 23, 2013
How deep are the roots of Nassella tenuissima? I'm looking for something that could possibly discourage my neighbors' bermuda grass from encroaching into my native plantings.
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Need help fighting grass burs in La Grange, TX.
January 22, 2013
I have 4 acres of wildflowers planted in my front yard. Unfortunately, grassburs have crept in & I need to control them with a pre-emergent. Will this keep the wildflowers from blooming? Also, would l...
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Restoring a prairie from Austin
January 11, 2013
Restoring a mixed grass Blackland Prairie? Prairie Plant Succession? We are trying to establish climax species when an area is in a pioneering phase. Does the soil chemistry or biota change during ...
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Winter groundcover for shaded backyard in Austin
January 10, 2013
I live in south Austin and have a shaded backyard. During the summer, the lawn died and the ground is now bare. I'd like to plant some kind of winter grass or ground cover that will hold the soil i...
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Need plants for steep slope in Knoxville, TN.
January 10, 2013
I have several steep banks that have to be weed-eated each year every week. Do you know if there are any kinds of ground cover that would take over the weeds on these steep dangerous banks. I live in ...
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Native Plants for Shaded North Slope in Ohio
January 03, 2013
I have a shaded north hillside which needs erosion control plants. Mostly moss and very thin grass grows there now. Please help!
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Plants for oak shade from Whitney TX
December 24, 2012
I live in Whitney, Texas and have a number of beautiful Live Oak trees in a portion of my yard providing deep shade. Asian Jasmine grows in about 5 ft circle around them and then nothing! I have walk ...
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Low-maintenance grass for retention pond
December 21, 2012
I would like to know what would be a low-growing grass to put down for a water retention pond. We have clay and rocky soil. The incline of the sides of the retention pond are about 20 feet with gra...
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Sources for native plants from Austin TX
December 19, 2012
Hello. I am currently planning a Texas native plant garden. Unfortunately, I cannot seem to find the seeds/bulbs/roots/plants for some of the natives at local nurseries: Indian Ricegrass (Achnatherum ...
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Native bamboos from Scroggins TX
December 16, 2012
Can you please recommend a NATIVE bamboo for NE Tx? We live in the Piney Woods in a lake community.
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Ground cover under Spruces from West Chester PA
December 06, 2012
Trying to get a native groundcover (or any grass/wildflower/fern) planting established under a small stand of spruces. Established stand (30+ years old), so lots of needles on ground. Just about tot...
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Propagation of rain, oxblood, and copper lily bulbs
November 30, 2012
I have Rain Lily, Oxblood Lily, and Copper Lily bulbs out of the ground, that are putting out some green growth. I would like to plant them soon. Is it okay to plant now and in December, or do I hav...
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When to stop mowing Habiturf for seeding from Austin
November 14, 2012
I planted a native Habiturf lawn in my back yard last spring/summer and it is doing very well. The how-to mentions allowing the turf to seed out once per year to help maintain the lawn. Is there a bes...
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Identification of grasses for grazing from La Luz NM
November 05, 2012
I live in southern New Mexico. I have pictures of a few types of grass that I can't find anyone to help me identify with a name for livestock food. Can you help me with it? If so I can send the pi...
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Erosion control from Lakeland FL
November 03, 2012
What native Ground cover is best for erosion control on slope of lake-front? Prefer not too invasive for this northern facing area behind a seawall and near large Oak tree.
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Grasses for horses in Austin
October 27, 2012
Hello Mr. Smarty Plants We just bought 4.5 acres in Travis County off HWY 290. We have 3 horses we keep on it but there is very little grass in the pastures. What is the best type of grass to seed ...
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Groundcover for Bonsall, CA
October 17, 2012
I live in Bonsall, CA. (San Diego) I have 3 acres, flat and sloped that are graded dirt. (DG and sheep poop from previous owner). It is getting close to mud season and I'd like to plant winter cover...
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Groundcovers for Kingsland TX
October 11, 2012
I am looking for a list of native ground covers and grasses(not lawn grass).
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Revegetating a hillside in western Washington state
October 10, 2012
Removing several downed trees across my dock demolished the native plants growing on the hillside and the contractor pulled out their remains. The area faces east on an open freshwater bay. Close to...
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Propagation information from Queens NY
October 04, 2012
Hello. I would appreciate information on when to plant the following plants. I found on the USDA website that all these plants could withstand the cold. ALthough they can withstand harsh weather, ...
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Lawn grass for Erath County, TX
October 02, 2012
We live in Erath County in TX on ranch land. We are relatively dry. Our soil is combination of clay and red soil (brought in for building pad), and sandy. We have a sloped area, about 30%, that we w...
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Nutgrass in Lakeway TX Habiturf
September 30, 2012
I just installed a new septic system with drip field. Planted habiturf over the whole area. The habiturf is doing good, but I was away for a while and the nut grass has taken over several areas. It s...
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Need plants for a slope in KY.
September 29, 2012
I have a slope in my back yard that is mostly a slate shelf, grass and Weeds will grow but not well, very spotty. I am wanting a ground cover that blooms. Would like to not have to mow. This is a ve...
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Removing St. Augustine for natives in Grapevine TX
September 29, 2012
We have St Augustine in our yard and we hate it. It guzzles water, we have to cut it often, and it's thick and hard to work with. Anyway, we want to replace it with a combination of some kind of g...
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Grasses for Erosion control in Iowa
September 27, 2012
We have a sloping yard in the midwest that gets 2-4 hours of sun during the warm weather. When we have large rainfalls, the water just pours down the slope causing a lot of erosion to the surrounding ...
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Non-native, and/or invasive bermudagrass, St. Augustine and Pistache from Houston
September 24, 2012
Our St. Augustine lawn died suddenly this summer from either chinch bugs or grub worms (or both?), and a multitude of weeds and native Bermuda have taken over the area. Now that the weather has cooled...
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Weeds in Buffalograss from Edmond OK
September 20, 2012
We have a patch of buffalograss surrounded by patio/flower garden/vegetable garden. We like B-grass, but are getting a lot of weeds despite preemergents, and some bermuda had appeared. Are there h...
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Non-native, invasive rescue grass in meadow garden in Smithville TX
September 20, 2012
Despite numerous efforts, a solid field of cool weather rescue grass keeps desired wildflower and grass seeds from successfully growing on my "vacant" lot in town. I plan to I put out a 6 ml plasti...
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Need information about grasses for cattle grazing in Weatherford, TX.
September 16, 2012
Need info on what I can plant for cattle to graze thru winter. grasshoppers and drought have decimated our coastal hay for past 2 yrs.Is there anything we can treat all the weeds with besides chemic...
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Low maintenance grass for shade in Conroe, TX
September 15, 2012
What is the best low maintenance grass to plant in front lawn shaded, no traffic area?
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Plants for streambank area in Oregon
September 14, 2012
I am ready to replant a streambank area with native plants..what do you recommend for the Willamette Valley in Oregon? Thanks much!
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Planting buffalograss from Surfside Beach SC
September 14, 2012
How do I plant buffalograss along a lake? Do I just spread the seeds?
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Yard grass that cows like to eat in Dale, TX
September 03, 2012
I need to know of a good grass seed to plant in the yard that will also be eaten by our cows. Prefer one that doesn't have any type of stickers/cocker burrs.
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Deer resistant plants from New Braunfels TX
August 31, 2012
I have a 1/2 yard covered by a tree, shady. Bermuda grass previous owner planted has all turned brown this summer. I don't have lots of money to work with but would love to landscape that side of fr...
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Need plants to replace cedars on a 40 degree slope in Boerne, TX.
August 28, 2012
My backyard is a roughly 40 degree slope that is covered with cedars. The slope is basically all rock, what can I grow here to replace the cedar which drink too much water. I would still like the area...
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Native plants both deer resistant and good for erosion from North Oaks MN
August 23, 2012
We have several partially sunny areas on hills that are prone to both deer and erosion. Our goal is to reduce runoff in an effort to preserve the watershed that provides tap water to many citizens of ...
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Slope Erosion control for Fairview NC
August 19, 2012
Please recommend plants to help with soil erosion on a slope. The soil is red clay and area gets full sun. The slope is approximately 12' x 12'. I live in Fairview, NC
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Need suggestions for native grasses to stabilize hillside Kerrville, TX.
August 18, 2012
We have a steep slope at the back of our property in "caleche" territory in Kerrville. It is about 80 feet wide by 40 feet and ends at a wash. It is outside of our fenced yard and we are in city lim...
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topicquestion

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