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
Friday - May 29, 2015
From: Austin, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Meadow Gardens, Seeds and Seeding, Grasses or Grass-like
Title: When to harvest native grass seeds?
Answered by: Guy Thompson
QUESTION:
We are trying to restore native grasses to a small pasture between Oak Hill and Dripping Springs. Last spring (2014), we seeded a mix of sideoats grama, little bluestem, dahl bluestem, and sprangletop. All came up nicely and currently have seeds on the stems. WHEN WILL THE SEEDS FALL? We want to graze our mini donkeys in the pasture but want the grasses to successfully reseed. We mowed once, early in the spring, before the grasses put on seed to help control weeds. Thank you!ANSWER:
Grass seed ripening is quite dependent on weather conditions. In a rainy year such as we are having there might be a significant delay. It is recommended to wait until the seeds feel firm or hard before mowing. To be on the safe side you might wait until the seed come off fairly easily in your hand when you draw the seed head through your fingers. This may be as late as mid-summer. Most mature grass seeds are held on the plant for 10-15 days. Bluestem grass seeds mature later than most other species, ripening in late summer.
Your grass species are all perennial, so they will regrow next year without the addition of fresh seed. However, the addition of new seed will give a denser sward. So ask your donkeys to be patient this year.
More Seeds and Seeding Questions
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...
view the full question and answer
Nimblewill grass for a shady area in Dallas
April 04, 2013 - i have a very shady backyard and reading some of your post I think Muhlenbergia schreberi (nimblewill) will survive.
Two questions:
Is it drought resistant?
Where can I buy the seeds?
view the full question and answer
Seeding the opposite bank of a canal in Texas
June 26, 2013 - We have a canal in our backyard. I thought it would be lovely to have flowers growing on the opposite bank. I could get to it to toss seeds, but not plant anything in the dirt because the ground slop...
view the full question and answer
Propagation of Simsia calva from Albuquerque NM
January 27, 2014 - Hi - I was given some simsia calva seed from the LBJ wildflower center. It doesn't have a lot of info about starting the seeds, so any help is much appreciated! I tried starting some outdoors last ye...
view the full question and answer
Propagation of Blackfoot daisy seed
July 21, 2015 - I have a three yr old Blackfoot daisy. How do you root Blackfoot daisy seeds? When is the best month to grow these seeds?
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |