Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

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.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?

Share

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.

Search Smarty Plants
See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

 
rate this answer
Not Yet Rated

Wednesday - April 29, 2009

From: Possum Kingdom Lake, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Seeds and Seeding
Title: When is the best time to plant or seed after a wildfire?
Answered by: Nina Hawkins

QUESTION:

This past week our 1 acre lake property at Possum Kingdom Lake in north Texas was scorched by a wildfire. No brush, grass or bushes remain, and we're hoping not to lose all the cedar and mesquite trees. We would like to take the opportunity to plant some drought resistant native grasses and plants that require little water. Is there a recommended method and/or timing to planting or seeding after a complete burn? The fire was very hot (it burned 4 neighbors' houses to the ground) and except for the black trees our acreage is as bare as the moon. Thanks for the response from a UT alumn!

ANSWER:

Mr. Smarty Plants spoke with one of our restoration ecologists here at the Wildflower Center and he said that the best time to plant or seed native plants after a wildfire is right now - while we are getting spring rains.  As the rains decrease and the heat increases, anything you plant will have a harder time becoming established and making it through the summer without regular watering.  If you can't plant right  now, you can wait until Fall (generally, the best time to plant and seed in Texas).  By then, you may find that some native plants have taken their natural place without any help from you.  Our advice is to plant and seed what you can as soon as possible and then again in the Fall.  Take a look at our Recommended Species page for plants that are native to North Central Texas.  You can narrow your search by choosing the type of plant you are looking for (grass, shrub, tree, herb), growing conditions (moisture level and amount of sun), duration and even bloom characteristics.

 

More Seeds and Seeding Questions

Allelopathc qualities in sunflowers
June 19, 2007 - I have a sunflower patch in the corner of my backyard (Maximilians, common sunflower, and silverleaf sunflower)and would like to use the spent stalks (sans the seedheads) as mulch in the fall. Howeve...
view the full question and answer

Collecting seeds of Anemone berlandieri, windflower
March 29, 2010 - The recent rainy weather has produced a small colony of what I have identified from your web site as Anemone berlandieri Pritzel (Texas Anemone) in my backyard. Is there a way to harvest these seeds f...
view the full question and answer

Ground cover for steep slope in Washington DC
May 07, 2010 - We have a steep slope in our garden in Washington DC which has sun from noon to sun set. Could you please recommend some low maintenance plants which would be a good ground cover and limit erosion?
view the full question and answer

Standing Cypress Plants in San Antonio, TX
June 26, 2013 - I purchased seeds for standing cypress 2 years ago and this spring they look beautiful. What is the best way to harvest the seeds? Also, will the current plants come back next spring or will I have to...
view the full question and answer

Germinating Hibiscus martianus, Heartleaf hibiscus
June 11, 2013 - Is there some secret to getting Heart Leaf Hibiscus to germinate from seed? I have tried several times, but have had no luck getting them to germinate.
view the full question and answer

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.