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.
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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.

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Saturday - March 20, 2010
From: Colorado Springs, CO
Region: Rocky Mountain
Topic: Non-Natives, Compost and Mulch, Turf, Grasses or Grass-like
Title: Lawn Maintenance in Colorado
Answered by: Anne Bossart
QUESTION:
When do I begin to fertilize and water my grass in Colorado Springs? I am selling my house and want my lawn to look green?ANSWER:
Sorry, you have come to the wrong place for that sort of information as the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center promotes the sustainable use and conservation of native wildflowers, plants and landscapes.
You do not mention what type of turf grass you have on your lawn, but since native turf grasses are not very common, yours is likely a species we cannot help you with. If it were a native grass it would be adapted to your conditions and would require neither water nor fertilizer (but would still be happy if you added compost twice a year, to amend the soil).
We recommend you contact your local county agricultural extension office or a local lawn maintanance company. They will be able to advise you when to expect your lawn to break dormancy and start growing. Before that time, it is not a good idea to water or fertilize it.
More Compost and Mulch Questions
Holding bare soil before sowing native grasses in spring.
November 03, 2009 - I want to try your buffalo/bluegrama/curly mesquite. Right now my yard is ploughed. What should I do until spring? I assume I should add living compost to the top 3", plant bluegrass for now, and ...
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Problems with non-native Cleyera and Red-tip photinia
June 01, 2008 - I planted a row of Cleyera in a bed that receives sunlight for about 3 hours during the middle of the day. My problem is that a number of the plants are dying. It begins with the leaves on one small...
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Help with composting in Katy TX
March 19, 2010 - I've gone on line and tried to figure out what I'm doing wrong with my compost pile. What exactly is the proper ratio, and the types of plant matter and layers to achieve the optimum decomposition i...
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Can oak pollen be composted?
April 28, 2015 - I have quite a few live oaks in my backyard and my flower beds are filled with pollen stuff. Can I compost and mulch over this or is it a good idea to rake as much as I can out first?
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Holding soil on a bank in Goldsboro, NC
July 25, 2010 - I live in Goldsboro, NC on a small ridge with a very steep bank on one side of our property. What native plants can we plant on the bank to help hold the soil. Also, what would be best to plant on t...
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