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
Saturday - June 11, 2011
From: Spring Branch, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Grasses or Grass-like
Title: Time to Plant Blue Grama Seeds in Spring Branch, Texas
Answered by: Mike Tomme
QUESTION:
We would like to plant Blue Grama grass seeds but due to the hot weather with no rain here in central Texas, can we wait until September or even October to plant grass seeds? Thank youANSWER:
You are wise to avoid planting during the hottest months. Here is a quote from a Wildflower Center how to article on native lawns: "Early spring is the best sowing time once soil temperatures pick-up. Later in the growing season will work but takes more water. Avoid mid-summer and winter."
Since Bouteloua gracilis (Blue grama) normally produces seed from June through November so September or October would be a good time to plant seeds. However, early spring is even better because there will be a period of mild temperatures and (hopefully) rainfall to give the seeds a chance to get established before the summer heat and dryness.
A word of caution, according to the USDA County Distribution of blue grama, Spring Branch is a little east of it's normal range. It's worth a try though.
From the Image Gallery
More Grasses or Grass-like Questions
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? ...
view the full question and answer
Native grasses for horse grazing in Wichita Falls, TX
September 08, 2009 - What are the best horse grazing grasses to plant in the Wichita Falls, Texas area?
view the full question and answer
Searching for nursery with yellow nutsedge in NC
January 27, 2014 - I'd like to plant yellow nut sedge as a cover to stop erosion in a lot. Where can I buy yellow nut sedge plants near Kinston, North Carolina? Thank you.
view the full question and answer
Blue plants or flowers in Baltimore, MD
July 27, 2007 - I have a taxi company in the city called Bluecab. The headquarters is in an industrial area and the soil is tough and well, industrial. There will be no watering or maintenance done. Looks like a car ...
view the full question and answer
Plants for area around pool in Plano, Texas
October 13, 2009 - I just built an in ground pool in Plano, Texas and now want to landscape around it on my own. I am curious what plants/shrubs you recommend. There will be plants/shrubs on three sides of the pool. ...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |