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 is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
Saturday - March 17, 2012
From: Round Rock, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Planting, Grasses or Grass-like
Title: Prospects for newly-seeded Habiturf lawn from Round Rock TX
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
Re: Habiturf installation Can you provide feedback about how my newly seeded Habiturf lawn should look at various stages? I think I prepped the lawn properly, but I may have planted too early (March 2-3). We had a trend of warm days and expected rainfall, and I remembered how quickly winter turned to summer in 2011, so I dove in. 11-12 days later, I have a few sprouts, but they are tiny and far-spaced. The larger seeds in the mix don't seem to have germinated. I suspect Habiturf a slower-growing mix, but I have no idea what is "normal" and am a little nervous. So..will the germination continue/improve as we get later into the season? Do I need to continue watering daily until I see more sprouts, or do I follow the directions and back off to watering every few days? Or have I messed up and need to reseed? Thanks--ANSWER:
We do not personally have any experience with planting a Habiturf lawn, but after attending a seminar with Dr. Mark Simmons, one of the developers of the grass, we would say you are doing all right. Without visiting your lawn, we really can't say if your results match the research plots at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. If you have not already done so, we suggest you read these articles written by experts on the subject, and match what you have done so far with the instructions in the articles.
Native Lawns: Habiturf - the Ecological Lawn Under "Frequently Asked Questions" on this website are links to two suppliers of this seed.
More Grasses or Grass-like Questions
Ornamental grasses for North Carolina coastal region
March 09, 2016 - What ornamental grasses will grow in pure sand and withstand salt-laden winds in zones 8 a and 8 b?
view the full question and answer
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...
view the full question and answer
Bioswale in Orange CA
September 08, 2009 - Mr. Smarty Plants,
I'm looking for plants for a bio-swale in Southern California. Do you have any suggestions for plants that do well in water but can also can handle long dry summers?
view the full question and answer
Carex texensis for Gainesville, Florida
August 31, 2013 - I am interested in planting Carex texensis in Gainesville Florida (zone 9). The site is part shade with little water. However, I do not see it listed as being used anywhere in Florida. Is it restric...
view the full question and answer
Cause of yellowing buffalo grass (Bouteloua dactyloides)
June 07, 2008 - We are getting large yellow areas in our buffalo grass lawn and think this is probably due to grub worms. Are grub worms the likely culprit and if so, what is the best way to get rid of them? We don...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |