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
Thursday - May 31, 2012
From: Manor, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Planting, Grasses or Grass-like
Title: Putting in native grass in June in Manor TX
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
We are moving into a new-built house in the middle of June. We opted to not have them put in Bermuda grass as we wanted to seed a native mix. From my understanding, mid June will be too late to start a lawn from seed. What are our options for ground cover until the fall when we can plant rye grass? I don't want to be stuck with an all dirt backyard for a long period of time. Thanks.ANSWER:
Actually, our Habiturf expert has said that a native grass lawn can be planted in the Summer, with some care. We will link you to all the information we have on Habiturf, including a video on preparing the soil for seeding.
Habiturf - The Ecological Lawn
Research on the Ecological Lawn
We agree, you don't want a bare ground yard, which would quickly become a weedy yard, but you also should avoid planting ryegrass. You will then find yourself mowing and pulling, trying to prevent reseeding in the same lawn for years to come.
More Grasses or Grass-like Questions
Native plants for a bioswale in Baltimore
July 22, 2009 - What native plants would suit a bioswale in an urban part of Baltimore City? The clay soil gets waterlogged and the site has part shade.
view the full question and answer
Native grasses for East Texas that require no mowing or watering
June 16, 2010 - What native grass can I grow in deep East Texas that would require no supplemental watering and no mowing?
view the full question and answer
Drought affecting non-native Zoysia grass in Austin
November 06, 2011 - Due to the extreme drought here in Austin this year and the watering restrictions our Zoysia lawn has suffered and appears to be dead in many areas of our lawn. Will it come back? Is there anything w...
view the full question and answer
Identifying native grasses in DeSoto TX
September 15, 2009 - I want to plant my 1.5 acre yard in a native grass; there are already some grasses growing there. How do I identify this grass? Thanks
view the full question and answer
Plants for near a salt water swimming pool
April 01, 2009 - I need some suggestions of plants that will grow next to a public salt water swimming pool, located in Bossier City, Louisiana
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |