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

Wednesday - September 06, 2006
From: Aguanga, CA
Region: California
Topic: Deer Resistant
Title: Determining best time to harvest deer grass seeds in California
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
When is the best time to harvest deer grass seeds at about 4,000 feet in southern Riverside County California??ANSWER:
To ensure that the greatest percentage of seeds you collect are viable, you need to harvest them when they are fully mature—ideally, just before they would naturally drop from the plant. Exactly when the plants bloom and the seeds mature depends on the local environmental conditions where the plants are growing. According to the Jepson Flora Project at the University of California Berkeley, the bloom period is June-September. With no firsthand knowledge of the climatic conditions of the area where you want to collect, I can't make any definitive predictions about when the seeds will be ready to collect. However, assuming that they are blooming or have already bloomed by the first part of September, you should be monitoring your plants by now to determine when the seeds are beginning to turn brown and harden.One method that can be used for collecting the seeds is to cut the seed stalk and turn the stalk head into a container, such as a bucket, and then shake the ripe seeds into the container.
More Deer Resistant Questions
Deer Resistant and Drought Tolerant Pink-Flowering Shrub for Austin, TX
April 15, 2013 - Is there a pink-flowering bush that is deer resistant and drought tolerant that would do well in Austin, TX? If not pink flowering, any color of a flowering bush is fine.
view the full question and answer
Shade Tolerant, Deer Resistant, Evergreen Hedge Suggestions for CT
April 30, 2013 - I think I am asking for a lot, but here we go… Is there a deer tolerant evergreen that can grow in the shade and create a hedge of 5 feet tall here in CT? I am not opposed to ivy covering a fence if t...
view the full question and answer
Food for deer and turkey in Oklahoma
September 10, 2009 - We recently moved to NE Oklahoma from Texas and have 7 acres, a lot of wild turkeys and wild deer. About 2-3 acres are open, with sun and partial to lots of shade as the rest is heavily wooded.
What ...
view the full question and answer
Deer resistant, sun tolerant plants for landscaping
April 19, 2007 - I live in Driftwood and am looking for flowering, deer-resistant plants for the northern side of my house; however the house turn just enough to the west that the flowerbed receives about 3 hours of a...
view the full question and answer
Protecting guavas from deer
August 06, 2007 - I have large guavas that the deer love to tear up rubbing their new antlers. When do I need to re-cover the plants with anti-deer nets to be sure to get ahead of them? One night too late and they ar...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |