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
Wednesday - November 14, 2012
From: Austin, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Seeds and Seeding, Grasses or Grass-like
Title: When to stop mowing Habiturf for seeding from Austin
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
I planted a native Habiturf lawn in my back yard last spring/summer and it is doing very well. The how-to mentions allowing the turf to seed out once per year to help maintain the lawn. Is there a best time of year to do this? How long should I stop mowing to let it seed out or how can I tell when the seeds are ready?ANSWER:
Congratulations on your lawn, we are glad it is doing so well. We are sure you read our How To Article Native Lawns: Habiturf - The Ecological Lawn before you began, but we suggest you read it again to refresh your memory. Of particular interest relevant to your question are the paragraphs on Mowing and Sowing. We concluded from re-reading these that you do not want to be mowing or sowiing seed in late Fall or Winter, and that the best time for seeding is Spring. A lawn kept at about 6" will be producing a few seed heads all during the growing season.
More Seeds and Seeding Questions
When is the best time to plant or seed after a wildfire?
April 29, 2009 - This past week our 1 acre lake property at Possum Kingdom Lake in north Texas was scorched by a wildfire. No brush, grass or bushes remain, and we're hoping not to lose all the cedar and mesquite tr...
view the full question and answer
Controlling erosion with grasses in Dallas, TX
October 19, 2013 - After consulting with several geological engineers and the city of Dallas engineers - we know that our severe erosion problem can only be fixed by building a 35' foot high gabion wall about 150' in ...
view the full question and answer
When does Bouteloua dactyloides (Buffalograss) go to seed in southern US?
August 06, 2014 - When does Bouteloua dactyloides go to seed in the southern United States, mainly Texas?
view the full question and answer
Die-off of Texas bluebells
June 04, 2008 - I live in southeast Travis County east of IH35 in the Blackland Prairie. We have a gorgeous stand of Texas bluebells. Last year, the bluebells would look fine, then they would turn brown and die for...
view the full question and answer
Agarita and Mexican Buckeye not flowering or fruiting.
December 11, 2012 - The Greenbelt behind our home has a ton of agarita and Mexican buckeye, but they never bloom or berry. The pigeon berry is very happily doing both all year. Any suggestions for helping the agerita a...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |