Native Plants
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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.
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Monday - July 11, 2016
From: Fredericksburg, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Turf
Title: New Lawn for a New House in Central Texas
Answered by: Anne Van Nest
QUESTION:
We have a new house with a barren yard. How soon can we successfully plant grass?ANSWER:
Nan Hampton has answered a previous Mr. Smarty Plants question on selecting grass seed for Central Texas. If you are considering seeding, here's her question and response ... What is the best drought tolerant grass for Central Texas that can be used as a low height lawn? I remember seeing a news account (Austin TV) about some UT research at the Wildflower Center that developed a new heat/drought tolerant grass mix.
Answer: You are, indeed, right that the Wildflower Center is doing ongoing research on native lawns. You can read about it in our article, Native Lawns and you can see the research plots if you visit the Wildflower Center. One of our Associates Suppliers, Native American Seed in Junction, has a 2:1 mix of Bouteloua dactyloides (buffalograss) to Bouteloua gracilis (blue grama) called Native Sun Turfgrass. They also have the other major short turf grass used in the research, Hilaria belangeri (curly mesquite).
We have a "How to Article" that you probably will want to read:
2. Native Lawns: Buffalograss gives recommendations and tips for establishing a native lawn with only buffalograss.
Additionally, there is a lot of information about using ecological native species for drought conditions, called Habitaturf on the www.wildflower.org website. Spring is the best sowing time once soil temperatures warm up (day time temperatures constantly above 85°F).
If you would like to use non-native sod for your new lawn, Texas A&M has a turfgrass information sheet for Texas that will help with the selection.
More Turf Questions
Mowing the multi-species buffalo grass lawn
June 23, 2011 - I am planning on putting in a buffalo grass lawn in an area that is little used. I read that a mix of buffalo, blue grama, and curly mesquite is good for better cover but I am concerned about the blu...
view the full question and answer
Replacing a Grass Lawn with Moss
January 02, 2010 - I have a small north facing yard that I would like to change from grass to moss. There is some moss now but still lots of grass. I need to rake a lot of leaves in the fall but want to get away from a ...
view the full question and answer
Native grass for Round Rock, Texas lawn
November 12, 2008 - Hello, I just moved into a new place and the grass in the back yard is very spotty. I would like to know the best seed to put down to cure this problem. Thank you.
view the full question and answer
Habiturf in Houston
January 30, 2012 - I want to install a Multi-Species Native Lawn, like HABITURF. However, I live in Houston, Texas and most of your information on this topic doesn't address my region. As I don't have a heavily shaded...
view the full question and answer
Mowing Bouteloua dactyloides (Buffalograss)
July 05, 2014 - Dear Mr or Ms Smarty Plants,
Although I see you have posted some information about mowing Buffalograss it doesn't seem to answer my question. Will it hurt to mow the buffalograss flags off? Will t...
view the full question and answer
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