Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

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.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?

Share

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.

Search Smarty Plants
See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

 
rate this answer
1 rating

Saturday - February 04, 2012

From: Austin, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Planting, Drought Tolerant, Grasses or Grass-like
Title: Can Habiturf be planted by hydroseeding from Austin?
Answered by: Barbara Medford

QUESTION:

We are thinking about seeding our lawn with HABITURF. Could you provide any input on whether HABITURF can be planted by hydroseeding? Thanks!

ANSWER:

First, please read our How-To Article Native Lawns: Habiturf-the Ecological Lawn. From that article, we extracted this paragraph:

"Sow.
Sow the seed —the small, hand-cranked seed broadcasters are great— and rake and press with a garden roller or your feet. Seeds need good soil contact. Early spring is the best sowing time once soil temperatures warm up. Later in the growing season will work but will require more water. Avoid mid-summer and winter."

We're not going to say that means it can't be hydroseeded but it does mean that we have no research results on that process with Habiturf. Because we were not personally familiar with the hydroseeding methods, we did some research to which we can refer you.

From the website All About Lawns Planting by Hydroseeding. There were several other articles, but they generally said about the same thing. Unless you are planting new lawns on a university campus, we think that the recommended method from our grass experts will be less expensive and more effective.

 

More Drought Tolerant Questions

Deer and Drought Resistant Natives for San Marcus, Texas
February 15, 2012 - Hi there, Do you have a list of plants and ground covers (deer/drought resistant) for the San Marcos area? Much as I love grass, it's impossible with this drought. I'd love to have lots of flowers ...
view the full question and answer

Tall native grasses for privacy in Central Texas
June 29, 2013 - Hi- I am looking for a grass that will grow tall and be thick for privacy. I live here in Austin east of 35. Obviously something draught tolerant would be great! Thank you!
view the full question and answer

Plants for a sunny, sandy site in Central Texas
January 22, 2015 - I live between La Grange and Schulenburg, Texas. My soil is sandy. Full sun, no trees. I am a senior citizen with limited funds who is allergic to Rye and Bermuda grass. I tried planting a lawn of...
view the full question and answer

Water-Wise Privacy Hedge for California
February 22, 2016 - I would like recommendations for a privacy hedge that would grow at least 12 feet tall with non-invasive roots and hopefully water-wise in Los Angeles.
view the full question and answer

Mulching tree root in San Angelo, TX
April 02, 2014 - San Angelo, Texas is in a drought stage. Will it help our trees to mulch the base of them?
view the full question and answer

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.