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
Tuesday - October 02, 2012
From: Hico, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Turf, Grasses or Grass-like
Title: Lawn grass for Erath County, TX
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
We live in Erath County in TX on ranch land. We are relatively dry. Our soil is combination of clay and red soil (brought in for building pad), and sandy. We have a sloped area, about 30%, that we want lawn grass on and it gets sun most of the day. We have a sprinkler system in, but over 10 yrs. have lost all grass there. We would like to sod to avoid the sprinkler system. Any suggestions of what type?ANSWER:
Habiturf™, developed at the Wildflower Center and composed of Bouteloua dactyloides (Buffalograss), Bouteloua gracilis (Blue grama) and Hilaria belangeri (Curly mesquite grass), sounds like the perfect turf for your area. Its advantages over non-native turf grasses are that, after established, it requires very little water, needs infrequent mowing and no fertilizer. The only way to establish a Habiturf™ lawn at this time, however, is by seeds available from the Wildflower Center (see the Habiturf™ page) or from Douglass King Company in San Antonio. Native American Seed in Junction has a similar seed mix called Thunder Turf. Please see our How to Article, Native Lawns: Habiturf™–The Ecological Lawn, to learn how to prepare your site and plant and maintain this lawngrass mixture. Native American Seed also has an article, Planting Tips for Native Lawns, that is helpful. Also, be sure to watch the video on the Habiturf™ page.
More Turf Questions
Native replacement for non-native Bermudagrass in Leander TX
October 16, 2011 - We have Bermuda grass. Large patches have died due to the drought and our yard has been taken over by weeds and St. Augustine grass whose seeds must have blown in. Even when the grass was in great con...
view the full question and answer
Evergreen ground cover for San Antonio
August 03, 2011 - Is there a short, evergreen, drought tolerant ground cover which will tolerate light traffic that can be used instead of grass? San Antonio, Texas
view the full question and answer
Savannah holly sprouting in lawn in Oklahoma City
May 24, 2009 - I have a 15 year old Savannah Holly in a shrub bed. This year, seedlings have sprouted all over my front lawn. This is the first year that I have had this problem other than in the shrub bed itself. I...
view the full question and answer
Turf grass for a sandy site in central Texas
February 16, 2015 - I want to plant grass over an old sand volleyball court in our back yard in Bastrop, Texas. What is the best way to go? Adding top soil and buffalo grass seed or try St. Augustine?
view the full question and answer
Grassburs in native lawn in Utopia TX
June 22, 2010 - I recently planted native Texas grass (Buffalograss, blue grama & curly mesquite) at my new house in the hill country. I had to bring in all the top soil. The grass is doing great, but in one area o...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |