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
Saturday - October 23, 2010
From: Hancock, NH
Region: Northeast
Topic: Compost and Mulch, Soils, Grasses or Grass-like
Title: Turf grasses and alternatives for NH
Answered by: Anne Bossart
QUESTION:
I live in Hancock, NH, just north of Peterborough. We just bought a relatively new house that pretty-much has no lawn and minimal landscaping. Can you (or anyone) suggest native lawn grass alternative ideas that would work well, both aesthetically as well as providing some durability and softness for playing children. I have heard of mosses and such, as well as taller grasses. Thank you for any thoughts or suggestions deemed pertinent.ANSWER:
You don't mention anything about the conditions in which the lawn needs to grow. New construction generally means a lot that has been stripped of topsoil, there is little shade and what soil there is is compacted due to construction euqipment. That means that most of the rain or irrigation water runs off instead of infiltrating the soil. Needless to say, that is a very tough environment for any plant to live in. In my experience, it takes about five years for a lawn to overcome these conditions and start to fill in.
If this pretty much describes your situation, you should be concentrating your efforts on improving your soil. Aerate the soil and topdress with compost and natural fertilizer every fall and overseed while the soil is still warm.
There is a company in PA that specializes in Moss lawns but it is unlikely that your conditions are suitable, especially if you have children playing. Check out Ecolawn, a mix of native grasses developed by one of our assosciates in Canada. It could be just what you are looking for. If they cannot ship to you, they will advise you where to obtain the seed in the US. They will also be able to advise you whether to seed now or wait until spring.
More Soils Questions
Adding Wildflowers to Corpus Christi
May 20, 2012 - I have a dry sandy yard, full sun in Corpus Christi with lot's of stickers mostly, want to transform to wildflowers. When should I plant, how should I prepare soil, should I dig out stickers? Which w...
view the full question and answer
Gregg's Mistflower stressed in Fredericksburg TX
August 07, 2013 - My Gregg's Mist Flower plants are very stressed. The blooms have turned brown and the leaves are drooping. Plants are receiving moderate sun, partial shade. Do they need daily watering this time o...
view the full question and answer
Death of Texas Betony and Blackfoot Daisy from Austin
April 18, 2013 - I have one small area that there are two plants - Texas Betony and Blackfoot Daisy withered and died eventually. Same kinds of plants are doing fine close by. It is my front yard close to walk way.I w...
view the full question and answer
Fertilizer amounts for native perennials in Belton, TX
March 18, 2009 - I am a novice gardener and need advice on how to fertilize my native perennials. I would like to use organic fertilizer and need advice on exactly what to use. I have a compost pile but it does not ...
view the full question and answer
Is it OK to remove soil around oaks - Austin, TX.
May 24, 2013 - I have several oaks trees (one live oak + burr oaks) from 15'-35' in height. They seem healthy. A local arborist says they were planted too deep and that the soil around them needs to be excavated t...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |