106 (800) 728-4043 How to Grow Native Seeds Think Issues to consider are sun, drainage, soils, planting time, weather, existing plants and dormant weed seeds, residual chemical, your tools and equipment, expectations and your budget. Take responsibility and care for the land. Use common sense. Native plants are very friendly. Read the Land Touch the earth and quietly listen. 150 years ago only native plants grew here. Though many changes have occurred, you can now welcome them back home. We encourage you to become native to your place. When choosing your site, read your land and how it lays. A compatible matching of seeds and planting sites is important. Most annual spring blooming wildflowers are cool season plants. They sprout and grow during the fall–winter. They bloom, go to seed and then die back in late spring-summer. Plant these types of wildflower seeds in early fall. Aug–Nov are the best dates, the earlier the better. Perennial wildflowers can be planted in spring or fall. Many perennials develop strong, deep tuberous roots the first year before producing blooms. Exotic cool season grasses and clovers are not compatible with wildflowers. Warm season native grass seeds germinate when soil temps are above 65º F. Regarding the best time to plant native grasses, it is true that late spring gives the best chances of success in normal rainfall years. However, successful plantings may be made up until 90 days before frost. The trade off is the daily passing of this year’s growing season which translates into lighter top growth. Sprouting is triggerd by soil temperature, moisture and daylight hours. There are always exceptions. If you need assistance, visit our website or call. Our staff is ready to help you. Bed Preparation If you have existing warm season grass, mow short, then remove thatch. Small sites can be hand raked or tilled no more than 1” deep to expose bare soil. Almost all soils contain dormant weed seeds, which will be awakened by excessive tilling. A “weedy” site may signal that special attention be required. Reduce invasive perennial weeds such as bermuda, KR bluestem, buffel, vasey and johnsongrass prior to planting native grass. Till and remove roots if possible. For small plots, consider using black plastic to solarize and kill weeds during hot summer months. For large areas, consider plowing with a tractor and various implements several times before seeding to expose, freeze or dry unwanted roots. If you choose chemical weed killers, get advice from your county extension agent. The least amount of soil disturbance will have the most favorable results, unless other objectives such as breaking hard clay sub-soils or incorporating organic matter and minerals are desired. When planting a native grass lawn, many people prefer to take special care. By starting with a weed-free, smoothly raked seedbed, the recommended lawn seeding rates are then applied. The lawn is kept weeded and watered until healthy native grass plants are established.
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