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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Wednesday - October 22, 2014
From: Beeville, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Edible Plants, Grasses or Grass-like
Title: Native Grasses as a Hay Crop in Beeville, TX
Answered by: Larry Larson
QUESTION:
I am looking to cut Hay on about 38 acres just west of Beeville, Texas. I want to convert the land to native grasses, but I still want to have a decent hay crop that I can sell. What is a good set of native grasses to establish in that region.ANSWER:
When Mr Smarty Plants went looking for references and information on this topic, he was pleasantly surprised! There is quite a bit of literature out there that supports hay production using native grasses.
Here are some of those references:
AgWeb: Hay Production with Native Grasses
Univ. of Tennessee: Producing Hay from Native Warm-Season Grasses in the Mid-South
Native Prairie Hay Meadows: A Landowner’s Management Guide
Missouri Dept of Conservation: NATIVE WARM-SEASON GRASS PASTURES
Univ. of Nebraska Extension: Switchgrass, Big Bluestem, and Indiangrass for Grazing and Hay
These grasses are both listed in the above publications and in the List of Recommended Species which covers the area around Beeville [Postoak Savannah] :
Panicum virgatum (Switchgrass)
Andropogon gerardii (Big bluestem)
Sorghastrum nutans (Indiangrass)
From the Image Gallery
More Grasses or Grass-like Questions
When and how to mow native grass in Texas
February 27, 2010 - We live on a ranch near Kerrville. The grass is sparse KR, purple three-awn and some Texas wintergrass. How and when is the best way and time to mow this native grass?
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Grass for miniature horses
October 31, 2008 - We are looking for buffalo grass or a grass that can be eaten by miniature horses. We have a small non-profit in south Austin and bring the minis home on weekends x2 a month. Our yard has been dirt w...
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Should the herbicide Ornamec 170 be used on unwanted grasses?
March 15, 2012 - I have a lovely wildflower garden in a field behind my house; unfortunately, the wildflowers are being smothered by grasses. I understand that Ornamec 170 can be used to control grasses in wildflower...
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Bioswale in Orange CA
September 08, 2009 - Mr. Smarty Plants,
I'm looking for plants for a bio-swale in Southern California. Do you have any suggestions for plants that do well in water but can also can handle long dry summers?
view the full question and answer
Replacing St. Augustine with native grasses in San Antonio
November 04, 2009 - I am hoping to replace St. Augustine on a sloped yard with native grass. I was wondering where I might get information on the prairie grass seed mats used by the TXDOT highway dept to stop erosion.
...
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