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
Not Yet Rated

Tuesday - October 15, 2013

From: Cedar Park, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Non-Natives, User Comments, Grasses or Grass-like
Title: Comment on previous answer from Austin
Answered by: Barbara Medford

QUESTION:

Ms Bradford, You just answered my question about St. Augustine grass.. actually, you didn't answer it.. You said "sorry, wrong number". Very funny. I think you misunderstood... I would rather not have St. Augustine sod put down after the work is done, but I have no choice. My entire yard is St. Augustine (not my choice). So the small area where the work is being done (repair of a serious drainage issue), must be replaced with the same grass as the rest of my yard.. as required by my HOA. I don't have a choice. And, no, I can't afford to xeriscape my entire yard.. I don't have the money. I'm barely able to afford the repair work. I would really appreciate an answer to my question... at this time of year, how long will it take the St. Augustine roots to become established, so as not to be killed by a frost?

ANSWER:

We are truly sorry, but if you are constrained by an HOA, there is not much we can do for you. We will, however, refer you to a website from Texas A&M which does have a lot of information on that grass. That will be much better information for you; since the grass is non-native we have no information on it.

 

More Grasses or Grass-like Questions

Drought-tolerant turf for Southern California
April 23, 2015 - Is it possible to grow Habiturf in Riverside, California, in the area of UC Riverside? The climate is similar to the desert areas or Arizona, just slightly cooler in the Summer. If not, is there a d...
view the full question and answer

Stabilizing a lakeside slope from Bracey, VA
May 24, 2012 - We are trying to beautify and stabilize a relatively large lakeside steep slope with a southern exposure in central Virginia. The soil is characterized by red clay and shale rock. How can we turn this...
view the full question and answer

Native grasses for horse grazing in Wichita Falls, TX
September 08, 2009 - What are the best horse grazing grasses to plant in the Wichita Falls, Texas area?
view the full question and answer

Thunderturf turning brown in Dallas
November 16, 2014 - Thunder Turf turning brown in Dallas, TX: Hi there. I planted new Thunder Turf seed in my entire back yard this past spring. It grew incredibly strong and abundant all summer until about September ...
view the full question and answer

Restoring a prairie from Austin
January 11, 2013 - Restoring a mixed grass Blackland Prairie? Prairie Plant Succession? We are trying to establish climax species when an area is in a pioneering phase. Does the soil chemistry or biota change during ...
view the full question and answer

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