Whether you are a livestock farmer looking for increased summer production, or a wildlife manager looking for high quality habitat, or both, then native warm season grasses, legumes, and forbs should be an option to consider. Getting native warm season grasses such as Big Bluestem, Indiangrass, Eastern Gamagrass, Little Bluestem, Sideoats Grama, and Switchgrass, established can be challenging unless some key principals are followed:
- Good site preparation is critical for stand success. Fescue sod MUST be eliminated before planting.
- Planting depth is important, planting too deep, usually deeper than 1/4″ can result in a poor or failed stand.
- Competition control during the following months after planning is critical for success. Broadleaf weeds and annual grasses such as crabgrass and foxtail can pose serious threats to seedling survivability.
- Patience will be difficult but necessary. Native grasses spend much of their early stages of growth producing an extensive root system with a relatively small leaf feeding the process. Sometimes it may take a couple years for the stand to fully develop. But if you can be patient, the rewards and benefits of your new stand will be well worth the wait.
Scenic Rivers Farm & Forest Consulting has many years of experience establishing native grasses and forbs on many different soil types. If you are interested in establishing a stand, and would like our help, please feel free to contact us to discuss your goals and an appropriate plan of action.