Native grasses from seed

Hi all - I'm new here - trying to find out where I "belong." My main interests are native plants (south central PA region) and organic gardening.

I think I got a handle on killing all the existing vegetation (in weedy pasture), but I'd like to start some seeds of Virginia Wild Rye and Big Bluestem in flats or pots to transplant. I've read this is difficult and the seeds take a long time to sprout and the plants need two years to develop.

Anybody have have any ideas or experience? Thanks!

hi compostR,
Two years ago, I started pots of Virginia wild rye. I placed them outside in January and they sprouted in April. I transplanted them into their permanent positions in late May. They didn't produce seed until the next growing season.
I seeded a small area with Big bluestem last spring (early May) and they germinated within three weeks, they did not produce seed last year. I think you might be able to start the big bluestem indoors and plant out in mid spring. They might flower the first year if they get started early enough. good luck!

Thanks branches - that's mighty encouraging! Dumb, but I never thought of putting them outside - I was thinking of using the fridge - but outside is so much easier.

I don't know what the wild rye does, but bluestem (Big and Little) seedlings initially produce one long thread of a root that may grow for inches before deciding to branch, even a little. With such a dainty root, you'd think there would be no chance of transplant survival, but remarkably, success ensues if you are careful. Be sure to use deep pots from the get-go.

Easy as pie as others have stated above. You'll do just fine. You can wintersow them or broadcast them and you're going to get a decent germination rate either way.

Most native plants take a few years to mature. In the first year they are generally focusing their energy on their roots.

You might want to consider these two very attractive native grasses-
Panicum virgatum (Switch grass)
Sorghastrum nutans (Indian grass)

I noticed one place which sold "plugs" had the grasses growing in extra deep pots. Now I can't find that place - it was on the internet somewhere.

I bought a couple plants of Switch grass and Indian grass. Unfortunately, they died off - not sure why, but one Big Bluestem and one Wild rye took root - so I figure I might have a better chance with them.

It's a shame, isn't it, that most people never even see mature grass! In our neighborhood people are really really obsessed with mowing the lawn. I can't wait to have a stand of tall grasses waving in the wind !

I have had success with grass plugs from this site...

http://www.ionxchange.com/index.htm

Where do you live CompostR? I have ordered a lot of plugs in the past and might be able to suggest a nursery that I've had good luck with.

I checked out Ion Exchange - great! Thanks so much. Their prices seem pretty reasonable too.

Just changed my info to include my wereabouts - took a while to figure out how to do this. Anyway, it's south central Penn. You in IL and MI ? Does that mean you have property on both sides of the state line? Just curious...

Ahhh, beautiful Pennsylvania. You might want to try these people-
http://www.jfnew.com/

If you call them on the phone, they will spend time with you helping you make selections and you can also ask them for references to other nurseries, they won't mind answering your questions.

I live in Illinois year round but we have a seasonal home in Upper Peninsula Michigan.

jfnew is a great site - lots of info. We do have a couple native nurseries around here, but they are either wholesale only or a long drive.

I guess Michigan is a penninsula! - between the lakes - never really thought of that. Must be pretty.

This is great info for me, too. Once the ground thaws in about 3-4 months I want to replace the lawn on a steep roadside slope with Little Bluestem and native perennials. I'm a newbie and not interested in growing any plants indoors. Can't I just get rid of the lawn,add new topsoil and sow it with seed? Or plugs, or mature plants? What is the least expensive? Or can I just sow on top of the lawn that's there and not mow the lawn? I'de love an easy way out and inexpensive way out ---

Say sarahn, cou dmaill me? I'm not at home right now but I have lots of information at home that you might want. I'll be home On Feb 6th. Once I can get to my desk, I can start pulling a file that has all the lawn goodies in it. I think when I have a little bit more time, I can also find a few threads here that have some good information in them.

I'm in the same boat sarahn.

I'm trying to turn most of our 4 acres into native plant habitats. We have mostly old farm land where there is not that much topsoil left. Anyway, it's a daunting task. We have planted lots of trees but since I'm 54 we will not see them mature I guess. I just hope we're here long enough to see them grow a bit (and to block out the development we are surrounded with).

Now we're turning to the grasses, shrubs, herbaceous type plants. The only way I can think to proceed is do a small area at a time (without using a lot of herbicides, and hired help). I have quite a bit of information, but wanted to see what people with experience have done. There's just no substitute for actual experience.

When I get a chance I'll try to post some info and links too.

This message was edited Jan 30, 2008 3:29 PM

Although this is not exactly a match to what you want to do, I think it is relevant:

When naturalists what to reseed in a prairie, they look for gopher mounds - disturbed dirt where seedlings have a better chance of taking hold, due to less competition with established root systems of existing plant materials.

Yes, gopher mounds are absolutely wonderful! I did a quick search for threads here of some of my projects and came up empty handed although I know I've got photos throughout the threads. Maybe when I have more time I'll poke around a little bit more and see what older photos I can find otherwise I'll "unearth" some photos of current and ongoing projects. I truly get the biggest bang out of wasting lawn! Making lawn go bye bye is one of my favorite activities.

http://www.prairienursery.com/howTo/seeding/seeding.htm

Sarahn
I'm glad to find more members for our "dead lawn society"...
check out this link and web site. perhaps seeding is the least expensive way but some transplants will help the thing get started and give will you something to look at besides seedlings...

more info on :A Quick Guide to Converting Your Lawn to a Prairie Garden
http://www.prairienursery.com/howTo/gardening/establish_prairie_with_transplants.htm

I have bought from Prairie and they are good (except my own dumb fault - I lost several plants because we were being terrorized by groundhogs {think gophers on steroids} and I was afraid to plant anything before we had a fence up.)

Between loads of laundry and making turkey carcass soup, I found these sources for native grass info in my garden file:

“Meadows”
http://www.envirolandscaping.org/specialty.htm#meadows

“Warm-Season Grasses and Wildlife”
http://pubs.cas.psu.edu/freepubs/pdfs/UH158.pdf

“Meadows and Prairies: Wildlife-Friendly Alternatives to Lawn”
http://pubs.cas.psu.edu/FreePubs/pdfs/uh117.pdf

I found this info today - it's relevant to your area, sarahn:

This is from an online book: “Managing Grasslands, Shrublands, and Young Forest Habitat for Wildlife: A Guide to the Norhtheast.” Scroll down to “Maintaining and Restoring Grasslands” which is chapter 3.

http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Wildlife/Northeast_Hab_Mgt_Guide.htm

Ahhhh branches, the Dead Lawn Society! I think we need to enroll CompostR. Would you please do the honors of digging up that thread?

The Dead Lawn Society? MMmmm, that may be one of the ONLY groups I would join !

Oh, you're definitely a member already... you just don't realize it ;)

Dead lawn society thread

http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/467438/

Why thank you branches!

Thanks everyone. The info and links are being put to use. Today we had a bit of a thaw with temps touching 50 degrees, so I'm getting stoked for spring!

Thanks, branches. I read most of the thread; pretty funny.