WHERE TO FIND NATIVE GRASS

Lady Bird J Wildlife Center - Austin

The center sells a 2 lb. bag of Habiturf for 89.95 with proceeds from sales going toward continuing research and activities at the nonprofit. This is a mix of Buffalograss, Blue Grama and Curly Mesquite, which the center says are species suited for Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Arizona, according to tests by the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. The center describes this grass mix as “dense, soft to the touch, establishes quickly and conserves precious resources once established.” It is appropriate for all parts of Texas, except East Texas, where the soil and rainfall are not suitable. A 2 lb bag covers approximately 500 square feet.

Directions for installing. 

Douglas King Company Seed - San Antonio

DK sells its blend of Buffalograss, Blue Grama and Curly Mesquite, which it calls “Habiturf,” for $62 for a 2 lb. bag up to $260 for a 10 lb. bag. This is the same grass mix being sold by the Lady Bird Center. Habiturf, requires less mowing, watering and weeding by “simulating nature's short grass prairie.”

“These grasses have similar shaped leaves and color to produce a great looking, even textured, native lawn,” DK says. “The Native Lawn Mix requires 6 to 8 hours of sunlight per day to do well. Planting rate is 3 to 5 pounds per 1000 s.f.”  DK donates an undisclosed portion of its sales to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center for research.

Native American Seed - Junction, TX

The people who developed the native grass mix of Buffalograss, Blue Grama and Curly Mesquite call it Thunder Turf, which is sold by the bag online; 1.27 lb bag is $32 and a 102 lb bag is $249. The company praises its special mix as tough and resilient: “In the heat of summer Thunder Turf may go dormant, but upon each subsequent rainfall it greens right up. Self-seeding native perennials. Location pictured left is in extremely thin soil on top of a rocky plateau in the western Hill Country. Average rainfall belt of 17-19 inches. Really cold mornings, such as 1 degree F in winter of 2010 - no problem! Ranges all the way to Sonora desert, 110 degree temps common for places like Phoenix and Tucson - no problem! This shortgrass kit includes 82% Buffalograss, 17% Blue Grama, 1% Curly Mesquite.”

Thunder Turf can be planted from late spring until early summer. The ground should be lightly tilled and cleared of the roots of non-native grasses. NAS provides detailed instructions.

H BAR H TURF FARMS - Amarillo  [Update May 2017: This business may have closed or is operating under another name.]

H BAR H sells Legacy Buffalograss a variety developed by the University of Nebraska, which the company reports is a good choice for lawns because it’s got a dark blue-green color and adapts well to occasional mowings to keep it at a height of 3-5 inches. It’s cold hardy and it likes a clay soil, but can be grown in other types of soil. The company estimates it will use about 75 percent less water than typical turf (Bermuda or St. Augustine). A feature that distinguishes this turf is that it may do a bit better in shady areas than other types of native grass mixes.This seedless grass also is considered pollen-free, a boon for those with allergies, according to H BAR H TURF. The grower also pledges that this grass is dense and aggressive, making it able to resist weeds. In fact, weed-and- feed treatments containing the toxic 2,4-D (which many do) can kill Buffalograss


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