Non-Turf Grasses

Bunchgrasses stabilize soil, reduce erosion and provide forage and wildlife habitat.

These grasses are considered “dryland grasses,” meaning that once established, they will survive without supplemental watering.  However, dryland grasses require moisture to germinate and become established.  So, plant in either early spring or late fall to take advantage of seasonal rain.

It is essential for dryland grasses to be planted in weed-free ground.  Weeds aggressively compete for moisture and can easily take over newly planted areas.  If your property is very weedy, it may be best to delay the seeding process until you can control the weeds.

There are three methods of seeding:

• Broadcasting means casting the seed on the top of the ground.
• Drilling is done with a seed driller that deposits seed into the ground at a specific depth.  Some commercial seed dealers have seed drills for your use.
• Hydroseeding is a cost effective way to seed large areas in landscape or roadside situations.  In hydroseeding, a slurry of seed, water and fertilizer is “sprayed” onto the ground.  Hydroseeding companies are listed in the Yellow Pages of your local phone directory.

Your seed dealer can help you determine the seeding rate and the method to use for your planting.

Green Zone Update: Initially 29 varieties of Conservation and Forages Grasses were planted in this area.  The planting beds are currently under renovation as we have discovered the three types of Non-turf Grasses that are the most successful in the Inland Northwest. A new mix of grasses will be planted in Fall 2005.