I, also, was unable to find the same article online at the TOH website. Of course, I was originally referring to the printed, newsstand version. The "articles" in the website version serve as little more than a tease to entice you to buy their magazine. I really hate the way they divide up articles (Abridged articles at that!) into 5 or 6 pages in order to drag the viewer through an assailment of advertising... A wearisome ploy that I quickly abandon. IronBelly

I'm not growing this particular grass right now, but the company I get my native seeds from will only ship Big Bluestem/Andropogon gerardii as a plant from early May through late September. Some of the folks on the Meadows & Prairies Forum on GardenWeb may have some suggestions on the best time to plant it out in your Zone (copy and paste link below into your browser): http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/prairie/ Here's some other info I found on growing Big Bluestem (info is from a seed company). They suggest planting out from late May to early October: "Collect big bluestem seeds when the seed head no longer has a creamy center, usually in September and October. Dry seeds in paper bags for 2 to 4 weeks. Seeds can be stored up to 7 months at 50 degrees F and 50 percent humidity. Cold stratification (40 degrees F, 35 percent humidity) may improve germination uniformity. Fill germination trays or pots with moist soil, compacted at bottom. Sow seeds by hand, covering with a thin layer of soil. Keep soil evenly moist during germination and do not use fertilizer. Greenhouse establishment will occur at alternating day/night temperatures (set at 75/65 degrees F) and 12-14 daylight hours (may be extended artificially). Transplant seedlings into plug cells. Soil does not need to be consistently moist at this stage. In early to late spring, move plugs to cold frame. Seedlings are ready for outplanting when the plant and soil can be completely pulled from the pot as one unit. Outplanting can take place from late May to early October. Seeds can be sown directly outside from late winter to early spring. Emergence will occur in 4 weeks with several irrigations." Hope this helps... Here is a link that might be useful: Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardi)

Are you planning mostly grass or a prairie effect with flowering plants too? If you want room for flowers between the grasses, try spacing at 2 to 3 feet. Indian grass and Big blue stem grow mostly upright but switch grasses are wider.

Jim my prairie is 8 years old now and there was a time when I thought it would never make it. I have waited 5 years just to see some plants bloom! It's very hard to spot seedling grasses in there first years. I'm guessing they are there, and will continue to spread. The only reason it would not be there is if the season was was very dry and the seedlings didn't make it. You may wish to try Switch grass and Prairie Dropseed also. Each plant type has its own needs and what ever the site is best suited for will thrive, so its hard to say if the rye will dominate. I have had it in my prairie for many years and it its not by any means the dominant grass. I have done well collecting my own seed and adding it to my prairie, but some years just don't favor the new plants. The cord grass likes wet ground so it may be a problem for you on your site. You say you like your prairie now, as the saying goes "you aint seen nothing yet"!