Native grass interseeding

18 years ago

I have a 2 1/2 acre meadow that was sown in May of 2003 and is doing quite well. I put in a mixture of appx. 50 species of native forbs, most seeds were obtained from commercial seed sources, with some from local roadsides and pastures. I also added some native grasses to the mix, little bluestem and Canadian wild rye that were obtained commercially while the big bluestem, Indian grass, and prairie cord grass were obtained locally. The forbs are doing wonderfully, and the little bluestem really made its appearance last year. I did a full burn last year and will be doing a full burn this year.

My dilemma is this Â the Canadian wild rye has done a little too well with a plant every three feet or so, and I would like to see less of it and more big bluestem and Indian grass in the meadow. I had maybe a dozen Indian grass plants last year, and about two or three dozen big bluestem plants. IÂm wondering if there was poor germination from the locally obtained grass seed. I had about 15 gallons of local grass seed (big blue and Indian) that was sown and I would think there would be more plants making their appearance by now. I have not seen any prairie cord grass at all.

Will the Canadian wild rye fade away as I would like, or will it continue to dominate? IÂve been thinking about buying some commercially grown big bluestem and Indian grass and seeding it into the meadow right after my burn this spring. Would this be a good idea or am I just being impatient? Are there other grass species which should be added to the mix?

All in all, I am very pleased with how the meadow has turned out. ItÂs a joy to wander through in the spring and summer, the scents from the forbs are intoxicating! IÂm looking forward to your advice.

Jim

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Comments (5)

woodster
18 years ago
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"!
ernestm
18 years ago
Hello Jim and congrats on the success of your meadow so far. In my experience the rye will dominate in the early stages because it matures so quickly. I would be willing to bet that in a few years the rye will be reduced to a few here and there with BBS codominating with Indian Grass.

I have seen this exact transformation take place in several restorations I have kept an eye on here in MN.
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froggy
18 years ago
only 3 years in, i wouldnt want u to repeat seedings of grasses. if u would like to add additional spp, great. but dont think that they arnt there, they are.

if u dont heed this advice, dont blame me in 8-10 years when ur planting is dominated by grasses and nuthing but...

u heard it here first, i going to coin a new phraze, prairie patience. breath and relax.

froggy
mwbeall
18 years ago
AGAIN...Thanks for the reassurance, froggy; I guess I still have the anxious dilemma of Great Expectations. You are correct in one needing to develop "prairie patience." I will now relax and develop some seed plots! ...and quit worrying!
Jim_Nebr
Original Author
18 years ago
Thanks for all the input, folks! Prairie patience - I like that. I was getting anxious to do my annual burn in the next week or 10 days, but we got 24 inches of wet, heavy snow in the past 2 days! Prairie patience!