Native Grasslands

We maintain native grasslands for farm and wildlife animal habitat. We have several deer that feed upon the grass and can be seen walking from the pasture to the creek. Often the deer stop and just look at us almost as curiously as we look at them. We also have other wildlife that benefit from the grass such as birds. I have seen several hawks, owls and other grassland birds since we have lived here.

Our native grassland area includes a variety of native grasses such as sideoats grama, broomsedge and plains bluestems, woollysheath threeawn, poverty oatgrass, clovers, nut grass, and  sand lovegrass.  Also we have a little bit of non-native grasses that have found their way in such as bermudagrass, oats, bahiagrass, and rescuegrass.

No, I am not a horticulturist. My husband got me a book, Grasses of Southern Oklahoma and North Texas: A Pictorial Guide Now Available. I am not even sure if I identified the grasses correctly but I am sure that they are somewhat accurate. It is interesting to know what plants grow in the pasture. It gives me a connection to the land as I try to learn more about where I live.

Why try to maintain the native grasslands?  Because native grasses require less water and less fertilizer. It also provides a habitat for grassland birds and other wildlife such as deer, amphibians, reptiles, butterflies, hawks, owls, insects, and rabbits. Also native grasses provide beauty, interest and has a historical value.

Because of last year’s drought the pasture is in need of some maintenance. It has been very difficult in locating native grass seeds. All any of the local stores want to sell is bermudagrass or bahiagrass seeds. Locally bermuda sells for $6 a pound and bahia sells for $4 a pound. I found a site online that sells native grass seeds Native American Seed - Online Catalog. I purchased switchgrass, sideoats grama and buffalograss. Obviously native grass is more expensive ranging from $14.62 to $18.50 a pound. But the money I save in not having to water or fertilize should help to even out the cost. And sometimes it is not about the cost; it is about revitalizing our American history and restoring our grasslands.

My husband disked the land a bit with the tractor because the ground seemed so hard and compact. Also disking will allow the seeds to have a place to nestle in as it prepares to grow roots. It may take about two years for me to see the success of rejuvenating the native grassland but I believe it is worth the effort.