Sand Bluestem

Sand Bluestem (Andropogon hallii) is a tall native, warm season, bunchgrass. It is climatically adapted throughout the Great Plains region, occurring primarily west of the Mississippi River to the Rocky Mountains and from Canada to Mexico. Sand bluestem favors sandy, loamy sand and sandy loam soils and is an important element in many native hay fields.

Sand bluestem is tufted, forms sod and has well developed rhizomes with lengths between 4 and 8 inches. Reaching a height of 7 feet in ideal conditions Sand bluestem has a “J” shaped base with solid culms that are grooved on one side. The leaf blades have prominent midribs and may have a few hairs. The majority of leaves are found near the base although some do carry up the stem. Sand bluestem seed heads generally have between 2 to 6 digitate racemes giving it a  “turkey foot” appearance.

Because of its growth habits Sand bluestem is often used in conservation practices by the NCRS including for example; animal trails and walkways, vegetative barriers, pasture and hay planting, wind barriers and land reconstruction etc.

Sand bluestem is also often used for erosion control plantings on sites that are sand, loamy sand or sandy loam. Usually it is planted as part of a mixture with other warm season grasses.

Sand bluestem makes a good to excellent forage as it is highly palatable, and high in crude protein just prior to seed head formation and also provides a high yield.  Once the seed heads have formed both the nutritive and palatability values decrease appreciably. Under continuous heavy grazing Sand bluestem will eventually die out and be replaced by less desirable plants.

Sand bluestem also provides a good to excellent forage for any browsing wildlife species. Upland birds eat the seeds while its clumpy growth pattern and upright structure throughout the winter provide an excellent nesting habitat for these birds and smaller mammal species.

Due to the increase in dry or xeric landscaping practices Sand bluestem is fast becoming a popular yard plant and in particular as a border for lawns and flowerbeds.

The optimal or best time to plant Sand bluestem is between December and the end of May using a specifically built native grass drill. It is best seeded into a weed freestanding cover crop. The seeding rate is around 6 pounds PLS per acre.

Broadcasting will definitely result in a significantly lower number of viable seedlings will result when compared to drilling. Broadcasting should only be undertaken in areas where drilling is physically impossible.

Sand bluestem should not be harvested during the establishment season and in the second season harvesting by haying or pasturing should only occur on good stands. The plant should be at least 20 inches tall before the first harvest commences. It should only be grazed for a maximum of 5 days or cut no lower than 8 inches. It should then be protected until the minimum height of 20 inches is reached again. No cropping should occur below 8 inches or inside 1 month of anticipated frosts. Following a killing frost Sand bluestem may be grazed to 8 inches however, forage quality is greatly reduced and supplementation is highly recommended for growing animals.

As Sand bluestem has relatively weak seedling vigor compared to weeds and cool season grasses, control of competition is essential if a successful stand is to be established. High mowing above the seedlings may be undertaken once the weeds reach 6 to 8 inches in height. Herbicide applications for weed control can be considered when weeds comprise more than 50% of the canopy.

Prescribed burns can also assist in removing weed mulch from seedlings and also warm the ground in the early spring. Grazing of competing cool season grasses after frost in the fall and before the Sand bluestem is 1 inch high is desirable unless the soil is too wet.

Sand Bluestem Available in Packets for $2.00 each

For larger quantities call Freddie Toll Free 1 800 826 3655 for a quote

Bulk Orders and Shipping Rates

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Seed Available in the Following Quantities

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See Above
Call Freddie Lorenz TOLL FREE 1 800 826 3655 any time for a quote on quantities of 1oz or more

• Download this information as a printable .pdf fact sheet. Sand Bluestem Fact Sheet

Eastern Gamagrass

Eastern Gamagrass (Tripsacum dactyloides) is a warm season, native, perennial, sod forming grass and is a relative to corn. Native to the Eastern half of the United States, it does best in moderately well drained to poorly drained soils. Lowlands, sub-irrigated, or irrigated sites that are not alkaline will also support this species well. Extended periods of flooding are also tolerated.

Eastern gamagrass is primarily used for hay and haylage. Compared to other native perennial warm season grasses it is more palatable, nutritious and productive. Where intensive rotational grazing is well managed Eastern gamagrass can be used as an alternative to annual silage crops, or as pasture forage.

The seed is produced from June to September and can reach up to 8 feet tall. The seed heads are 6-10 inches in length and are made up of one to several spikes. The leaves have a well-defined midrib and, can be 3/8-3/4 inches wide and 12-24 inches in length. Eastern gamagrass does best in moderately well drained to somewhat poorly drained soils.

Selecting area before planting must be made carefully. If the area has good weed control history, Eastern gamagrass can be seeded with conventional equipment into a thoroughly prepared seedbed. To avoid exposing weed seeds to good germination conditions areas formerly in cool season pastures or hay land should be sown without tillage.

Before spring sowing, seeds must first be stratified (exposed to cold, wet conditions) for 8 weeks. Eastern Eastern gamagrass can be purchased stratified through commercial growers. Stratify seed artificially by placing the seeds in a burlap bag until the bag is about 1/2 full. Soak bag in a 1% solution of fungicide for 10 to 12 hours.

Then drain the seeds and seal them, along with the sack, in a plastic bag.  Store them this way for 8 weeks at 35-45 °F.  Stratification may also be achieved by planting in the fall after November 1, but before frost is in the soil.

Prepare the planting site as you would for corn.This needs to  be done when soil is at least 55 degrees; early corn planting season is preferred. For Eastern gamagrass planted with corn, plant corn first and sow the Eastern gamagrass between the corn rows.

Eastern gamagrass is prone to frost heaving over the first winter after planting on some soils in the Northeast. To make this possibility less likely plant on moderately well drained or well drained soils. To produce the largest possible plants by the end of the first season on soils with somewhat poor drainage, use all strategies available. Plants with 15 to 20 culms seem to be very resistant to frost heaving, while those with less than 10 culms are vulnerable.

Cultivation works the best to control weeds in pure stands of Eastern gamagrass, when care is taken not to bury the seedlings. Cultivation should not be used if grass planted with corn. Good pre-emergent weed control should have been taken in this case. A controlled burn in the early spring when grass is about 1” tall will control perennial cool-season grasses in established stands, woody competition and some diseases.

When cutting Eastern gamagrass hay, make sure not to cut lower than 6-8 inches. Three cuttings can be done: The first is about June 10-15 prior to heading; the second cutting about July 30; and the third cutting should be done no later than September 5. On lower production sites and more northern states a two cut system may be appropriate. Boot stage should be the first cutting. The second cutting should occur 4-8 weeks later depending on production, but no later than September 5th. This will allow adequate growth to occur before frost.

If you intend to graze Eastern gamagrass, ensure that your forage management system be used that provides recovery periods for the grass and doesn’t allow grazing below 8 inch stubble height.

Eastern Gamagrass Packet $2.00

For larger quantities call Freddie Toll Free 1 800 826 3655 for a quote.

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Seed Available in the Following Quantities

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Call Freddie Lorenz TOLL FREE 1 800 826 3655 any time for a quote on quantities of 1oz or more

• Download this information as a printable .pdf fact sheet.  Eastern Gamagrass Fact Sheet

Yellow Indiangrass

Yellow Indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans) is a perennial, warm-season, tall native grass. Growing between 3-5’ tall it is one of the grasses that once dominated the central and eastern prairies. It is easily recognized by the “rifle-sight” ligule that appears at the point where the stem and leaf meet. This characteristic is also easily distinguished in young plants. At the point of attachment the leaf blade also narrows. The golden brown seed head is a narrow, single, plume like panicle. The light and fluffy seed has small, attached awns and there is approximately 175,000 seed in a pound.

Indiangrass can be used in erosion control, as a livestock forage and makes an excellent deer feed. For erosion control it is ideal for use in critical seeding area, as a roadside cover as well as areas subject to wind erosion. Indiangrass also provides an excellent habitat for wildlife.

Indian grass grows well in well-drained, deep floodplain soils, although it is also tolerant to poor or excessively drained soils. Soils can range from acid to alkaline and have textures from clay to sand.
Like most warm season grasses Indiangrass requires a soil temperature above 50 degrees and a moist firm seedbed for reliable germination. The best time for planting is between early May and late June. Debearding to remove the awns is recommended to ensure that the seed flows freely. Areas to be planted should be free of perennial and/or noxious weeds. As indicated previously a firm seedbed is required and this can be achieved by using a roller packer to enable the seed to be planted ad the recommended depth of ½ – ¾”.

The optimal or best time to plant Indiangrass is between December and the end of May using a specifically built native grass drill. The seeding rate for solid stands is 6 – 8 pounds PLS per acre. If broadcast seeding is employed the rate should be 12 – 15 pounds per acre. If the planting by broadcast it’s necessary to incorporate the seed via tracking with heavy equipment to improve the soil to seed bond. Despite having a strong seeding vigor, stands tend to develop slowly if in competition with broadleaf weeds and/or heavy growths of cool-season grasses. Cool-season grasses must be controlled with a contact herbicide prior to seeding. Indiangrass does demonstrate a tolerance to such herbicides.  If sowing in fine textured soils with persistent weeds no-till establishment may be necessary.

The most common cause of failure of warm-season grasses is a loose seedbed.  Conventionally tilled seedbeds should be packed before and especially after seeding.  The seedbed should be firm enough to show only a light imprint when stepped on.  When using a no-till drill, be sure the coulter furrows are closed to avoid seed exposure and drying.  This can be accomplished by cultipacking after the drilling operation.

Fertilization to moderate levels of phosphorus and potassium are recommended for establishment.  Nitrogen applications are not recommended until the grass is established and well above the competing weeds.  Fertilizer may be applied late in the first summer of establishment at a rate of 20 to 40 pounds per acre of phosphorus and potassium or in the early summer of the second year at 40 to 80 pounds per acre rate.  In future years fertilize as needed to enhance vigor and production of forage.  For critical area seeding, no additional fertilization is necessary.

If well-established stands of Indian grass are properly managed and maintained, they should not require replanting.  Poor stands can be rejuvenated by using proper management practices, such as controlled grazing, the application of recommended rates of herbicides and fertilizer, and prescribed burning, where permitted, before the beginning of spring growth.  Nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fertilizer should be applied according to soil tests.

In rotational grazing systems, remove no more than ½ the above ground growth (no shorter than 8 to 12 inches).  With care, the stand will last indefinitely.  Forage quality will remain high until the seed head emerges.  Grazing should begin from mid to late June when grasses reach 12 to 16 inches in height.  Overgrazing can damage the stand and should be stopped when the plants are grazed to within 6 inches of the ground.  If re-growth of more than 12 inches takes place, the plants can be re-grazed to 6 to 12 inches.  Leaving this much stubble before frost allows the plants to store carbohydrates and ensures the production of vigorous plant growth in the spring.

Yellow Indian Grass Packet Available in packets for $2.00 each

For larger quantities call Freddie Toll Free 1 800 826 3655 for a quote

Bulk Orders and Shipping Rates

For larger quantities call Freddie Toll Free 1 800 826 3655 for a quote

Seed Available in the Following Quantities

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See Above
Call Freddie Lorenz TOLL FREE 1 800 826 3655 any time for a quote on quantities of 1oz or more

• Download this information as a printable .pdf fact sheet. Yellow Indiangrass Fact Sheet

Big Bluestem

Big Bluestem (Andropogon geradii) is a  tall native, perennial, warm season grass and is climatically adapted throughout the Midwest and Northeast.  Big Bluestem is a tufted grass that forms sod, and has short, scaly rhizomes.  Big bluestem is tall, reaching a height of 6 to 8 feet on most areas where it is protected from grazing.  It is very leafy at the base, with some leaves carried up on the stem.  The seed heads normally have 3 spikelets that look like a ‘turkey foot.’

In areas prone to erosion Big bluestem can be planted in areas moderate to excessively well-drained soils. Best results are achieved when it is mixed with other warm season grasses.

Livestock find Big bluestem a palatable warm season grass and prefer it over switchgrass.  Big bluestem should be planted by itself for best management. This is especially the case in areas where continuous and/or extensive grazing occurs. If intentional rotational grazing practices are employed it can be mixed with other species.
Big bluestem provides a nesting and escape cover for birds and mammals during the summer and winter months.
The optimal or best time to plant Big Bluestem is between December and the end of May using a specifically built native grass drill and conventional tilling should be used wherever possible. If no-till has to be used spring planting should be facilitated by early fall sod control. De-bearded seed must be used if drills without a chaffy seed box are employed. If broadcasting a packer should be used to firm the seedbed and incorporate the seed ¼ to ½ “ similar to alfalfa. The seeding rate for broadcast and no-till methods should be 7-12 pounds PLS per acre.

When compared to weed and cool season grasses Big bluestem has relatively weak seed vigor. As such it’s necessary to control competing plants to ensure the successful establishment of stands. High mowing above the bluestem seedlings is an often used weed control method. Another method if conditions are dry enough is to graze competitive grasses after frost in the fall and prior to the bluestem reaching 1” in height in the spring.

Do not harvest bluestem during the establishment season. On good stands harvesting by haying or controlled grazing is possible. The initial harvest should not begin until the bluestem is 20” tall. It can then be grazed for up to 5 days or cut to no less than 8” high and then protected from further use until it reaches 20” in height again. Cropping should not occur below 8” or within 1 month of expected frost. Following a killing frost, the bluestem may be grazed to 8” high again. However, this reduces forage quality and supplementation is recommended for growing animals.

Big Bluestem Packet Available in Packets for $2.00 each

For larger quantities call Freddie Toll Free 1 800 826 3655 for a quote

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• Download this information as a printable .pdf fact sheet. Big Bluestem Fact Sheet

Little Bluestem

Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium)is a warm season, medium height grass with coarse stems and basal leaves. Beginning growth occurs in late spring and goes through the hot summer months until the first killing frost. Little bluestem has flat bluish basal shoots. The plants are green, but often purplish at the base of stem and after a frost the whole plant has a reddish cast to it. Leaves are smooth, but at the base next to the sheath they are frequently covered with hair. With maturity leaves will tend to fold. Seed head clusters about three inches long, and stems are hairy. Plant height varies from 18 inches on droughty sites to 3 feet on deep, fertile soils.  There are 255,000 seeds per pound.

Little Bluestem is easily mistaken for common Broomsedge. Broomsedge has two or more stalked seed clusters per branch and has a straight awn. Little Bluestem has a single cluster of seeds per branch and has a twisted, bent awn. Seacoast bluestem occurs only in the coastal plain region.  It is very similar to little bluestem but can be distinguished by the bent stems at the base, whereas little bluestem stems are erect.
Little Bluestem is readily grazed by livestock, deer, and elk and is a fair forage species. It is also suitable for hay.

The plant provides cover for ground birds and small mammals. Songbirds and upland gamebirds eat the seed as well.
Because of its growth habit and adaptability to a wide range of soil conditions, little bluestem is useful as a component of re-vegetation mixes. It is especially well suited for use on thin upland range sites.
Little bluestem is used in ornamental plantings as well. It has blue-green leaves during the growing season and in the fall, you will find an attractive rusty color with white fluffy seed heads.
In North America Little Bluestem is one of the most widely distributed native grasses.  It will grow on a wide variety of soils but is very well adapted to well-drained, medium to dry, infertile soils.  The plant has excellent drought and fair shade tolerance, and fair to poor flood tolerance.  It grows preferentially on sites with pH 7.0 and slightly higher.

The optimal or best time to plant Little Bluestem is between December and the end of May using a specifically built native grass drill. Where no-till is used due to slope, stoniness, or other reasons, sod control should be performed in the fall to permit early spring planting.  The seeding rate for establishing a pure stand with broadcast or no-till methods should be 7 to 12 pounds PLS per acre.  When drills are used to plant, de-bearded seed must be utilized unless the drill has a chaffy seed box.  When the seed is broadcast, a packer should be utilized to firm the seedbed and incorporate the seed 1/4 to 1/2 inch (3/4 inch on very droughty sites).  No nitrogen fertilizer should be applied during the establishment year unless no weed competition is expected.  If pH is below 5.5, lime is recommended during site preparation or the fall prior to no-till plantings.

For critical area seeding, the preferred method of planting is drilling, but if this is not possible, an acceptable alternative method is broadcasting the seed (typically in a mix with other warm season grasses) and ‘tracking’ it in with a bulldozer.  The dozer moves up and down slope, off-setting each pass until the entire area is covered with tracks.  Seeding should occur as early as possible in the spring on sands and gravels, without mulching.  Moderate levels of N, P, and K are sufficient for establishment, and soil pH should be 5.5 to 6.0.  Cultipacker-type planters are not suitable for this species.

Control of competition is necessary for successful stand establishment.  High mowing (above the bluestem seedlings) is a common method of weed control. Using proper management practices can rehabilitate poor, established stands. Practices include controlled grazing, application of recommended rates of herbicides and fertilizer, and prescribed spring burning, where permitted.

Do not graze forage planting during the year of establishment.  During subsequent growing seasons, harvesting by controlled grazing or haying is possible on good stands.  Do not remove more than 50% of the current year’s growth from plants.  No cropping should occur below 8 inches or within 1 month of anticipated frosts.  Grazing of competing cool season grasses after frost in the fall and before the little bluestem is 1 inch tall in the spring is desirable.

Little Bluestem is Available in Packets for $2.00 each

For larger quantities call Freddie Toll Free 1 800 826 3655 for a quote.

Bulk Orders and Shipping Rates

For larger quantities call Freddie Toll Free 1 800 826 3655 for a quote

Seed Available in the Following Quantities

Packet	Ounce	Pound	50# Bag	Wholesale	Retail	Dropship
See Above
Call Freddie Lorenz TOLL FREE 1 800 826 3655 any time for a quote on quantities of 1oz or more

• Download this information as a printable .pdf fact sheet. Little Bluestem Fact Sheet

Blue Grama

Blue grama (Bouteloua gracili) can be found throughout the Great Plains and is a major warm season grass. Blue grama is a short plant  (10-20″) with 3-6″ narrow basal leaves. It grows in well defined bunches and reproduces by seed and tillering. Blue grama is often found in association with   buffalo grass, western wheat grass, needle grasses and in some places the bluegrasses. The curved seed heads resemble a human eyebrow.

Blue grama will tolerate drought, fair saline, and moderate alkaline conditions and, when dormant, will tolerate burning. It won’t tolerate flooding, high water tables, acidic soils or intense shade.

In southern states, Blue grama is grown as a bunchgrass, while in the northern states or in heavily grazed areas it used as a sod former.

Blue grama can be used in grass seed mixes for erosion control, low maintenance turf plantings, and surface mine re-vegetation projects.

Like all native grasses Blue grama requires proper ground preparation. It’s essential to kill the roots of cool-season grasses by cultivation and to ensure the seedbed is firm and not solid.  In the Great Plains seeding should occur late spring, while in areas further south it can begin earlier. In the Central Plains seeding should be done during the period from February to May. Either drilling or broadcasting can be used for planting and the seed should be sown no more than ¼ to ½” deep.

A native grass seed drill should be used for planting.  The recommended seeding rate is 1-3 PLS pounds per acre. Mulching and irrigation is recommended in harsh areas.

While Blue grama tolerates low-nutrient soils better than those that are acidic, soil testing should be undertaken to determine any nutrient deficiencies. In the Western areas plant Blue grama in with stubble, a sorghum cover crop or in with the crop itself.

Blue grama is very palatable to livestock all year long once the grass is established. The growing points are close to ground surface, therefore close grazing may occur.  Defer grazing during the growing season every 2-3 years for best yields. During the dormant season Blue grama is a good grass for grazing as it cures well on the stem. Renovation of sod bound stands is also recommended.  To manage weeds use controlled grazing, mowing or herbicides.

Blue Grama Available in Packets for $2.00 each

For larger quantities call Freddie Toll Free 1 800 826 3655 for a quote.

Bulk Orders and Shipping Rates

For larger quantities call Freddie Toll Free 1 800 826 3655 for a quote

Seed Available in the Following Quantities

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See Above
Call Freddie Lorenz TOLL FREE 1 800 826 3655 any time for a quote on quantities of 1oz or more

• Download this information as a printable .pdf fact sheet. Blue Grama Fact Sheet

Alamo Switchgrass

Alamo switchgrass (Panicum virgatumis) is a perennial, sod-forming grass growing between 3 and 5′ tall. Switchgrass is a native grass and given suitable soil conditions can be found throughout the USA except California and the Pacific Northwest. Best soils are moderately deep to deep, somewhat dry to poorly drained, sandy to clay loam soils unless severe weed competition exists during establishment.  In the East, it performs well on shallow and droughty soil. Switchgrass does poorly on heavy soils.

Alamo switchgrass is readily distinguished from other warm-season grasses by the white patch of hair found at the point where the leaf attaches to the stem. This patch is also visible in young plants. Plants are blue-green in color and usually slightly waxy. The seed head is an open, spreading panicle.

Switchgrass provides good warm-season pasture and high quality hay for livestock. Switchgrass is also renowned for its heavy growth during late spring and early summer.  Alamo can be employed on its own for pasture or in seed mixtures for warm-season grazing or hay.

When it comes to erosion control switchgrass is possibly the most valuable of the native grass across a wide range of sites.  It’s a valuable plant for soil stabilization on strip-mine spoils, sand dunes, dikes, and similar critical areas.  Switchgrass has also bee used for low windbreak plantings in truck crop fields.

In addition to its benefits to livestock and in erosion control switchgrass also provides excellent nesting and fall and winter cover for pheasants, quail, and rabbits.  It holds up well in heavy snow and is used on shooting preserves.  In addition the seed provides pheasants, quail, turkeys, doves, and songbirds with a food source.

Despite the aforementioned benefits of switchgrass its potential use as a renewable biofuel resource may prove to be its greatest. Interest in this use for switchgrass has been increasing in recent years, primarily in the Southern United States. The Booneville, Arkansas, Plant Materials Center (PMC) and the Plant and Soil Science Department of Oklahoma State University (OSU) are cooperating to evaluate several upland types of switchgrass for use as a biomass energy resource.

OSU has evaluated selections of upland types of switchgrass for several years.  The development of hybrid progeny with substantial heterosis for increased biomass yield will ultimately result in improved hybrid cultivars for the Central and Southern United States.

The PMC is currently evaluating a number of improved lines and commercially available cultivars for their dry-matter potential and environmental adaptation.  Results of this study may contribute to producers cashing in on a growing demand for renewable fuels and a decrease on our dependency on fossil fuels.

When used for pasture or hay switchgrass should be seeded in pure stands as it is more manageable alone than in mixes.  Its slick, free-flowing seed can be planted with most seed drills or with a broadcast spreader. The optimal or best time to plant is between December and the end of May.  In the Central Plains 3-5 pounds PLS per acre is the recommended planting rate.

Switchgrass seeds are smooth and shiny, with about 426,000 per pound.

Seedbeds should be firmed with a roller prior to drilling or broadcasting the seed.  If seeds are planted using the broadcast method, roll the area after seeding to help cover the seed.  When drilled, seeds should be planted 1/4 inch deep.  No-tillage seeding in closely grazed or burned sod has been successful where clipping, grazing, or proper herbicides accomplish sod control.

Phosphorus and potassium should be applied according to soil tests before or at seeding.  Nitrogen should not be used at seeding time as it will stimulate weed growth.

To control weeds during initial growth mow switchgrass to a height of 4 inches in May or 6 inches in June or July.  While grazing is generally not recommended the first year, a vigorous stand may be grazed late in the year. However, grazing periods must be short with at least 30 days of rest provided between grazings.  Switchgrass is the earliest maturing of the common native warm-season grasses and it is ready to graze in early summer.

Established stands of switchgrass may be fertilized in accordance with soil tests.  Phosphorus and potassium may not be needed if the field is grazed since these elements will be recycled back to the soil by the grazing animal.  Apply nitrogen after switchgrass has begun to produce using a single application in mid-to-late May or a split application in both May and early July.  Avoid high rates of nitrogen because carry-over could spur cool-season grass growth and harm young plants the following spring.

Switchgrass will benefit from burning of plant residues just prior to the initiation of spring growth.  Burning fields once every 3 to 5 years decreases weed competition, eliminates excessive residue and stimulates switch grass growth.  Switchgrass used for wildlife food and cover should be burned once every 3 to 4 years to reduce mulch accumulations that restrict the movement of hatchlings and attract nest predators.

Under continuous grazing management, begin grazing switchgrass after it has reached a height of 14 to 16 inches, and stop when plants are grazed to within 4 inches of the ground during late spring, 8 inches in early summer, and 12 inches in late summer.  A rest before frost is needed to allow plants to store carbohydrates in the stem bases and crown.  Plants may be grazed to a height of 6 to 8 inches after frost.  The winter stubble is needed to provide insulation.

With management intensive systems, grazing can begin in the first paddocks when plants reach a height of 10 inches and should not be grazed below a stubble height of 6 to 8 inches.  Grazed paddocks need to be rested 30-60 days before being grazed again.

Alamo Switchgrass is available in:

Alamo switchgrass 1 Packet $2.00 Alamo switchgrass 1 Ounce $5.00

For larger quantities call Freddie Toll Free 1 800 826 3655 for a quote

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• Download this information as a printable .pdf fact sheet. Alamo Switchgrass Fact Sheet

Sand Lovegrass (Eragrostis trichodes)

Sand Lovegrass (Eragrostis trichodes) is a 1-3 foot tall native perennial bunchgrass that is readily grazed by livestock during the spring and early summer. It is also an ideal plant for adding texture to any landscaping project.

Sand lovegrass grows in full sunlight, is drought tolerant and tolerates poor and sandy soils, however it is best adapted to medium and coarse textured soils.

Culms extending from the tufted base vary from straight to widely spreading. The leaf blade is 8 to 18 inches long, densley hairy and tapers to a fine point. When young, the leaf is stiffly ascending.

The leaf sheath is longer than internodes and covered with long, gray hair. The ligule is hairy. The seed head is an open panicle 1 to 2 feet long and about as wide, bright purple until maturity; tuft of hair in axial of seed stalks, spikelets 6 to 12 flowered.

On heavily grazed areas, deer dig up and eat the basal part of the stem during the winter. While this grass adds variety to livestock diet it is seldom abundant enough to be a key management species. It makes maximum production when no more than 50 percent of current year’s growth by weight is grazed off. A summer grazing deferment of at least 90 days improves plant vigor. This grass increases under controlled annual burning.

Growth starts in the early spring and continues into the fall. Sand lovegrass grows in colonies. It never makes up a large percentage of plant composition. Sand lovegrass between late summer to early fall. At full maturity the seed heads tend to be weak and break off easily thereby allowing for seed distribution by the wind.

Sand Lovegrass Available in Packets for $2.00 each

For larger quantities call Freddie Toll Free 1 800 826 3655 for a quote

Bulk Orders and Shipping Rates

For larger quantities call Freddie Toll Free 1 800 826 3655 for a quote

Seed Available in the Following Quantities

Packet	Ounce	Pound	50# Bag	Wholesale	Retail	Dropship
See Above
Call Freddie Lorenz TOLL FREE 1 800 826 3655 any time for a quote on quantities of 1oz or more