What and how to plant native grasses/wild flowers once home construction is done - Ask Extension
We would like to revegetate the bare ground that has been disturbed by the construction of our home in Marble, 8000' elevation . We want a natural loo...
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What and how to plant native grasses/wild flowers once home construction is done #841363
Asked July 18, 2023, 4:46 PM EDT
We would like to revegetate the bare ground that has been disturbed by the construction of our home in Marble, 8000' elevation . We want a natural look, no mowing. What should be plant, from seed preferably, when and how to plant and how to care for once its sprouted. We are thinking native grasses and wildflowers - thanks.
Gunnison County Colorado
Expert Response
The best time to plant seeds of natives is the fall (the beginning of November and if possible, right before snow fall.) If you don't have irrigation this is the only recommended time.
If you have irrigation, you could also plant in late winter or early spring and continue to water until established. In the following years, taper off watering and only water during dry periods.
It is more time consuming, you may have to wait a season, but it is very important to take care of any weedy species before planting the seeds of the plants you want.
If you plant when the soil is still disturbed that will give good contact of the seeds with the soil. If the soil is compacted, you will need to roughen the surface with a rake or a tiller.
Once you broadcast your seeds, it is helpful to mulch with a thin layer of straw or a soil amendment/mulch that doesn't contain too much bark. Ask questions about any straw you buy to make sure it hasn't been treated with an herbicide that would transfer to your plants. https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/herbicide-carryover
Grasses are easier to grow from seed than native wildflowers. Wildflower seeds often have complex dormancies, and they won't germinate until they have had the right conditions (usually cold and moist).
The following seed companies will have species recommendations for your area. Look under the plant community and elevation of your area. 8,000' is a montane forest: the tree species are most likely Douglas fir, ponderosa pine and possibly some aspens with cottonwoods along the river.
Some sources for natives are:
Yvette
If you have irrigation, you could also plant in late winter or early spring and continue to water until established. In the following years, taper off watering and only water during dry periods.
It is more time consuming, you may have to wait a season, but it is very important to take care of any weedy species before planting the seeds of the plants you want.
If you plant when the soil is still disturbed that will give good contact of the seeds with the soil. If the soil is compacted, you will need to roughen the surface with a rake or a tiller.
Once you broadcast your seeds, it is helpful to mulch with a thin layer of straw or a soil amendment/mulch that doesn't contain too much bark. Ask questions about any straw you buy to make sure it hasn't been treated with an herbicide that would transfer to your plants. https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/herbicide-carryover
Grasses are easier to grow from seed than native wildflowers. Wildflower seeds often have complex dormancies, and they won't germinate until they have had the right conditions (usually cold and moist).
The following seed companies will have species recommendations for your area. Look under the plant community and elevation of your area. 8,000' is a montane forest: the tree species are most likely Douglas fir, ponderosa pine and possibly some aspens with cottonwoods along the river.
Some sources for natives are:
- Western Native Seeds, Address: Coaldale, CO 81222 Phone:
<personal data hidden>
<personal data hidden> Website: https://www.westernnativeseed.com/
- Southwest Seed, Address: 13514 County Rd 29, Dolores, CO 81323 Phone: <personal data hidden>
Fax:<personal data hidden> Website: http://www.southwestseed.com/
- Pawnee Buttes seed Co., Address: 605 25th Street, Greeley, CO 80631, Phone:<personal data hidden>
Website: https://pawneebuttesseed.com/
- Arkansas Valley Seed, 4300 Monaco Street, Denver, CO 80216 Telephone:<personal data hidden>, Toll Free:<personal data hidden>, https://avseeds.com/
- Granite Seed Company, Colorado Location: 490 East 76th Ave., Unit A, Denver, Colorado 80229,<personal data hidden> or<personal data hidden>, https://graniteseed.com/
- Beauty Beyond Belief, Address: 6595 Odell Pl, Unit G, Boulder CO 80301 Phone:<personal data hidden>. Website: https://bbbseed.com/
Yvette
So helpful, thank you! I went through the Master Gardener program at the University of Arizona's Coop Ext Program in Tucson but that knowledge obviously doesn't apply here.
Before thinking of reaching out to the Colorado Cooperative Extension Program I picked up a bag of Native Western Grasses & Wildflowers from bbbseed which I'm glad to see is on your list. I'll sow in the fall before we return to Tucson and hope for some success!
We've pulled the growth that came up in the disturbed soil including this plant which may be Amaranthus? Should I have left it?
I appreciate your advice - thanks again.
Yes, the plant in the photo is redroot pigweed, a non-native species in the Amaranth retroflexus. It was appropriate to pull it. it reseeds heavily.
