native grass yard - Ask Extension
Hi, I would like to convert my front yard to native grasses. It currently has grass types typically found along with a good mix of volunteers like dan...
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native grass yard #867726
Asked May 09, 2024, 12:11 PM EDT
Hi, I would like to convert my front yard to native grasses. It currently has grass types typically found along with a good mix of volunteers like dandelions, creeping charlie, and violets. I would like to avoid killing off the entire lawn mainly because I don't have the time or equipment to do it. Would a gradual approach to converting to native grasses work? I'm thinking something along the lines of using a non-selective herbicide on undesirables then covering the resulting bald patch with seeds and leaf mulch. Would this work? Or would the existing grasses fill in the spots before the seedlings can take hold? Also, I assume the grass seeds would not grow well in the hottest part of summer, leaving me only the spring and fall. Is there a better way that is less labor intensive than killing everything and starting over?
thanks!
Ramsey County Minnesota
Expert Response
I'm not sure what your goal is. Native grasses don't look like "grass" you'd associate with a lawn (big bluestem, little bluestem, prairie dropseed, etc.). If your goal is a prairie look, here is a good website:
https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/planting-and-maintaining-prairie-garden
But if your goal is a low-maintenance lawn, look here:
https://turf.umn.edu/low-input-lawns
Using a non-selective herbicide to kill what is there is a good idea, but you still will have to remove the dead sod. A slower approach is to smother the site with black plastic for several months to kill the existing plants.
Once the existing plant material is dead and gone, till compost into the existing soil to create your seedbed. You could also get a soil test done at this time and add any necessary fertilizer:
https://soiltest.cfans.umn.edu/testing-services/lawn-garden
Timing of establishing new plants will depend on how soon you can prep the seedbed. The best time to plant would be late summer.
You might want to contact a native plant supplier/landscaper for help or advice:
https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/gardens/nativeplants/suppliers.html
https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/planting-and-maintaining-prairie-garden
But if your goal is a low-maintenance lawn, look here:
https://turf.umn.edu/low-input-lawns
Using a non-selective herbicide to kill what is there is a good idea, but you still will have to remove the dead sod. A slower approach is to smother the site with black plastic for several months to kill the existing plants.
Once the existing plant material is dead and gone, till compost into the existing soil to create your seedbed. You could also get a soil test done at this time and add any necessary fertilizer:
https://soiltest.cfans.umn.edu/testing-services/lawn-garden
Timing of establishing new plants will depend on how soon you can prep the seedbed. The best time to plant would be late summer.
You might want to contact a native plant supplier/landscaper for help or advice:
https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/gardens/nativeplants/suppliers.html
