Karen Tappenden
Pasture horses
Horses in field
Benefits of Native Grass Species
Native insects evolved to eat certain plants. When those plants are replaced by introduced species, the insects cannot live and reproduce which can create a scarcity for the birds that eat them. When birds quit visiting your property, bothersome insects thrive -- further unbalancing the native ecosystems.
The developed parts of North America have been the most changed. Many places have few native plants and grasses as they have been replaced by introduced species that have been chosen to produce more top growth. The majority of pasture grasses are introduced or exotic species that have been further bred to put weight on cattle. Since horses have longer lifespans than cattle and are not raised for meat, it is obvious that grasses designed for cattle are not the best choices for horses.
Native grass species have deeper root systems and generally produce less above ground growth. This growth pattern creates less litter and fixes nitrogen in the soil while minimizing carbon release into the atmosphere. Soil has been described as a ‘carbon sink’ which, when used as nature intended, can eliminate the overabundance of C02 in the Earth’s atmosphere.[i]
Most native grasses do not require fertilizers or do well with light top dressings of organic matter such as compost. It is recommended to never fertilize buffalograss, which is a drought tolerant, warm season grass suitable for both pastures and lawns.
With less dependence on fertilizers, pesticides, and mowing you can cut your costs and time spent keeping your horses and pastures healthy.
Where Can You Successfully Plant Native Grasses?
Some areas have been changed because irrigation water is now available in semi-arid lands. When you grow native grasses in these areas, you should consider the additional water. Most grasses that developed to withstand drought do very well with irrigation.
Native prairie grasses succeed with rotational grazing because they developed when bison herds ate an area down then moved on. The hooves left depressions that gathered water, and the manure fertilized the prairies. Fire cleared debris and left a fertilized field for the grass to grow anew.
How Can You Replace Non-Native Grasses?
Since most pastures are planted in shallow rooted turf grasses, it’s a matter of removing the turf and replanting. Choosing the right grasses for your area can be the most difficult part of the job. Companies selling ‘native’ grass mixes often provide some native grass seed with 20 percent introduced species such as perennial ryegrass. Be aware of which grasses are actual native species, so you can successfully reintroduce native plants.
Your state’s Fish and Wildlife Department is the best first stop for finding grass species native to your are This agency will have a list of native grasses, plants, shrubs and trees for your state. Although your state’s university local cooperative extension office can be a great resource, be sure to let them know that you want to reclaim your pastures with only native species and whether you choose to do so organically instead of using herbicides to remove the existing grasses.
Standard United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) hardiness zones are helpful, but if your pasture is located in a micro climate: north or south facing hill, unusual soil moisture, warmer or cooler air or soil temperature, stronger than average wind speed or direction, and humidity -- be sure to take these factors into consideration.
What are the Best Species to Plant?
Native grasses are considered warm or cool season plants. Cool season grasses are the first to awaken in late winter and early spring. They should be planted in the fall or early spring. Warm season grasses wake up when the soil temperatures reach 60 degrees. For best results, plant when the soil temperature is at least 65 degrees.
Warm and cool season grasses grow at different temperatures and at different rates, so it is best to plant a variety of seed. This strategy ensures that your pasture will stay productive throughout the growing season.
Another benefit of variety is avoiding the monoculture syndrome that plagues our developed landscapes. Nature provides symbiotic relationships among plants, insects, and animals to create a healthy environment. When you plant varieties of grass species that evolved together, you create a diverse biome that supports native species.
lists available grass species that are suitable for forage. Check with your state’s Fish and Wildlife Department or extension office to see if there are other or more suitable native grasses for your area.
Soil type is an important factor in choosing appropriate native grass seed. Plants that evolved on clay type soils will probably not survive in sandy soils that drain quickly. The basic soil types are clay, sand, acid, and salt. Be sure to choose grasses that can tolerate your soil type.
When you choose to return your pasture to its native state, you will be making a positive contribution for your horses and your planet.
- Native Grasses Suitable for Forage
- Native Cool Season Grasses
- Canby Bluegrass
- Sandburg Bluegrass
- Mountain Brome
- Reed Canarygrass
- Alpine Fescue
- Arizona Fescue
- Idaho Fescue
- Rocky Mountain Fescue
- Rough Fescue
- Sheep Fescue
- Tufted Hairgrass
- Prairie Junegrass
- Green Needlegrass
- Needle and Thread Needlegrass
- Indian Ricegrass
- Alkalai Sacaton
- Alpine Timothy
- Beardless Wheatgrass
- Bluebunch Wheatgrass
- Slender Wheatgrass
- Thickspike Wheatgrass
- Western Wheatgrass
- Basin Wildrye
- Beardless Wildrye
- Blue Wildrye
- Canada Wildrye
- Virginia Wildrye
- Native Warm Season Grasses
- Big Bluestem
- Little Bluestem
- Sand Bluestem
- Plains Bristlegrass
- Buffalograss
- Sand Dropseed
- James’ Galleta
- Black Grama
- Blue Grama
- Sideoats Grama
- Yellow Indiangrass
- Sand Lovegrass
- Spike Muhy
- Prairie Sandreed
- Green Sprangletop
- Switchgrass
Source: https://pawneebuttesseed.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/2016-guide-to-grasses.pdf
Some Sources of Native Grass Seed
Drop Seed Native Plant Nursery (ships to KY, OH, TN, IN, IL, MO, VA, WV and PA) https://www.dropseednursery.com/
Roundstone Native Seed (eastern half of United States) https://roundstoneseed.com/
Native Plant Society Directory https://www.ahsgardening.org/gardening-resources/societies-clubs-organizations/native-plant-societies
Grow Native Massachusetts (list of retailers, wholesalers) https://www.grownativemass.org/resources/nurseries
Native Grasses http://www.nativegrasses.com/
Native American Seed https://www.seedsource.com/Default.asp
L & H Seeds (Northwest) http://www.lhseeds.com/
PT Lawn Seed (Pacific Northwest Native Seed) https://ptlawnseed.com/collections/native-seeds
Stock Seed Farms (Midwest) https://www.stockseed.com/Shop/native-grasses
Outside Pride https://www.outsidepride.com/seed/native-grass-seed/
Pawnee Buttes Seed Inc. https://pawneebuttesseed.com/pasture-reclamation/
Author Jan Evans is a Reiki and Certified Equine/Small Animal Acupressure Practitioner. Her horse’s Insulin Resistance forced her to learn alternative therapies for treating her mare’s frequent bouts of laminitis. She offers acupressure and Reiki to animals in Southern Colorado www.COAnimalAcupressure.com. Jan is also a freelance sales and marketing writer specializing in Natural/Alternative Health Markets www.HolisticHealthWriter.com.
Evans, R. D., R. Rimer, L. Sperry, and J. Belnap. "Exotic plant invasion alters nitrogen dynamics in an arid grassland." Ecological Applications 11, no. 5 (2001): 1301-1310 .https://esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1890/1051-0761(2001)011%5B1301:EPIAND%5D2.0.CO%3B2
https://www.fishwildlife.org/landing/membership/member-list
https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb/
[1] Evans, R. D., R. Rimer, L. Sperry, and J. Belnap. "Exotic plant invasion alters nitrogen dynamics in an arid grassland." Ecological Applications 11, no. 5 (2001): 1301-1310 .https://esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1890/1051-0761(2001)011%5B1301:EPIAND%5D2.0.CO%3B2
[1] https://www.fishwildlife.org/landing/membership/member-list