Establishing and Maintaining Native Warm Season Grasses

Establishing and Maintaining Native Warm Season Grasses

By Jessica Graham

My husband and I just moved to our current residence a few years ago. During that first year, we knew we wanted to attract wildlife to our property. We wanted to create a wildlife mecca, holding gamebirds, deer, and other wildlife. The first steps included planting cover and food. You see, cover can take a while to establish. One of the best habitat sources for wildlife includes planting Native Warm Season Grasses. So, we started with our switchgrass strips to create cover around our food plots. Fast forward three years, and we had a thriving habitat. The switchgrass created bedding for deer, and a safe zone for game birds. In just a few short years, we drastically increased the sightings of game on our property.

Native Warm Season Grasses
When it comes to game birds, we added switch grass to provide cover. Across the road is 160 acres of CRP with native warm season grasses. This helps support a thriving pheasant population. Let me tell you about native warm season grasses (NWSG) and why we chose to plant them. These grasses grow naturally in warm climates in North America.

They’re found in places like the Midwest and are native to Iowa. Native warm season grasses thrive in the summer when the weather is warm, unlike other grasses that grow in the spring and fall. They’re also pretty tough – they can handle hot and dry weather better than most grasses, and can even withstand droughts.

Some examples of NWSG include big bluestem, little bluestem, switchgrass, and Indiangrass. These grasses are pretty special because they have deep roots that help them survive in harsh conditions and make them more resistant to drought.

Benefits for Wildlife
Native warm season grasses (NWSG) can benefit game birds in a number of ways. Game birds such as quail, pheasants, and turkeys rely on grasslands for food, shelter, and nesting habitat. Unfortunately, many grasslands have been converted to other uses, leading to declines in game bird populations.

NWSG can help provide the habitat that game birds need to thrive. For example, the tall, dense vegetation of big bluestem and switchgrass provides excellent cover for game birds to hide from predators. Meanwhile, the seeds of NWSG provide important food sources for game birds. NWSG also provides good nesting habitat for game birds. The dense cover can help protect nests from predators, while the thick thatch layer of the grasses can provide insulation and protection from the elements. In addition to providing habitat for game birds, NWSG can also benefit other wildlife.

Seeding Tips
There is some effort that goes into maintaining a thriving stand of Native Warm Season Grasses. It can be relatively easy to seed switchgrass during the late winter months by frost seeding. The freeze-thaw action of the winter and spring gets the seed worked into the ground. Some of the other seeds, like Indiangrass can be “fluffy”. You might be better off using a precision drill, like a Great Plains drill, which is designed for planting grass seeds.

Mechanically Controlling Weeds
As mentioned earlier, Native Warm Season Grasses grow in warmer weather. However, in the spring cool season grasses, like Rye, Kentucky Bluegrass, Timothy, Fescue, and Orchard Grass, will compete for sunlight and nutrients. Since the cool season grasses start growing first, they can choke out new seeding of NWSG. To prevent this, you need to manage weeds either mechanically or chemically.

To maintain NWSG, you’ll need some specific equipment. A brush hog or flail mower can be used to mow NWSG during the early spring, before new growth begins. This will help control invasive species and promote new growth. Mowing is an important management tool for NWSG. Mowing should be done several times a year in the early spring, before new growth begins. This will help control invasive species and promote new growth. Make sure to mow the grasses to a height of six to eight inches, which will allow new growth to emerge without damaging the roots. You can then mow a time or two in the summer and again in early fall. You can mow with either a tractor and mower, or a brush cutter. If invasive species are present, brush cutting may be necessary to control them.

Chemically Controlling Weeds
If you do not have the time to keep mowing your NWSG, you have some options for chemically controlling weeds. One option is applying a broad leaf controlling chemical to suppress broadleaf weeds. This will not harm the grass, but will kill broadleaf weeds. You can also use some contact chemicals before the grass comes up, like glyphosate. Additionally, you can use some selective herbicides after the switchgrass has started growing to control selective competing grasses and/or broadleaf weeds. One common choice is herbicides with simazine as the active ingredient.

Prescribed Burning
Burning is an important management tool for NWSG. It can help control invasive species, remove accumulated thatch, and promote new growth. If you are planning on burning, you need to do so before May when the song birds start nesting in your NWSG. Burning is an important tool for managing native warm season grasses (NWSG), and when done correctly, it can have numerous benefits for the ecosystem. There are several reasons why burning is an essential management practice for NWSG. One of the primary reasons is that it promotes new growth by removing dead vegetation and creating space for new growth. This is important for maintaining the health and vitality of the grasses.

Additionally, burning can help to control invasive species that can crowd out NWSG and other native plant species. It can also reduce thatch, which is a layer of dead plant material that accumulates on the surface of the soil. Thatch can impede the growth of NWSG and other desirable plant species by preventing water and nutrients from reaching the roots. By burning the thatch, you can remove this barrier and encourage the growth of new plants. Another benefit of burning is that it can help to reduce the risk of wildfires by removing excess fuel from the landscape. Finally, burning can help to recycle nutrients back into the soil, which can improve the overall health of the ecosystem. Overall, burning is a valuable tool for managing NWSG and promoting the health of the ecosystem.

Burning switchgrass requires several essential pieces of equipment to ensure the process is safe and effective. One crucial tool is a drip torch, which starts fires in a controlled manner by dripping flaming fuel onto the ground. Safety equipment such as gloves, boots, and a fire-resistant shirt and pants are also necessary. It’s essential to have a fire extinguisher, water, and a first aid kit on hand in case of emergencies. Paddles are another vital tool for managing the fire and controlling its direction and intensity. A reliable water source is essential for putting out the fire if it gets out of control, requiring a hose or a portable water tank nearby, as well as a pump if necessary. It’s also crucial to monitor the weather conditions before and during the burn using weather radio or other monitoring equipment to track changes in wind direction and speed, humidity, and temperature. By having these essential pieces of equipment and taking necessary safety precautions, burning switchgrass can be both effective and safe.

NWSG are great for a lot of reasons. They help prevent erosion, provide habitats for wildlife, and even improve soil health. People use them for things like forage and hay production, making biofuels, and even capturing carbon from the air. Overall, NWSG are an important part of the natural landscape and provide lots of benefits for people and the environment. With a little effort and work, you can improve the wildlife habitat on your property.