Establishment and Growth
Native grasses are usually slow to establish and plantings
may appear to have failed after the first growing season. Although
the inspector may see weed-infested areas with only spindly and
scattered individual grass plants, the stand is probably well on
its way to becoming established. There are several reasons for this
slow establishment:
- Native grasses commonly have more extensive root development than above-ground growth during the first year.
- Many native grasses do not begin growing until late spring or early summer, making their first year growing season short.
- A stand of native grasses generally requires about three years to reach maturity. Once native grasses become established, however, very few weeds can compete with them for essential nutrients and water in the soil. At maturity, native grasses may have a fibrous root system extending to a depth of five feet or more.