FW: [Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page

[Mark Di Lucido]

You're thinking of Buffelgrass

Mark D

-----Original Message-----
From: alittlebrit at comcast.net [mailto:alittlebrit at comcast.net] 
Sent: Sunday, April 01, 2007 8:36 AM
To: Mark Di Lucido
Subject: Re: [Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page


I simply can't believe you recommended buffalo grass, when it is 
absolutely destroying the dessert.

Mark Di Lucido wrote:

>Barbara
>
>I'll assume you're located in the Phoenix area, the gradient of your
>swale isn't overly steep, your soil will support grasses (not extremely 
>sandy or clayey), and that your swale will be excavated in existing 
>common bermuda turf.  Probably most important is quick and successful 
>establishment of seedlings, otherwise a real gully washer (rain storm) 
>will wash away seed and soil.  You'll want to sow the seeds during 
>their optimum establishment period (warm season versus cool season). 
>Consider temporary irrigation and mulch to get the seeds established 
>and prevent minor erosion.  A decomposable erosion control fabric and 
>seedling plugs will probably facilitate better seed establishent but 
>you'll pay more.  If your swale is placed within a common bermuda lawn the
bermuda will eventually choke out
>(out compete) the less invasive species used in the swale.   A plastic or
>metal header at the edge of the swale will slow this down but as common 
>bermuda(bermuda cultivars don't set viable seed)is a prodigious 
>producer of viable seed, it's only a matter of time.  Seed companies 
>sell seed mixes for this type of application--look on the internet.  
>Native grass species to consider include  Blue Grama (Bouteloua 
>gracilis), Sideoats Grama (Bouteloua curtipendula), and Buffalograss 
>(Buchloe dactyloides).  These grasses stay fairly low but their 
>infloresences (flower stalks) can reach up to 3'.  Good Luck.
>
>Mark D.
>(not a Master Gardener)
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: arid_gardener-bounces at CALS.arizona.edu
>[mailto:arid_gardener-bounces at CALS.arizona.edu] On Behalf Of
>barbwolfe1 at cox.net
>Sent: Monday, March 26, 2007 5:36 PM
>To: arid_gardener at Ag.arizona.edu
>Subject: [Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page
>
>
>Barbara Wolfe
>85022
>barbwolfe1 at cox.net
>
>We are currently excavating a "grassy swale" to conduct rain water to a
>larger drainage system within our HOA.  What type of grass seed would 
>be suitable?  We would like it low-growing, and do not intend to mow 
>except rarely if it grows over 12 inches.  We want it natural....will 
>not be watering. Also want it to retard erosion. Any suggestions?
>
>
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