Growing Tips for Switchgrass

Switchgrass is a prairie grass that grows naturally in the central plains in the US.  This native grass provides many animals with forage and shelter.  You can grow switchgrass in masses or grow switchgrass as an accent plant by planting 10 to 12 seeds together.

Switchgrass "Trailblazer"Panicum Seeds Drought tolerant. Very hardy.

My prairie, phlox, and switchgrass

My home is located in the central states and prairie grass is abundant in large open spaces; fields, meadows, and pastures.  I like the movement of prairie grass and that it provides forage and shelter for wildlife.  A few years ago my husband and I decided to plant upland switchgrass seeds on the hilly and rocky land on the side of our home. 

The fully-grown grass attracted wild turkeys, pheasants, rabbits, foxes, and whitetail deer. Growing prairie grass has provided us with a natural way to relax.  We enjoy sitting on the deck and looking at the native grass and the wildlife. 

Choosing Prairie Grass Seed

Choose the grass seed that meets your needs do this by determining your soil type.  For heavy soil, or soil that is found in bottomland sites, you would choose a lowland switchgrass seed. This seed will grow up to 12 feet in height.  If you reside in a mountain region or hilly terrain or if your land has rocks then choose the upland seed.  The upland switchgrass will grow to a height of six feet.

Ornamental native switchgrass seeds that I recommend:

Where to Plant Grass

Choose a planting area that has well-drained soil and full sun.  

How to Plant Native Grass

Get the growing site ready for spring planting by mowing the area to the height of two inches in late fall.  

In early spring break up the soil with a tiller. Then follow the tiller with a cultivator to break up the soil clumps and then go over the soil with a lawn roller to smooth and firm the soil before planting the grass seeds.

Planting Grass Seeds

Plan to plant grass seeds when rain is in the forecast. Sow the seeds with the broadcaster and follow the broadcaster with a ½ inch layer of topsoil.

Prairie grass will germinate in 14 days and will be fully grown in 60 days.

Care for Grass

Grass will grow well if the annual rainfall is an average of 20 inches. If you have a heat wave or dry spell it is best to water the grass. 

Tips:

Switchgrass is resistant to erosion, pests, disease, drought, and pollution. It is also drought-tolerant and very hardy.

Harvest the grass after a hard frost when the crop has died back.

Switchgrass can be processed into a liquid and then used for clean energy biofuel. 

Grow switchgrass to clean the air. This grass is a natural way to remove carbon dioxide.