Dillon P. Golding1,2, Francis A. Reith1,3, and Jonathan O. C. Kubesch1,3
Virginia Tech School of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Blacksburg, VA
Hoot Owl Hollow Farm, Woodlawn, VA
Country Home Farms, Pembroke, VA
Editor’s Note: The imperial data in this article applies to Virginia, but similar results can be expected in Kentucky.
Native grasslands in the Midsouth previously existed in a mosaic of plant communities across moisture and fertility regimes (Noss, 2013; Campbell, 2012). These grasslands persisted through a variety of edaphic, moisture, fire, herbivory, and human dynamics. The arrival of Europeans brought land use change, the removal of elk (Cervus canadensis) and bison (Bison bison) herds, and the arrival of cattle. These shifts in the fundamental drivers of these grassland ecosystems led to shifts in many native grasslands. While many native plants disappeared from the landscape, some persisted in modern plant communities.
Some of the native species that make up remaining grasslands persist despite the deleterious effects of early European settlement. These species survive because of their anatomy, management, or ecological strategy. For instance, species with lower-positioned meristems can regrow more effectively following overgrazing than species with higher-positioned meristems. Given that most pastures are managed at shorter heights than most traditional grasslands, these low-growing native grasses can persist within modern grazed ecosystems.
Figure 1. Angus × Texas Longhorn cross cow eating reproductively mature native warm-season grasses (broomsedge [Andropogon virginicus] and little bluestem [Schizachyrium scoparium]) on a seasonally stocked hillside in Carroll County, Virginia. Photo credit: Dillon P. Golding. December 11, 2023.
Similarly, native grasslands only used seasonally are more likely to persist following a grazing event than grasslands subject to year-round grazing (Figure 1). These grasses display either competitor or ruderal ecological strategies where they can handle the disturbance inherent to cattle grazing as well as the limited resources in herbaceous plant communities. Some especially persistent competitor or ruderal species might even disperse to other pastures from native grasslands.
Two of these species include splitbeard bluestem (Andropogon ternarius) and little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium). In Virginia, both species have a coefficient of conservation of 5, which suggests moderate conservative ecological behavior (DeBerry et al., 2020). These species are thus more so competitor species than ruderal ones. These species are seen on drier soils with acidic to average soil fertility throughout the Upper South (Campbell, 2012). Their meristems are closer to the soil level than species like big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii) or Indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans), which allows them to survive intense grazing events. Cattle are known to graze these grasses (Leithead et al., 1971).
By Jonathan O.C. Kubesch1,2, Dillon P. Golding1,3, Frank P. Reith1,2, Joseph D. House4, Ezra Staengl1,5, and Jenna E. Beville1
Virginia Tech School of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Blacksburg, VA
Country Home Farms, Pembroke, VA
Hoot Owl Hollow Farm, Woodlawn, VA
Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
Virginia Tech College of Natural Resources and Environment, Blacksburg, VA
Embarking on the journey of collecting, processing, and germinating native seeds can be both educational and rewarding. Whether your goal is to create a native backyard, cultivate ornamental natives, restore a natural plant community, or contribute to the conservation of indigenous plants, this guide will walk you through the essential steps and direct you to resources that improve the experience and the establishment of your native plants.
Challenges exist for many native plants, such as small wild populations, limited seed production, and even a lack of knowledge on how to handle collected seeds (Center for Plant Conservation [CPC], 2019). This guide walks through a seed collecting example to help guide your seed collecting project.
Setting Your Goal
Before you delve into the world of native seed collection, it’s crucial to define your purpose. Are you looking to establish a thriving native garden in your backyard, cultivate a visually appealing ornamental native, restore an ecosystem, or contribute to the conservation of local plant species? Understanding your goal will shape your approach and guide your efforts.
For informal or backyard gardening, many native plants are commercially available, and can be purchased rather than collected from the wild. These species are typically grown in greenhouses with ideal conditions unlike natural stands.
Collecting threatened or endangered plants without rigorous permission or planning is not condoned by the Kentucky Native Plant Society (KNPS), the Office of Kentucky Nature Preserves, or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Another option would be working with private landowners to procure seed. Be sure to coordinate with the landowner far in advance of your intended seed collection, not only to obtain permission, but also so that they do not use the land for another purpose and disrupt the seed production. Landowners might be more keen to set this land, or a section of their land, aside for your seed collection if you offer to share some of the collected seed with them. Plant conservation projects can be extremely rewarding and benefit greatly from citizen scientists and landowners. The KNPS actually offers several student and public research grants that support plant conservation and propagation for Kentucky plants.
For the farmer or land manager, your goals will be considerably different. Whether you want to be more environmentally friendly with your operation or wish to reap the benefits that come with adding natives to your landscape, species selections and subsequent collections should be tailored to function.
First and foremost, a farm is a business and has to be treated as such. Luckily, some native plants can improve the profitability of your farm. Converting a property entirely into natives may be a lofty goal, especially given limited seed availability. Consider transforming a smaller section of your land into natives and try it out. See how you, your livestock, and the wildlife enjoy it and then decide what is best for your operation.
There are many natives that are beautiful and agriculturally productive, but, the bulk of research has coalesced around the big four: switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), big bluestem (Andropogon gerardi), little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), and indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans). TheUSDA Natural Resources Conservation Service considers these four grasses valuable for both livestock feed and ecosystem services and are what the authors recommend for the skeptical farm owner to try.
There are guides which tell which of these four species to plant in different environments. You could greatly increase the forage value of the stand by also planting clover (Trifolium spp; preferably but not necessarily native) alongside the native grasses. Clovers enhance the nutritive value and provide nutrients through nitrogen fixation.
Virginia Tech School of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Blacksburg, VA
Country Home Farms, Pembroke, VA
In the acidic, drier soils of the Bluegrass State and the Upper South, splitbeard bluestem (Andropogon ternarius) graces our landscapes with its elegant presence. This botanical marvel stands at comparable heights to little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), reaching heights of 3 to 6 feet, its feathery seed heads resembling delicate beards that lend an air of elegance to the verdant tapestry of Kentucky’s native flora. This member of the primary bluestem genus is most distinctive at the end of the growing season, generally September to November in Kentucky. Splitbeard bluestem captivates with its slender stems swaying gracefully in the breeze. Its ethereal silvery seed heads add a visual symphony to the landscape, creating a picturesque image in the minds of those who encounter it (Figures 1).
Figure 1.Splitbeard bluestem growing in a working cow-calf grazing system in Carroll County, Virginia. Photo credit: talented, yet unnamed research assistant. September 29, 2023.
Splitbeard and little bluestems can be differentiated from one another quite easily at the end of the season. Little bluestem florets curl up and down the stalk without branching. Splitbeard bluestem seed heads are especially feathery, branching, and generally convey a pinker hue than little bluestem (Figure 2).
Figure 2. Little bluestem (left hand) and splitbeard bluestem (right hand). Both bluestems growing in a working cow-calf grazing system in Carroll County, Virginia. Photo credit: talented, yet unnamed research assistant. September 29, 2023.
Splitbeard bluestem is well documented in the Upper South: particularly in Kentucky and Tennessee. Herbarium specimens catch the species in the Cumberland and Allegheny Plateaus, the Highland Rim, the Ridge and Valley, and the Blue Ridge Mountains. Venturing into Kentucky’s diverse ecosystems, splitbeard bluestem thrives in various habitats, from sunny prairies to open woodlands. Ecotones — transitions between habitats or sun regimess — seem to be a key area to find this native grass (Figure 3). This resilient native weaves its story across acidic, well-drained soils.Splitbeard bluestem consists of a group of native grasses adapted to fire and herbivory in the landscape. Embarking on a journey through ecological history, splitbeard bluestem emerges as stalwart, surviving regular fires, elk (Cervus canadensis), and bison (Bison bison). Codeveloping with the region’s fauna, it has weathered the ages, adapting to the rhythms of fire and contributing to the rich tapestry of native ecosystems.
Figure 3. Splitbeard bluestem growing along an ecotone between open pasture and pine woodland in a working cow-calf grazing system in Carroll County, Virginia. Photo credit: talented, yet unnamed research assistant. September 29, 2023.
Virginia Tech School of Plant and Environmental Sciences; Blacksburg, VA
Country Home Farms; Pembroke, VA
Eastern North America’s tall fescue grasslands produce a plethora of beef stockers, replacement heifers, and cow-calf pairs. These pastures replaced a variety of native woodlands and grasslands in the past 70 years. While tall fescue is a useful forage for much of the year, most tall fescue acreage consists of toxic endophyte Kentucky 31 tall fescue. This endophyte reduces animal performance in terms of average daily gain, reduced reproductive success, and decreased milk production. A lot of this tall fescue acreage cannot be easily converted to alternate forages, such as novel endophyte tall fescue or warm-season forages, in part due to soil conservation as well as economic constraints.
Producers might be able to reduce or eliminate toxic endophyte effects in cattle by overseeding this tall fescue with clovers. Clovers (Trifolium spp) are commonly overseeded into tall fescue stands. Red (T. pratense) and white (T. repens) clovers are currently recommended in Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia for pasture clover. There are native alternatives to red and white clover.
A suite of native clovers are present in the United States. Kentucky historically had at least three native species from the Mississippi River to the Appalachian Plateau. These species were present in native grasslands and woodlands throughout the region at the time of European settlement. Native clovers declined with land use change, overgrazing, and fire suppression, but they are still present in modest populations. Native clovers serve a similar nutritional role to wildlife as red and white clovers serve for livestock. Conservation crop science has led to some study as to whether native clovers are agronomically competitive with red and white clover.
Cattle nutrition can justify native clover conservation in pastures
Clovers provide crude protein to cattle in cool-season grasslands. This additional crude protein comes with no additional nitrogen (N) fertilization. Native clovers often serve as the protein concentrate for native ungulates such as bison and deer, as well as monogastric species such as turkeys. Secondary metabolites, such as isoflavones, can dilute or interfere with the alkaloids found in tall fescue pastures. Screening native clover species for traditional metrics of nutritive value can make subsequent analysis for secondary metabolites more effective. Ultimately, this project would provide publishable data regarding the nutritional value of native clovers in comparison to red and white clover under common conditions. This data would guide existing research at Virginia Tech, including Bee-friendly Beef (NIFA-funded). Native clovers are a prime candidate for native plants in livestock production. Including native plants in working grasslands could provide production and conservation opportunities, especially if native clovers offer improved animal nutrition over introduced species.
Native clovers can support cattle and co-exist with non-native grasses
Native clovers are an important protein source in the western rangelands. Species nutritional value has been reported for several of the species native to California, Wyoming, and Oregon range (Bentley & Green, 1954; Cooper, 1957; Cooper and Hunter, 1959; Hamilton, 1961; Hamilton & Gilbert, 1971). These western clovers establish in stands and grow similarly to their nonnative equivalents (Lulow, 2008). Clovers from the eastern United States have only recently been investigated for their agronomic potential. Native clovers have similar agronomic performance relative to traditional red and white clovers.
Image: Jonathan Kubesch
1990s research suggests that native and nonnative clovers cannot be easily crossed, but native species such as Carolina (T. carolinianum) and peanut (T. polymorphum) clovers in addition to the buffalo clovers have improved pest resistance relative to red and white clovers (Taylor et al., 1994; Quesenberry et al., 1997). Running buffalo clover (T. stoloniferum) is competitive in orchardgrass stands subject to hay and forage clipping schedules (Barker and Sparks, 2013). Running buffalo clover also appears to persist in regularly grazed pastures (e.g. Taylor Fork Ecological Area, Eastern Kentucky University; Good Enough Farm, Peru, Indiana). Buffalo clover (T. reflexum) has a similar seed weight and comparable establishment as red and white clovers (Sanne et al., 2023; Kubesch et al., 2023). This work is lacking in reporting the nutritional value of these native clovers.
By Jonathan O.C. Kubesch1,2, Derek Hilfiker 1,2, Frank Reith 1,2, Dillon Golding 1,3 , Joe House4, Jenna Beville1, Peter Arnold1,5, and Forrest Brown1
Virginia Tech School of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Blacksburg, VA
Country Home Farms, Pembroke, VA
Hoot Owl Hollow Farm, Woodlawn, VA
Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
Arnold Classic Farms, Chestertown, MD
The vast majority of Kentucky’s population is not directly involved with livestock. However, backyard chickens have become a popular trend in recent years. Many people are raising chickens both for their fresh eggs and as pets. Some households even dabble in turkeys and ducks. While these birds can be a fun and rewarding addition to any backyard, there is some debate about whether or not they harm native plants and landscaping. In this article, we discuss both sides of the argument to determine whether backyard chickens help or harm native plants. Potential solutions and management ideas will also be presented in this article to balance your interest in native plants as well as backyard poultry.
Benefits of Backyard Poultry for Native Plants
There are several ways that you and your native plants can benefit from raising backyard poultry. In this section, we’ll review a few.
Pest control
One of the primary benefits of backyard chickens and other poultry is that they can help control pests. Chickens love to eat insects and other small animals that can be harmful to native plants. A few examples of this are chickens searching and eating beetle grubs such as June beetles (Cotinis nitida), common black ants (Lasius niger), and brown marmorated stink bugs (Halyomorpha halys). Removing these insects can be beneficial to desired plants. By reducing the number of pests in your backyard, your plants are more likely to thrive and grow.
Free organic fertilizer
Another benefit of backyard chickens is that they can provide a source of natural fertilizer. Manure is composed of ammonium, which is a volatile form of nitrogen, and organic N, which is stable but not immediately available. Poultry manure has one considerable advantage: it does not require commercial production and is a by-product of livestock production. Chicken manure is high in nitrogen, which is essential for healthy plant growth. By adding chicken manure to your garden, you can improve the soil quality and increase the nutrient content of your plants. This can help native plants grow stronger and healthier, making them more resistant to pests and diseases.
Poultry manure is a valuable resource that is often undervalued and subsequently misused in gardens and on farms. Fresh poultry manure typically contains 1.3% nitrogen (N), of which 55% is available for crop uptake (Zublena et. al 1996). Poultry manure also contains between 1.1-1.3% P2O5 (phosphate) and 0.5-0.8% K2O (potash). When using recommended poultry stocking rates, an average of 19 lbs N/ac, 31 lbs P2O5/ac, and 16 lbs K2O/ac are defecated in poultry manure monthly. If you were to assume a 40-lb bag of 13-13-13, a commonly used home fertilizer, costs $20, then accounting for the nitrogen contribution of poultry manures saves you $73 per acre each month on fertilizer. Scaled to your backyard, this might translate to $33 of nitrogen savings.
Of course, the nutrients from the manure need to be utilized, otherwise the full economic benefits will not be realized. Native plants are often slower to use nitrogen compared to introduced species, and so limited applications of poultry manure are preferable to larger deposits. To best utilize the manure nutrients, consider rotating poultry through garden or lawn areas, which will help nourish plant growth without the need for synthetic fertilizers. Backyard gardeners might prioritize getting their bird manure into vegetable gardens, then cool-season lawns, and finally into native plantings. Synthetic fertilizers are incapable of adding carbon to the soil as they do not contain carbon. When considering the immediate savings on fertilizer and the long-term increase in soil carbon, having poultry provides many other benefits beyond the meat and eggs produced.
Figure 1. Nitrogen cycle in mineral soils showing various transformations and processes related to fertilization practices (Havlin et al., 2014).
Nitrogen cycling in mineral soils is a complex process with several pathways: plant uptake, soil-bound, aqueous losses via leaching, gaseous losses via denitrification, nitrification, and urea hydrolysis (Figure 1). Although manure and urea forms of nitrogen result in gaseous losses, utilizing litter as a part of a fertility regimen is a beneficial use of a by-product of livestock production. Additionally, using a mobile coop may be advantageous compared to stationary chicken coops, which often result in exposed soil. Exposed soil presents an issue when considering the advantages of poultry litter fertilization. When there is a lack of plant cover to protect the soil, there is additionally a lack of plant matter to incorporate nitrogen from poultry litter.
Improved soil organic matter
Poultry manures also provide valuable carbon (C) to the soil, something that inorganic fertilizers cannot do. Coops and runs full of wood shavings, sawdust, or other carbon sources can bind up the nitrogen in poultry manure and produce a more stable compost. Poultry manure can be a more stable form of fertilizer for native plants as the bedding material immobilizes nitrogen and then gradually releases the nitrogen back into the rhizosphere.
Plant roots can then uptake this nitrogen. This carbon is cycled by soil microbes into soil organic matter, which helps soil hold more water and provide more nutrients to plants, among many other benefits. While it is difficult to place a monetary value on the carbon additions of poultry manure, repeated applications will build up soil organic matter, saving you money in the long run from the countless benefits seen from increased organic matter. It should be noted that shavings are an additional cost to consider. This organic matter can also serve as an enriched mulch around native plant beds that can suppress weed seedlings.
Health and safety considerations
The direct application of fresh manure can also be detrimental to plants and their fruits. High levels of nitrogen, in the forms of urea and ammonia, and salts are often toxic to common vegetables and fruits. A direct application may quickly kill many desirable species. Conversely, manure with shavings will increase the amount of carbon present, which will immobilize nitrogen, making it less available to plants (Mahr, 2012). Bacteria harmful to humans such as E. Coli are often present in manure as well.
Composting recommendations vary, but it is generally accepted that poultry litter should be aged for 3-5 months and have reached a temperature of 140-160 degrees Fahrenheit. The USDA recommends waiting 120 days before eating crops fertilized with manure (Swanson, 2016).
Native plants for the backyard flock
Certain native plants can tolerate disturbance and high soil fertility, such as the rare previously federally-listed running buffalo clover (Trifolium stoloniferum). In another case, wild onions (Allium canadense) tend to grow rapidly, exhibit good health, and have increased numbers after a period of poultry foraging (F. Reith, personal observation). Across eastern North America, some native plants can even require regular disturbance to remain useful to wildlife (Table 1) (Kubesch et al., 2022; Brooke & Harper, 2018).
Common name
Scientific name
Big bluestem
Andropogon gerardii
Little bluestem
Schizachyrium scoparium
Indiangrass
Sorghastrum nutans
Black-eyed Susan
Rudbeckia hirta
Maximilian sunflower
Helianthus maximiliani
Annual gaillardia
Gaillardia pulchella
Running buffalo clover**
Trifolium stoloniferum
Wild Onion
Allium canadense
Table 1. Native herbaceous plants with tolerance to high fertility and/or disturbance conditions.*
*Based on ongoing research at Virginia Tech as part of Bee-Friendly Beef; Kubesch, 2018. **Running buffalo clover will be commercially available in 2027 in Kentucky. The authors anticipate that commercial availability will allow this species to serve as an alternate turf.
It is important to have woody plants that can benefit poultry year-round and cater to their needs. These species should provide shelter, protection, and serve as a food source. A variety of trees and shrubs can create layered diversity even across a “thin” woodland or a mixed range. Picture this as a layered forest garden for your flock.
Amongst the native species, there are a few that stand out and will serve your birds well:
Mulberry (Morus spp.) is a native deciduous tree that most landowners probably already have on their property. It produces sweet berries that are loved by poultry and it can tolerate a wide range of soils and is easy to grow.
Another great woody plant is serviceberry. Serviceberry (Amelanchier arborea) is another native deciduous shrub that can tolerate poultry well. It produces clusters of white flowers in the spring followed by blue to black berries in the summer.
Elderberry (Sambucus spp.) is a small tree that you might already have due to its preference for rich soils. This tree would do well downslope in a backyard. It provides shade and serves as an additional food source.
A tree that also might be found downslope is the dogwood (Cornus spp.) as it too thrives in rich, fertile soil. It will provide your flock with late season fruit to further diversify their diet.
Another great tree, especially for the winter months, is the crabapple. Crabapple (Malus spp.) has a tendency to hold onto its fruit until late fall/early winter and gradually drop off.
Further recommendations for shelter include eastern red cedars (Juniperus virginiana) and Willows (Salix spp.). Additional woody plant suggestions include various bramble fruits that are easily accessible to your birds. These include, but are not limited to blackberries, raspberries, and dewberries (Rubus spp).
Poultry can also be used to convert lawns into native plantings by destroying the existing vegetation (Arnold et al., 2022). This process is often unintentionally done when people first get into backyard chickens or poultry; however, it can be beneficial. Birds will forage and scratch through existing vegetation repeatedly when looking for food. Poultry preferentially eat broadleaf plants over grassy ones which can help to control the succulent broadleaf weeds around native plants. Furthermore, the continuous presence and addition of manure will also suppress and kill plants.
These actions combined will rapidly convert land to mud, dust, and manure when there is a large and stationary population. Poultry will not disturb more than the first 2-3 inches of soil generally, but nonetheless are an efficient form of “tillage” (Lee & Foreman, 2011). Such shallow tillage might be ideal for native plant seeding as it creates a fertile and loose seed bed. This scratching will likely be insufficient to plug plants. Controlled long-term presence of poultry may therefore allow for a natural, low cost, and easy form of native seed bed preparation.
By Jonathan O. C. Kubesch*,**, Frank Reith*, Dillon P. Golding*,***, Jake Sanne*, Forrest Brown*, Derek Hilfiker*, Joseph D. House****, Jenna Beville*, and Peter Arnold*,*****
*Virginia Tech School of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Blacksburg, VA
**Country Home Farms, Pembroke, VA
***Hoot Owl Hollow Farm, Woodlawn, VA
****Indiana National Guard, West Lafayette, IN
*****Arnold Classic Farms, Chestertown, MD
The public is familiar with red (Trifolium pratense) and white clover (Trifolium repens) growing throughout the Kentucky Commonwealth. However, North America, from Oregon to Florida, is home to a plethora of native clover species. Buffalo clover (Trifolium reflexum) is one of several clover species native to the eastern U.S.A. (Kubesch et al., 2022; Kubesch, 2020). This species demonstrates annual to short-lived perennial life histories, and has potential as a horticultural or agronomic crop (Quesenberry et al., 2003; Kubesch, 2020).
Current efforts to increase native clover populations involve laudable efforts regarding site management, as well as conservation horticulture (e.g Littlefield, 2022). After a site is prepared for planting, plugs are produced. Conservation horticulture work currently executes the following procedure:
Germinate seeds on filter paper in petri dishes (Figure 1)
Transfer seedlings to cell pack trays
Pot up plants into small pots (Figure 2)
Plug individuals into spaced nurseries or maintain on benches for seed production
Figure 1. Running buffalo clover (Trifolium stoloniferum) germinating on filter paper under laboratory conditions. Smyth Hall, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA January 30, 2023.Figure 2. Running buffalo clover (Trifolium stoloniferum) growing in the greenhouse. University Greenhouses Bay 7A, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA February 3, 2023.
In restoration and agronomic contexts, seeding clover has a logistic and resource advantage over plugging clovers. Seeding clover can reduce the need for intensive planting efforts, reduce soil disturbance, and ease transportation of unique plant material. Seeding approaches require a basis for setting a seeding rate and dates. Often, clovers are timed for planting between Valentines’ Day and St. Patrick’s Day in the Upper South. Introduced red and white clovers are commonly frost seeded every several years into cool-season pastures (Kubesch et al., 2020).
Seeding clovers can also take advantage of physiological mechanisms that improve seed establishment. In the field, frost seeding involves defoliation of an existing grassland stand, broadcasting clover seed onto the stand, and letting freeze-thaw cycles incorporate the seed into the soil surface. Compared to many native and introduced grasses, clover seed coats allow the seed to survive freeze-thaw incorporation into the soil surface. Quesenberry et al (2003) reports that buffalo clover has a similar seed weight to introduced clovers. A common rate of pasture frost seeding is 4 lb/A red clover and 2 lb/A white clover (Kubesch et al., 2020).
Optimizing rather than maximizing seeding rate is desirable given the limited seed availability of buffalo clover as well as the desire to increase planting area in restoration attempts. Managers want to get a good stand with as little seed as necessary. In addition to generating stand densities that justify direct seeding over plugging, an optimal seeding rate should generate ground cover that conserves soil as well as meets existing criteria for composition.
The present experiment sought to determine whether a 2 lb/A or a 4lb/A seeding rate can optimize buffalo clover establishment relative to white and red clover. This objective was measured through emergence as well as cover assessments. The hypothesis of this study was that the higher seeding rate will achieve the aforementioned targets comparable to, or greater than, red clover and white clover.
Peter Arnold, Virginia Tech School of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Arnold Classic Farms
David N. Bellangue, Virginia Tech School of Plant and Environmental Sciences
Jenna Beville, Virginia Tech School of Plant and Environmental Sciences
Forrest Brown, Virginia Tech School of Plant and Environmental Sciences
Dillon P. Golding, Virginia Tech School of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Hoot Owl Hollow Farm, Woodlawn, VA
Joseph D. House, Indiana Army National Guard
J. Leighton Reid, Virginia Tech School of Plant and Environmental Sciences
Jonathan O. C. Kubesch, Virginia Tech School of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Arnold Classic Farms, Country Home Farms, Pembroke, VA, Kentucky Native Plant Society
The majority of turf and pasture species in Kentucky are cool-season species from the Old World. In suburban yards, these species might include Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis), orchard grass (Dactylis glomerata), and tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinaceus). These grasses rose to prominence because they tolerate the mowing, fertilization, and usage regimes of most pastures and yards. Weekend games and parties in the backyard are hard on the soil surface, and thick sods can reduce soil erosion.
Cool-season lawns have limitations. In many yards, the amount of foot traffic doesn’t justify maintaining a thick green lawn. Fertilizer, gas, and mower repair might be money better spent on other activities around the house. Additionally, intensively managed lawns can add pollutants into the wider environment. Finally, while all grasses produce wind-pollinated flowers, these flowers do not necessarily support the pollinators in decline across eastern North America.
More people are eager to convert lawns and pastures to native species, primarily wildflowers, grasses, and small woody plants. These native plantings can replace traditional garden beds, take up dedicated areas, or even replace the entire backyard lawn. Native plantings reintroduce native species back into suburban areas. These native plantings provide a great introduction to our natural heritage for young children as well as a proving ground for restoration of natural plant communities at larger scales.
How do we convert cool-season lawn and pasture into native plantings? Cool-season grasses tolerate a fair deal of abuse, which can make them challenging to kill. A stepwise planning and planting process can help with killing lawns as well as planting native species. A fair deal of technical and popular literature is available to help guide interested homeowners and landowners to make the switch, but here’s a quick guide to help frame your conversion.
Step 1. Assess the site and set your goals for the planting
Site assessment should precede any action. Without an idea of the resources, site condition, or a plan, a native planting is less likely to succeed in meeting your goals. This assessment should consist of a soil test and a composition assessment. Soil testing should be in accordance with guidelines from the University of Kentucky soil testing lab. The routine soil test can determine basic soil fertility, and the organic matter test can decide whether additional amendments, such as compost or straw or wood mulch, are required.
Jonathan Kubesch soil sampling at the Shenandoah Valley Agricultural Research and Extension Center (Steeles Tavern, VA) on March 27, 2021. Photo credit: David Bellangue.
If such amendments are added, please consider the Carbon to Nitrogen (C:N) ratio. Carbon will tie up nitrogen making it unavailable to the plants, meaning additional nitrogen will be necessary to ensure proper microbial breakdown of amendments and proper growth for the plants. Plant species need to be selected based on soil acidity.
Most American lawns are a mixture of cool-season grasses, introduced legumes, and native as well as non-native broadleaf forbs. Getting an idea of the yard composition can be as simple as walking the yard and at 100 points determining the plants nearest to a boot tip. This step point method is quick and effective. This assessment does not need to be overly formal: grass, clover, and broadleaf weeds. This initial composition can determine the efficacy of different conversion strategies.
Homeowners Associations and other regulatory bodies may not like how these stands look, especially considering that most native plants are not subject to regular, short mowing. Be as pragmatic as possible, not fanciful. Evaluate your situation and act in the most effective way to meet your goals. These organizations could be persuaded to be more supportive of these actions if the yard can advance conservation, environmentalism, and biodiversity protection. After confirming approval, native plantings should be planned appropriately.
Goals for native plants depend on what you expect from your site. Producing native blooms for pollinators might favor a semi-natural wildflower bed, whereas a meadow mix might be more appropriate for wildlife. A native lawn may not be a possibility right away, but native areas with walking paths or native beds might be a great way to move toward a wilder yard.
A general plant community is a great way to frame a native bed or area in the yard, and here are a few questions to help you get started:
Will this plant community be grassy, flowery, or woody?
Are there any priority species for your area?
Will the area be a series of managed beds, or a semi-natural meadow with walking paths?
Are trees and woody plants part of the native planting?
Is shade a factor of the area?
Will you need to consider how much light is needed for desired native plants?
Increasing the diversity of species in the planting can improve plant growth and competition against weeds, as well as reduce pest pressure. Native plants come with different management requirements than cool-season grasses and limitations. These species grow from March to November and then go dormant, leaving brown stubble. Native turfs are being evaluated in the eastern USA, but low-growing western natives are not necessarily native to Kentucky nor do these species compete well with weeds when water isn’t limited.
If you’re seeking to create a landscape similar to what existed pre-settlement, consider using regional plant and seed suppliers, and ask Kentucky Native Plant Society officers about what might work in your geography. Consider building a plant community that might resist extreme climatic events.
