Cover Crop - Native Cover Bouteloua curtipendula (Side Oats Grama)
Cover Crop - Native Cover Bouteloua curtipendula (Side Oats Grama)
Pure Live Seed
Pure Live Seed
Seed is provided in Pure Live Seed (PLS) unless otherwise stated.
Pure Live Seed (PLS) refers to the percentage of a seed lot that consists of the desired species and is viable (capable of germination).
Here's why PLS is crucial for native seeds:
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Accurate Planting:
- PLS helps determine the actual number of viable seeds in a given weight or volume of seed.
- This ensures you plant the correct amount of seed to achieve the desired density and success rate.
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Cost-Effectiveness:
- By knowing the PLS, you can avoid overspending on seed that may not germinate.
- This is especially important for native seeds, which can be more expensive than some cultivated varieties.
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Weed Control:
- PLS helps minimize the presence of weed seeds within the seed lot.
- This reduces competition for resources and ensures the successful establishment of the desired native plants.
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Ecological Restoration:
- Using high-quality native seeds with a high PLS is essential for successful ecological restoration projects.
- It helps to re-establish diverse and resilient plant communities that support local wildlife.
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Bouteloua curtipendula (Side Oats Grama) is a native grass that germinates and grows quickly. This mix is a powerful tool in Fly-Wheel-Ecology and Integrated Pest Management to reduce herbicide use.
What sets Side Oats Grama apart as a cover crop from our native rye cover crop is this is a warm-season grass. Being a warm season grass, it can add "fuel" nearly immediately to your restoration project to get it burnable quickly to aid in the control of invasive woody resprouts and other invasive species.
Also use it to help with the erosion of the soil and your precious seed. Use this cover crop to help compete against weeds and as an indicator crop to help determine if your seeding was successful. It also can be used as a carrier to help spread seed more evenly.
We recommend seeding this for spring and summer installations as a cover crop and anytime as a carrier.
Please contact us for Quantities larger than 20 lbs.
Natural Communities supplies this blend in retail seed packets for garden spaces and bulk Pure Live Seed (PLS) by the ounce, pound, and multi-acre bag for large-scale restorations.
Mix Specifications
| Mix Name | Cover Crop - Native Cover Bouteloua curtipendula (Side Oats Grama) |
| Geographic Suitability | Midwest & Eastern US (IL, WI, IN, IA, MI, MO, OH, MN, PA, MD, VA, NY, NJ, WV) |
| Broadcast Seeding Rate | 8.0 – 12.5 lbs/acre PLS (0.25 – 0.35 lbs per 1,000 sq. ft.) |
| Drill Seeding Rate | 5.0 – 8.5 lbs/acre PLS (No-till seed drill) |
| Seed Packet Coverage | Covers 100 to 250 sq. ft. |
| Recommended Nurse Crop | Oats (Spring @ 20–30 lbs/ac) or Winter Wheat (Fall @ 15–20 lbs/ac) |
Installation & Sowing Guidelines
- Site Preparation: Ensure a firm, clean, weed-free seedbed prior to broadcast or drill seeding.
- Seeding Method: Hand-broadcast, mechanical cyclone seeder, or no-till prairie drill; roll or cultipack lightly to ensure 1/8" seed-to-soil contact.
- Optimal Timing: Late fall dormant seeding (November to March) naturally stratifies conservative forb seeds for synchronized spring emergence.
Comprehensive Ecological & Growth Specifications
| Botanical Name | Bouteloua curtipendula |
| Regional Native Status | Native |
| Native Range (States) | IL, WI, IN, IA, MI, MO, OH, MN, PA, NY, KY, TN, VA, WV, NC |
| Primary Native Habitats | Mesic Prairies, Open Savannas, Prairie Borders |
| USDA Hardiness Zones | Zone 3 - 8 |
| Sunlight Exposure | Full Sun |
| Soil Moisture Range | Dry to Mesic |
| Soil pH Range | 5.5 - 7.5 |
| Height at Maturity | 2-3 |
| Spread & Growth Habit | Clumping / Well-Mannered (Non-aggressive) |
| Root Architecture & Depth | Deep Taproot System (18+ Depth) |
| Deer & Wildlife Resistance | High to Moderate |
| Drought Tolerance | Medium |
| Salt Tolerance | Low to Moderate |
| Larval Host Status | Specialist Native Pollinators & Beneficial Insects |
| Specialist Insects & Wildlife Support | Native Solitary Bees (Andrena, Lasioglossum spp.), Bumblebees (Bombus spp.), Songbirds (Winter Seed Forage), Beneficial Predatory Wasps |
| Ecological Function | High Drought & Heat Resilience, Erosion Control on Dry Slopes & Kames, Early/Late Pollinator Forage Hub, Root Biomass & Soil Structure Improvement |
| Coefficient of Conservatism (C-Value) | 8.0 |
| Germination Code / Stratification | C(30) |
| ACOE Wetland Indicator Status | FACU |
| Recommended Plug Spacing | 12 to 18 on-center |
| Plant Associates | Schizachyrium scoparium (Little Bluestem), Bouteloua curtipendula (Side-Oats Grama), Dalea purpurea (Purple Prairie Clover), Liatris aspera (Rough Blazing Star), Amorpha canescens (Lead Plant), Coreopsis palmata (Prairie Coreopsis) |
| Seed Packet Coverage | Covers 100 to 250 sq. ft. |
| Seeds Per Pound | 159200.0 |
| Broadcast Seeding Rate (PLS) | 1.50 – 3.00 lbs/acre PLS |
| Drill Seeding Rate (PLS) | 5.0 – 8.5 lbs/acre PLS |
| Recommended Cover Crop | Oats (Spring @ 20–30 lbs/ac) or Winter Wheat (Fall @ 15–20 lbs/ac) |
| Toxicity & Pet Safety | Non-toxic / Safe for native wildlife & domestic pets |
Seed
Shipping & Care
Shipping & Care
Seed ships all year and typically ships within a week of an order being placed.
We have attempted to put together some basic information regarding native seed installation, establishment, and maintenance. We hope you find it helpful. If you need further assistance on native seed establishment, please schedule a free consolation call here.
Consultation Services
Ecosystem Restoration Considerations
Native Seed Establishment Best Management Practices
Native Seed Stratification Best Management Practices
Solving a Site Problem? Get Expert Advice + Get Store Credit
Whether you're fighting severe erosion, replacing invasive species, designing a pollinator haven, or seeding large acreage, choosing the wrong species wastes time and money. Talk 1-on-1 with a restoration ecologist to map out the exact species, plug counts, or seed mixes for your soil and goals. Book a consultation and get all or a portion credited directly back to your order.
Questions & Answers
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