August 2007. The bahia grass is beginning to die while the broomsedge and purple top grasses remain. Multiple applications are needed to kill the non-native grasses.
Native Grasses
Restoring native grasses requires the use of fire, the right herbicides, good timing, and perseverance. This series of pictures was taken at the field near the boat storage area and shows the process of how to restore native grasses.
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May 2006. Area is dominated by bahia grass. The goal is to convert the field to native grasses. |
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July 2007. It was burned in the winter of 2007 and then followed up with a bush-hog. This allows good herbicide contact with the growing grass. It was sprayed with Metsulfuron Methyl (e.g., Escort) to kill the bahia grass but not the broomsedge. |
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August 2007. The bahia grass is beginning to die while the broomsedge and purple top grasses remain. Multiple applications are needed to kill the non-native grasses. |
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October 2007. The different species of Andropogon are doing well. |
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This is how you want native grasses to grow - in clumps with bare ground between them. This allows for small animals, such as quail chicks, to easily move through the grass while still having protective overhead cover. |