Not just any grass, but native warm-season grasses (NWSG). Grasses like little bluestem, big bluestem, Indiangrass, switchgrass, eastern gamagrass, and sideoats grama. Native grasslands are the most endangered ecosystem in the mid-south region of the country. Historically, this area was blanketed with vast areas of fire-maintained native grasslands with scattered trees and shrubs. NWSG primarily provide proper cover structure for wildlife, which is often a more limiting factor than food for many species of wildlife.

Because these grasses are "bunch grasses" (i.e. they do not create a sod layer) many other herbaceous plants (forbs) can coexist within stands of NWSG, making this habitat even more valuable for the three main game species folks are interested in (quail, deer and turkey). While NWSG stands provide nesting, escape, and brood rearing cover for quail and turkey, they also provide valuable food from forbs also colonizing the sites. Deer, turkey and quail benefit greatly from stands of NWSG and associated native forbs such as cone flower, black-eyed Susan, bundle flower, coreopsis, beggar’s weed, pokeweed, partridge pea, native lespedezas, and ragweed. To further enhance stands of NWSG, shrubs and small trees such as sumac, crab apple, persimmon, and wild plum provide more structure, cover and food to attract and sustain wildlife.

Native Warm Season Grasses can be established in old pastures, crop fields, under thinned pine stands, as field borders (see CP33 article), and around edges of food plots and dove fields. Plantings of NWSG and associated forbs can dramatically enhance wildlife habitat. In many instances fallow areas created to improve wildlife habitat contain seeds of aggressive sod forming grasses such as crabgrass, bahia, bermuda, or fescue, as well as noxious weeds such as dog fennel, coffee weed, and crotalaria in the soil seed bank. When areas are cleared and set aside as fallow wildlife openings these aggressive plants quickly colonize and inhibit growth of quality plants (NWSG and forbs) making it necessary to eliminate unwanted low-quality plants and then plant NWSG and associated forbs.

Establishing NWSG requires proper site preparation, and a special seeding technique. Site preparation often includes a pre-plant application of selective herbicide followed possibly by discing and culti-packing to create a clean firm seedbed. Use of a fluffy-seeder is necessary because small hairy seeds don’t spread readily from a regular spreader. To control planting depth, seed is then drilled or culti-packed into the seedbed to insure good soil to seed contact without covering the seed too deep. Because the NWSG seeds germinate slowly and weed seeds germinate quickly, another treatment of herbicide may be necessary.

Forbs can be planted at the same time as the NWSG or planted later once the NWSG is established. Planting forbs at the same time makes it difficult to manage weed problems during early establishment because many forbs are not tolerant of the herbicides needed to maintain NWSG. Waiting to plant forbs later (later in year one or in year 2) affords the freedom to use herbicides. The forb component can be adjusted to meet an individual’s objectives. For instance if the objective is to produce quail nesting and brooding habitat, then forbs such as ragweed, partridge pea, and beggar’s weed should be planted. However, if the interest is primarily aesthetic, forbs that have showy flowers like the native sunflowers should be incorporated. This lends some flexibility to this management practice whereby multiple objectives can be covered.

Once NWSG is established it is important to maintain proper cover structure. An open structure at ground level, determined primarily by the density of grass bunches, is key. This is important to quail and the poults of quail and turkey because it allows them to move freely through these areas. It is also important for deer because this open space between the grass bunches is where the forbs will grow. If NWSG is left alone without proper burning and or discing techniques it will get too thick, out-compete the forb component, and become less attractive to wildlife. Prescribed fire reduces litter buildup, stimulates new growth of both grass and forbs, and increases nutrient availability in soil. Discing is an alternative to burning in smoke sensitive areas, or for practitioners not experienced in burning techniques and safety measures. Discing sets back succession, stimulates the seed bank to germinate forbs, aids in thatch decomposition, and increases the amount of open space at ground level. Discing should be done in alternating blocks or strips across the stand from year to year. It can also be done at different times of the year to stimulate the growth of different suites of herbaceous plants. Disced strips can be used in combination with burning and serve as firelines to facilitate burning smaller blocks in an alternating pattern across a NWSG stand.

NWSG provides great habitat offering an awesome opportunity to enhance hunting success. For quail and turkey enhanced hunting comes from the ability to produce and raise young birds on an annual basis. High quality native habitat is critical for deer, which can be enhanced with NWSG. Deer feel safe in stands of native grass but are often still visible for harvest. If you are interested in enhancing the beauty and habitat quality on your property this practice can surely do that.
From improved quail, turkey and deer production and hunting to aesthetic enhancement, native warm season grasses can enrich your management program. There are also many cost-share programs out there to help financially in the establishment and management process.