I have recently had my first experience with seeding lovegrass. Risking sounding like a complete idiot, is the seed pink? My research shows no pink. My seed was pink. Nothing came up, my client wants it fixed for free, and I look, well, like I don't know what I'm doing. If in fact the seed is pink, I think I need amendment- any suggestions? It is a clay base that I scarified--rather steep hill. If the seed isn't pink, what did I put in this guys yard?
Are you talking about Eragrostis chloromelas? My nursery specializes in ornamental grasses, we havent planted any of that by seed, we propagate by division. The seed is a tan seed, never seen it pink unless it was treated to keep it from rotting. But if we were to propagate by seed we would plant in early march in a soil less mix. How big is the area? maybe you can fix it with plugs
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Matt Thompson
Thompson's Landscaping
Henderson, NC
We plant lovegrass a lot. Yes, the seed is pink so it can be seen as you plant. The seed itself is very small. Sometimes, because the seed is so small, we mix the lovegrass seed with gypsum to give the mixture more volume - easier to spread. Like most other grass seeds, lovegrass needs proper moisture and good soil to seed contact in order to germinate. Under ideal conditions we usually see germination in 7-10 days - longer without proper moisture. Sounds like you need to give it a little more time. How did you seed? Hydro seed? Straw cover? Hope this helps.
It is Eragrostis curvula. I can't find it on the market except by seed because I'm told it germinates so easily. I scattered the seed by hand, no straw cover,-- sunny area about an acre. I've read that it likes sandy soil, but that it is very hardy and will grow in hostile conditions. I will keep an eye on it, but if I need to re-seed, should I cover the seed 1/4 inch with sand? -Or something different?
Thanks for the replies,
Smitty
I just came from the site, and the seed is gone. Birds? Wind? The ground is hard dry clay,as it has been as we are in a drought. Again- I am thinking I need an amendment, or something to cover it with-- any suggestions are greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Smitty
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Enjoy the splendor
Last edited by tdlandscape : 08-14-2008 at 03:02 PM.
Reason: spelling
We always cover seed with a little bit of screened compost. If you can get it it works great and only costs us about $8/yd. Just have to be careful not to over do it. How big is the area. Straw or jute netting might be good choices.
We try to do about a quarter inch. Much thicker and the grass won't come through it. A few times I have spread the compost first and than seeded and raked it in. That has worked well too. Two acres is a big area though. Probably need 30-35 yards.
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