We ripped out our lawn and replaced with Mexican feather grass in early April. The crew we hired planted 100 gallon size plants but they didn’t get enough. So, a week later, we planted 72 additional 4” plugs. It looks like half are doing well and the other half are dying. I can’t remember which ones we planted, so I don’t know if it’s the ones they planted or the ones we followed up with (spaced them between the gallon ones).
We have drip irrigation set up on a timer.
What could be the explanation? We spread another layer of mulch (with cardboard) in early may and I did a drip line audit. All the plants look like they are getting water.
If this was you, what would you set your drip irrigation timing on?
We are in central Texas, zone 8b. All native drought tolerant plants. We’ve already hit 100deg this year so any advice to get us through the summer is welcome!
by Active-Principle-961
9 Comments
If you planted plugs and they did gallon size you should be able to tell what you planted. This grass needs well drained soil and minimal water once established. I would suspect too much water as a possible problem. Are the ones that are not doing well random or are they in one or two areas?
Unless you’re in West Texas where Mexican Feathergrass is native, it’s probably a good thing it’s dying; it can become invasive. Which is a shame because it can be very attractive.
[https://www.gardenstylesanantonio.com/plants/mexican-feathergrass/](https://www.gardenstylesanantonio.com/plants/mexican-feathergrass/)
As long as some of them survive, you will eventually have more than you know what to do with. My neighbor gave me a “pup” from hers and now it’s everywhere. (I am in CA and it is invasive so I’m trying to get rid of it but it self seeds like crazy).
I would guess they took a hit from being transplanted recently + the heat. 100f is very hot. Also grasses naturally go brown when it gets too hot and dry so hopefully this a response to that stress. They go dormant and then regrow again when the weather allows. I would keep everything for another year and see if they show signs of green. If some die, no problem, now you have new spots to add a little variety lol. In most climates it’s best to plant stuff in the fall or early spring, and it always takes a couple years for a plant to start thriving.
Was soil good and wet when you planted? I lost the first and only Mexican Feather Grass I planted because grasses are touchy about going into dry ground. Then there were dozens of seedlings the following spring…
I’d water the survivors once a week for a couple months, something like 3-4 gallons of water per plant then wean them off to once a month. You don’t want to keep drought tolerant plants constantly damp.
Rake them with a comb when ugly clumps of seeds collect. So satisfying once finished.
I’d replace some of the dead ones with something else so you have some variety In there. Native best and be sure it tolerates the same amount of water.
I would not rely on a timer … you need to dig down near a few plants and look at the dirt and feel it for moisture. The symptoms of over-watering and under-watering are very similar.
Get a simple moisture meter and use it.
[https://www.amazon.com/Hathdia-Moisture-Hygrometer-Outdoor-Battery](https://www.amazon.com/Hathdia-Moisture-Hygrometer-Outdoor-Battery)
I hate this stuff. Just when I think I’ve finally got all of it, another tuft pops up. It’s also pretty flammable and its dense growth pattern can stuff a lot of fuel in, which makes it another concern for homeowners in areas that face wildfires.
If you’re looking for something different, Buffalo grass is native to your area and if kept green will reduce fire risk. Can be mowed but looks gorgeous when allowed to grow wild.
Probably too much water or soil staying too moist with the cardboard and mulch
Too late now but should have gone with sideoats grama, blue grama, and little bluestem plugs. Seeds are cheap though, you’ll get better results
Can you add some additional plants that are variated?
I think you just need to be patient. Next year it will look the way you want it to.