Native & Introduced Grasses, Forbs, Shrubs, & Wildflowers
Rivard’s Turf & Forage offers a full line of quality native grass, forbs, shrubs, and wildflowers. Contact one of our staff to find out how you can design a great native seed mix.
- Big Bluestem:
Native, warm season, bunch grass, grows 3-7 feet tall. - Little Bluestem:
Native, warm season, bunch grass, grows 1-4 feet tall. - Indiangrass:
Native, warm season, rhizomous bunchgrass, grows 3-6 feet tall. - Sideoats Grama:
Native warm season, rhizomous bunchgrass, grows 1-2 feet tall. - Switchgrass:
Native, warm season, rhizomous bunchgrass, grows 4-6 feet tall. - Canadian Wild Rye:
Native, cool season, bunchgrass, grows 3-6 feet tall. - Prairie Cordgrass:
Native warm season, rhizomous, grows 4-10 feet tall. - Blue Grama:
Native, warm season, rhizomous bunchgrass, grows 6-12 inches tall. - Green Needlegrass:
Native, cool season, bunchgrass, grows 2-3 feet tall. - Western Wheatgrass:
Native, cool season, sod forming, grows 1-3 feet tall. - Slender Wheatgrass:
Native, cool season, bunchgrass, grows 2-3 feet tall. - Tall Wheatgrass:
Introduced, cool season, bunchgrass, grows 3-7 feet tall. - NewHy Wheatgrass:
Introduced, cool season, bunchgrass, grows 2-3 feet tall. - Buffalograss:
Native, warm season, sod forming, grows 4-5 inches tall (uncut), or maintained as low cut 2-3 inches tall. - Virginia Wild Rye:
Native, cool season, bunchgrass, grows 2-3 feet tall.
To the Top.
Flowers & Shrubs
Purple Prairie Clover, Purple Coneflower, White Prairie Clover, Gray-head (Yellow) Coneflower, Canada Milkvetch, Black-eyed Susan, Partridge Pea, Blanketflower, Illinois Bundleflower, Maximillian Sunflower, Lewis Blue Flax, Yarrow, Leadplant, Gardner Saltbush, Four Wing Saltbush
This is a partial listing of our seed products.
5-Step Plan: Establishing a Native Prairie
By mowing, cultivating, or burning. A chemical application (glyphosate) might help as well. You want to make sure that your seed has as little competition as possible.
2. Prepare A Firm Seedbed:Make sure, after cultivating 4-6 inches deep, that the ground is firmly packed with a harrow or packer-wheel. This insures that the seed will be sown at a consistent depth and that it will not dry out.
3. Buy Quality Seed:It is very important to make sure that you are using the best quality seed available. Good seed insures that you will not have a problem with the flowability through your planter or spreader, making for consistent seed coverage. When you buy a seed product through a Rivard¹s dealer, you are guaranteed to get the highest quality seed available with unsurpassed vigor.
4. Plant Seed According To Specifications:If you are drill-seeding, most natives require a seeding depth of no more than 1/3 in. deep. If you are broadcasting, we recommend doubling the rate. Both practices should be followed with a light harrow or packer-wheel. To be sure of seeding specifications, check with your local NRCS office.
5. Control Weeds:Mowing or spot spraying with a chemical application can reduce weed competition. We have seen the best results of native seed stands by mowing (6-8 inches) several times a year until established. Applying a chemical application will work, but most broad leaf grass chemicals will kill the forbs and wildflowers in your seed mix. The key is mowing before the weed heads seed out and patience. A quality prairie may take between 2-4 years to establish. When it looks like your prairie has turned into a field of weeds, mow and have patience!
Following this 5-step plan will result in the beautiful native prairie that you have always envisioned.
To the Top.
