NewsDrop-February-2024

ROOTING FOR A TEXAS NATIVE PLANT LANDSCAPE

By: Casey Cowan , Aquifer Sustainability Supervisor

Many authors have dedicated their writing to reminiscing on the prairies of recent history; swaths of grass and wildflowers so vast they appeared never-ending. Expansive it was, the original Texas Blackland Prairie stretched twelve million acres from San Antonio, north beyond Dallas and past the Texas border. Tall and shortgrass prairies were once abundant throughout the state; however, only a fraction of these remnant grasslands now remain. These prairie systems, with their rich soils and deep-rooted plants, provide valuable ecosystem functions that support humans and wildlife. Throughout the centuries, countless natural prairie landscapes have transitioned into residential neighborhoods, where most homes are seamlessly connected through carefully maintained non-native turf lawns—an idea originating from eighteenth-century Europe. During this era, the English and French, experimented with sprawling lawns of closely mowed grass. This practice eventually garnered popularity across America where it remains common today. However, while many people find them aesthetically pleasing, turf lawns do not provide the same ecosystem functions as a diverse prairie. The upkeep of a non-native turf lawn commonly involves the use of chemicals, which can have implications for water quality and affect the health of both humans and wildlife. Non-native turf lawns also require a significant amount of water for maintenance. In fact, a publication from Texas Agriculture Extension Service sug gests that to keep your St. Augustine grass in good condition, you should “wet the soil to a depth of 6 inches” every five to ten days (Taylor & Gray, Maintaining St. Augustine grass - Texas A&M Uni versity). For perspective, a yard of five thousand square feet (which is the equivalent to three bowling lanes), would require over three thousand gallons of water for just one watering.

MANY FOLKS ARE TURNING TO WILDSCAPING

& FOR GOOD REASON.

NATIVE PLANTS HAVE ALSO EVOLVED WITH LOCAL WILDLIFE, FOSTERING CRITICAL ECOLOGICAL RELATIONSHIPS. NOT ONLY DO NATIVE PLANTS THRIVE WITHOUT CHEMICALS, BUT ONCE ESTABLISHED, THEY REQUIRE LITTLE TO NO SUPPLEMENTAL WATERING.

Not only do native plants thrive without chemicals, but once established, they require little to no supplemental watering. Native plants have also evolved with local wildlife, fostering critical eco logical relationships. Take the iconic monarch butterfly for example, this butterfly lays her eggs exclusively on milkweed (host plant). Whilst laying her eggs, the monarch will also feed on the flowers, aiding in pollination of the milkweed plant. These plant and ani mal relationships can be replicated throughout the kingdoms. From beetles to birds, wildlife thrives on diversity so having plants of dif ferent shapes, colors, heights, and genera, support far more wildlife (and the ecosystem services they provide to humans) than a mono culture of non-native turf grass.

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