Some of you may recall that I'm in the process of replacing my KBG/fescue lawn with primarily native grasses. I used some crested wheatgrass before learning that it was an import and I've also used some strawberry clover to add some nitrogen. Strawberry clover is similar to dutch white clover, but dutch white prefers acidic soils and strawberry clover does better in alkaline soils.

My main focus has been on streambank and western wheatgrass. I've added a little bit of sheep fescue into the mix, lately, as well. I'm thinking of using sheep fescue in the back yard where the dog is, because the sheep fescue doesn't grow very tall, so I may be able to get by without mowing there, or at least without mowing often.

Last fall, I planted streambank wheatgrass and western wheatgrass. At the time, I was disappointed in the germination of the western wheatgrass, but pleased with the streambank wheatgrass, especially in an area where the sprinkler died. I test the sprinklers once a month, and I think this one died right after my test at the beginning of July.

This spring, I'm seeing that there was western wheatgrass germination in that area, as well. I suspect that some of it may be due to seed that lay dormant until spring snow melt. I'm also noticing sprigs of western wheatgrass throughout the lawn, even where the KBG and fescue stayed green.

My plan for this year is to water even less than in the past until the end of fireworks season. Then I'll stop watering completely. I'll overseed again in the fall (maybe a "normal" fall seeding and a dormant seeding as well).

I don't have any pictures yet, but I'll try to post some next weekend.