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Rocky Mountain Xeric Yard Kit
SKU: BDL-RMXERIC
$304.99 $38.12/lb
- Covers 3,000 sq ft
- Seeding rate: 2.5–3 lb per 1,000 sq ft
- 8 lb bundle
Total Price: $304.99
Estimated Delivery: 15-18 business days
What is the Rocky Mountain Xeric Yard Kit?
The Rocky Mountain Xeric Yard Kit is a native-species seed blend designed for the specific challenges of high-elevation western landscapes. Above 4,500 feet, traditional lawn grasses require constant irrigation, struggle with UV intensity, and die back unpredictably during late freezes. This kit uses three native grasses that are fully adapted to Rocky Mountain conditions — they have evolved alongside the region's freeze-thaw cycles, thin soils, and seasonal drought for thousands of years. The result is a permanent, low-maintenance yard that looks intentional and belongs in the landscape.
What's in This Bundle
Native warm-season grass, low growing, extreme drought and cold tolerance
Native warm-season bunchgrass, heat and cold hardy, iconic eyelash seed heads
Native cool-season bunchgrass, erosion control, rocky soil specialist
Specifications
Seeding Specs
Water Needs Very Low — no irrigation once established
Soil Preference Rocky, clay, sandy loam, or thin native soils common at elevation
Soil pH 6.0–8.0
Planting Depth 1/4 inch (press into soil surface)
Establishment Specs
Height Grass layer 4–8 inches; Indian Ricegrass 12–24 inches
Color Blue-green to tan seasonal; tan seed heads fall and winter
Uses Xeriscape lawn, high-elevation turf replacement, slope stabilization, native restoration
Native/Introduced All three species native to the Rocky Mountain short-grass prairie
Why Choose This Seed?
Three Native Species
Every species in this kit is native to the Rocky Mountain grassland ecosystem. They evolved alongside the region's chinook winds, July thunderstorms, late-May freezes, and alkaline soils. Native grasses do not fight your climate — they work with it. Once established, they require no fertilizer, rarely need mowing, and come back from winter dormancy stronger each spring.
Blue Grama: Rocky Mountain Icon
Blue Grama is the signature native grass of the Rocky Mountain short-grass prairie. It forms dense, low mats with fine blades and produces distinctive curved seed heads that attract native birds. It tolerates temperatures below -30°F without winterkill, handles both sandy and clay soils, and thrives in the dry, high-UV growing conditions above 5,000 feet that defeat most imported grasses.
Indian Ricegrass: Slope Stabilizer
Indian Ricegrass is a cool-season native bunchgrass with deep, fibrous roots that hold soil on slopes, disturbed sites, and rocky ground. It establishes in conditions where other grasses fail — gravel margins, road cuts, dry banks — and produces large, nutritious seed heads favored by songbirds. Its upright form adds visual texture to contrast the low-growing mat species in this mix.
Cold Hardy to Zone 4
All three species in this kit are rated to USDA Zone 4 or colder. Buffalograss survives -20°F. Blue Grama is documented to Zone 3. Indian Ricegrass handles -30°F in established stands. For homeowners in Boulder, Fort Collins, Park City, Cheyenne, or Taos — elevation and cold are no barrier. These grasses were here before the houses were built.
Slow to Establish, Long to Last
High-elevation native grasses establish more slowly than conventional turf — expect 60–120 days to full cover, not 30. This is normal. Native roots invest energy downward before they push visible top growth. The payoff is a stand that deepens and thickens every year for decades without reseeding, replanting, or costly irrigation infrastructure.
How to Use the Rocky Mountain Xeric Yard Kit
Site Prep
Remove existing vegetation fully. At elevation, weed competition is the leading cause of native grass establishment failure. Solarize in summer or treat with herbicide and wait the label interval. Rake to bare mineral soil and loosen the surface to 1–2 inches. On slopes, use a hard rake to create micro-furrows that catch seed and prevent wash-off. Do not add topsoil — native grasses prefer lean, native conditions.
Seeding
For dormant fall seeding, broadcast at 2.5–3 lb per 1,000 sq ft after the first hard frost. Seed will overwinter and germinate in spring without any watering from you. For spring seeding, broadcast after the last hard freeze (soil temp above 50°F) and water in immediately. Rake seed lightly after broadcasting or use a roller to press into the soil surface for maximum contact.
Establishment
For spring seeding, water lightly once daily for the first 4–6 weeks. Native grasses at elevation establish slowly — expect germination in 3–8 weeks. Blue Grama and Buffalograss typically appear first, with Indian Ricegrass showing in weeks 4–8. Do not panic if the stand looks thin in year one — most native grass root mass is built underground in the first season. Year two brings noticeably denser top growth.
Long-Term Care
After establishment, mow once or twice per season at 4–5 inches to remove thatch and encourage density. Water once a month in summer during drought years; in normal precipitation years no supplemental irrigation is needed above 5,500 feet. Never fertilize — native grasses evolved in lean soils and excess nitrogen promotes weedy annual grasses that compete aggressively. Remove any broad-leaf weeds by hand in years one and two.
Helpful Resources
Lawn Seed Planting Guide
How Often Should You Water New Grass Seed
The Complete Guide to Successfully Overseeding Your Lawn
Questions & Answers
Will this work in Fort Collins or Boulder at 5,000 feet?
Yes. Fort Collins and Boulder are ideal locations for this kit. Both cities sit at elevations where traditional Kentucky Bluegrass requires heavy summer irrigation to stay green. Blue Grama and Buffalograss are the dominant native grasses of the Colorado Front Range prairie — they are indigenous to exactly this landscape. Indian Ricegrass performs well in the thin, loamy soils common across the Front Range and Piedmont.
How do I handle late spring freezes after seeding?
A late freeze after germination can set seedlings back but rarely kills them. Native Rocky Mountain grasses evolved to handle late-May freezes — it is a normal climate event at elevation. If you seed in spring after the last hard freeze and a surprise freeze hits, water lightly the morning after to help seedlings recover. For maximum protection from spring freeze risk, choose dormant fall seeding instead — seeds overwinter naturally and germinate on their own schedule.
Is this mix good for slopes and erosion control?
Yes — this is one of the strongest applications for this kit. Indian Ricegrass is specifically selected for its erosion control performance on slopes, disturbed soils, and rocky sites. Buffalograss forms stolons that knit the soil surface together. Blue Grama's fibrous root mass anchors soil on steep ground. For slopes over 30 degrees, consider adding a biodegradable erosion control blanket over seed to hold moisture and prevent wash-off until germination.
My soil is pure clay or pure rocks. Will anything germinate?
These three species are among the most soil-tolerant native grasses available. Indian Ricegrass naturally colonizes gravelly, rocky soils where nothing else grows. Blue Grama handles heavy clay soils that drain poorly. Buffalograss is adaptable to both. In extreme clay, a single shallow tilling pass (2 inches) before seeding is the one preparation that meaningfully improves germination by creating surface structure for seed contact.
How is this different from a wildflower mix?
This is a grass-only mix, not a wildflower blend. The goal is a low-growing, turf-like ground cover that replaces a traditional lawn with visual continuity. Blue Grama and Buffalograss grow 4–8 inches and form a dense mat. Indian Ricegrass adds height and texture but does not bloom with showy colors. If you want to add wildflower color, native species like Rocky Mountain Penstemon or Prairie Coneflower can be interseeded once the grass stand is established.
Do I need to water this in winter once it's established?
No. All three species go dormant in winter and require no irrigation from October through April at most Rocky Mountain elevations. Snow cover provides adequate moisture for dormant root systems. Resume observation in May and water only if spring arrives with below-average snowpack and the stand shows stress. In most years, normal Rocky Mountain spring precipitation handles establishment watering naturally.
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