Texas Native Pasture Prairie Mix

SKU: PB-TXPR

Qty: 10 lb - Covers ~40,000 sq ft
$214.99
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Qty: 20 lb - Covers ~80,000 sq ft
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Qty: 50 lb - Covers ~200,000 sq ft
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Supported Species:

  • Cattle
  • Horse

What is Texas Native Prairie Mix?

The Texas Native Pasture Prairie Mix is an 8-species blend of warm-season native grasses and wildflowers anchored by Sideoats Grama (Bouteloua curtipendula, the Texas state grass) at 35% and Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) at 25% — the same grasses that built Texas rangeland before the plow. The remaining 40% rounds out the stand with companion natives that thicken cover, extend bloom, and feed wildlife from spring through first frost.

Best uses:

  • Rangeland restoration on cleared, degraded, or overgrazed pasture
  • CRP, EQIP, and other conservation cost-share programs
  • Large-scale native landscape and pollinator habitat
  • Drought-tolerant grazing across the Hill Country, Blackland Prairie, and Rolling Plains

Planting details:

  • Seeding rate: 8–10 lbs PLS per acre drilled, 12–15 lbs broadcast
  • Coverage: 1 lb covers roughly 4,000 sq ft at broadcast rate
  • Plant window: Late winter through early summer, once soil temps hit 60°F
  • Germination: 14–30 days under warm, moist conditions
  • Zones: USDA 7–9 — Texas, Oklahoma, and southern New Mexico

Native warm-season grasses establish slowly. Expect a sparse first season, then a self-sustaining stand by year two with deep roots that hold soil and shrug off drought. Once set, the prairie reseeds itself and needs little more than periodic burning or rotational grazing to stay healthy.

Every lot is independently tested for purity and germination, blended in-house, and shipped farm-direct within one business day. Working on a CRP plan or unsure about your seeding rate? Ask a seed expert — we help Texas ranchers and land managers spec native mixes every week.

What's in This Mix


Specifications

USDA Regions Prairie Restore
Seeding Rate 10 PLS lb per acre (Pure Live Seed basis); 0.25 lb per 1,000 sq ft for small areas
Sun Requirements Full Sun (8+ hours)
Time to Germinate Year 1: sparse, weedy (root development). Year 2: improving. Year 3+: mature prairie stand

Seeding Specs

Water Needs None once established; survived 2011 TX drought
Soil Preference Adaptable — limestone, blackland clay, sandy loam, caliche; must be well-drained
Soil pH pH 6.0-8.5
Planting Depth 1/4 to 1/2 inch (grasses); surface to 1/4 inch (wildflowers)

Establishment Specs

Height 1-6 feet (mixed: short grasses to tall wildflowers)
Color Mixed greens; bronze/copper/tan fall color; spring wildflower color
Uses Prairie Restoration, Rangeland, CRP/EQIP, TxDOT Revegetation, Conservation
Native/Introduced Native — All 8 species native to Texas

Why Choose This Seed?

Anchored by Texas State Grass at 35%

Sideoats Grama was designated the Texas state grass in 1971. It makes up 35% of this mix — the largest single species by weight. Sideoats Grama establishes faster than most prairie grasses, tolerates a wide range of Texas soils from clay to limestone to sand, and provides the structural backbone that holds a prairie planting together while slower species establish around it.

Year 1 Is Ugly — And That Is Normal

Prairie restoration does not look like a wildflower meadow in Year 1. The first year is sparse, weedy, and often disappointing. Native grasses spend Year 1 building root systems that extend 4-8 feet deep — the aboveground growth is secondary. By Year 2, grass density increases noticeably. By Year 3, the prairie stand transforms. If you need instant beauty, plant wildflowers. If you want a permanent landscape that improves for decades, plant prairie.

85% Grass, 15% Wildflower

This mix is approximately 85% native grasses and 15% native wildflowers by weight. Sideoats Grama, Little Bluestem, Buffalograss, and Switchgrass form a multi-height grass matrix from 6 inches to 6 feet. The wildflowers — Bluebonnet, Indian Blanket, Plains Coreopsis, and Mexican Hat — provide color, pollinator habitat, and ecological diversity in the spaces between grass clumps.

TxDOT and Conservation Alignment

Every species in this mix appears on TxDOT’s approved revegetation species list and aligns with NRCS conservation planting recommendations for Texas ecoregions. This mix is appropriate for highway right-of-way restoration, USDA conservation program plantings (CRP, EQIP), ranch and rangeland improvement, and municipal natural area establishment. Seeding rates are specified in Pure Live Seed (PLS) per industry and agency standard.

Drought-Proof Once Established

Every grass species in this mix is rated for extreme drought tolerance. Sideoats Grama, Little Bluestem, and Buffalograss survived the 2011 Texas drought — the worst single-year drought in Texas recorded history — on rangeland with zero supplemental irrigation. Once root systems are established (Year 2+), supplemental watering is unnecessary in areas receiving 15+ inches of annual rainfall.

How to Plant Texas Native Prairie Mix

Soil Prep

For large areas: mow existing vegetation short and apply a burndown herbicide 2-4 weeks before seeding, or use prescribed fire if available. For small areas: remove vegetation by mowing and raking to expose bare soil. Do NOT deep-till unless compaction is severe. Do not fertilize.

Seeding

For acreage: drill-seed at 10 PLS lb per acre using a native grass drill set to 1/4-1/2 inch depth. For broadcast seeding, increase rate 50% (15 PLS lb/acre) and cultipack or roll immediately. For small areas: broadcast at 0.25 lb per 1,000 sq ft, mix with dry sand for even distribution, and rake lightly.

Establishing

Year 1 is primarily weed management. Mow weeds to 6-8 inches whenever they threaten to shade out young grass seedlings — typically 2-3 mowings. Do NOT mow below 6 inches. Do not apply broadleaf herbicide in Year 1 as it will kill wildflower seedlings. Be patient — the root development underground is the real work.

Ongoing Care

After Year 1, reduce mowing to once per year in late winter (February) or apply prescribed fire on a 3-5 year rotation. Do not fertilize. Do not irrigate except during severe multi-year drought. By Year 3, native grasses should dominate and weed pressure decreases dramatically.

Helpful Resources

Questions & Answers

How long does it take to establish a native prairie in Texas?

Expect a 3-year minimum. Year 1 is sparse and weedy while grasses build root systems. Year 2 shows noticeable grass density. Year 3+, the prairie stand matures with thick grass cover and integrated wildflower color.

What is the Texas state grass?

Sideoats Grama (Bouteloua curtipendula), designated in 1971. It makes up 35% of this mix as the primary structural grass.

What species are in this prairie mix?

Eight species: Sideoats Grama (35%), Little Bluestem (25%), Buffalograss (15%), Switchgrass (10%), Texas Bluebonnet (5%), Indian Blanket (5%), Plains Coreopsis (3%), and Mexican Hat (2%). The mix is 85% grasses and 15% wildflowers.

Does native prairie need to be mowed?

Established prairie does not need regular mowing. A single annual mow in late winter (February) or prescribed fire on a 3-5 year rotation is the standard management approach.

Is this mix suitable for CRP or EQIP programs?

This mix contains species commonly approved for USDA CRP and EQIP plantings in Texas. Specific requirements vary by county and practice code. Consult your local NRCS office before purchasing.

Why is Year 1 of prairie planting so weedy?

Native prairie grasses spend Year 1 building root systems 4-8 feet deep rather than producing aboveground biomass. Weeds temporarily fill the space. By Year 3, native grasses outcompete weeds through superior root competition.

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