Best practices with native grasses

[mwayne]

I'm going to try to re-establish switchgrass and Indian grass on my place and would like to learn from other experiences in this regard.
What I have done so far is to swipe some switchgrass seed from plants growing on a highway ROW, may have been before the seeds were ready but mowing crew mowed down the plants a few days later and figured nothing to lose. Also bought a small amount of seed from large online outfit and shallow planted both back in the early March. Far as I could tell no germination. A couple of months ago bought more seed (Blackwell switchgrass) from a local company and told them about the lack of germination. They said switchgrass seed may take a few seasons to germinate, similar to bluebonnet seeds which may take up to ten years to germinate. But I see people on YouTube that plant in the spring and have grass later that same season. So naturally I am a bit confused and if this is the case then keeping the ground prepared for years is not an option for me. Thanks, Mike

 

[Spindifferent]

Good info and seeds here:

Native American Seed - Wildflowers and Native Prairie Grasses

Native American Seed - Establish a Native Lawn

It is my experience that native grasses can take several seasons to germinate. All depends on soil preparation, planting method, weather, seed quality, and luck.

 

[jaxs]

There are multiple varities of switchgrass,have your local ag extension agent and/or university help chose the varity and source of seed best suited for your situation. Seed break dormancy in many different ways,I think switchgrass is age when left to nature. Reputable seed suppliers use mechanical and chemical scarifing,artificial stratifying and other means of fooling mother nature. Whereas 20% untreated seed might germinate the first year,treated seed might have up to 90% germination first year. Depending on what plants are presently growing on ground,controled burns before or after seeding might be prescribed.