Big BluestemBig Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii)

Common names: Tallest of the Tall, Turkey Claw, Turkey Foot Grass, King of the Prairie

General Information:

Of all the native grasses found across our country, probably the most widely known and most easily recognized is Big Bluestem. Often called the "King" of native grasses, Big Bluestem is a tall, erect, perennial warm-season grass. Without major disturbance, it will eventually form a dense sod, and under the best growing conditions (good soil, drainage, moisture, sunlight) can reach 10 feet in height. The colors displayed range from steel gray to wine red. There are great variations in Big Bluestem that manifest themselves over its growing range with northern varieties generally being shorter and earlier maturing and southern varieties being taller and later maturing.

In more arid conditions, the appearance of Big Bluestem is more similar to a bunch grass. In undisturbed stands only a small proportion of the plants will flower each year, thus making the need for proper management, such as controlled burning even more important

Big Bluestem occurs on a variety of sites throughout it’s range but develops best on fertile soil and clay loam soils of lowlands. Presence or absence of soil moisture seems to be the most important factor determining planting success. It develops best on moist sites in the true prairie and mixed grass community. Where precipitation is limited, the Big Bluestem will be found growing in ravines and on the lower portion of gentle slopes. Despite the need for moisture, Big Bluestem will tolerate long periods of drought due to the extensive root system that can be ten or twelve feet in depth, thus enabling it to efficiently use whatever moisture is available.

Uses for Big Bluestem are many. Due to its rapid growth pattern, it is a top choice for erosion control on moderately to well drained soils. It is one of the most palatable warm seasons grasses, thus making it popular for forage. Wildlife management agencies use Big Bluestem as a primary component in plantings for upland birds and mammals, who use it for nesting and escape cover throughout the year. In addition, insects are attracted in large numbers to Big Bluestem, which insures the usage by many species of songbirds.

Of all the native grasses, Big Bluestem has one of the highest tolerances of acidity in the soil. It is useful for seeding of spoil areas and other poor sites where it has been known to thrive on areas with a pH as low as 4.5.

Establishment:

  1. For the best conservation practice, no-till the seed into the stubble of a previous crop or the existing stand of another species that has been successfully eradicated. Pay close attention to previous land use practices. If a row crop has been planted for many years in succession a herbicide carryover is possible.
  2. If you feel you must plow up the site before planting, prepare your seedbed like you would for any other crop. The seedbeds need to be firm, not fluffy, so the seed will not be planted at an inappropriate depth. Use a cultipacker to firm your seedbed or some other type of roller that will create a smooth planting area that is not too hard.
  3. Plant the seed no more than ½ inch deep. Emerging seedlings lack the strength to push through too much overlying soil. More seed has been lost to poor planting practices than anything else; this is especially true of seed depth.
  4. If weeds are a problem or a potential problem, consider using a herbicide recommended for warm season grasses. WE MAKE NO RECOMMENDATIONS. FOLLOW DIRECTIONS CAREFULLY. DO NOT TANK MIX A PESTICIDE WITH A HERBICIDE. REMEMBER MORE IS NOT NECESSARILY BETTER.
  5. You can broadcast the seed onto a prepared seedbed. Roll Lightly. You will probably need a carrier. Some people use a 0-13-13 fertilizer.

Management:

  1. We do not recommend the use of fertilizer the first year, at least not nitrogen. Moderate levels of phosphorus and potassium are beneficial, especially for root establishment, which is the primary activity of the plant the first year. Use a soil test to help you decide the rate. Fertilizer may be applied the second year to enhance vigor and production of forage. It is not necessary to fertilize at all, but stand strength may be compromised without it.
  2. We recommend a controlled burn every 1-3 years if possible. If not, then a mowing pattern should be established in order to control woody species invasion and prevent thatch build up. If you mow, mow no lower than 8 inches and no later than August 1.
  3. Rotational grazing or flash grazing is another good management tool. Care should be taken to prevent the livestock from grazing the warm season grass to a level that would not rebound after grazing. Use 6 inches as your stopping point and a regrowth of 12 inches.
  4. There should be no harvest of Big Bluestem the first year of establishment. If using the stand the second year, the grass should be at least 20 inches tall. Grazing or cutting should be to no less than eight inches. Big Bluestem has relatively weak seedling vigor compared to weeds or cool season grasses: therefore, control of competition is necessary.

Varieties or cultivars (improved releases):

  1. Rountree is a variety developed for areas farther north and into the east especially around the Lower Great Lakes and the Ohio valley area. Of necessity, it has a shorter growing season, reaching maturity earlier than some other varieties. The original collections were made in northern Missouri, Iowa and Illinois. Rountree is better adapted to the higher humidity levels of the eastern tall grass prairie areas and prairie remnants of the east.
  2. Kaw is a variety that has shown superior leafiness and vigor. It was developed from collections made along the Kaw River in eastern Kansas. It thrives in hotter and drier areas and is said to be more disease resistant than some Big Bluestems.
  3. Pawnee is a variety in Nebraska. Plants grow waist high or more with deep green leaves and tall seed stalks. It is a winter hardy variety, with maximum growth obtained in mid–summer and maturity reached in late summer.
  4. Niagara is a forage variety that originated in and is adapted to the northeastern United States.
  5. Earl is a variety that was originally collected from a native stand in Texas. It is adapted to all soil types of the southern one third of the United States. Do not plant Earl Big Bluestem further North than the 37th parallel of latitude as it is susceptible to winter kill.

Preferred planting time:

    1. In the spring around the end of April or first of May. You can plant as late as June 15 if moisture is adequate.
    2. Dormant planting can be done from December – February
    3. Planting rate is 6-8 PLS pounds per acre in stands created for wildlife. A higher rate should be planted for forage.

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