Ratstail Dropseed Growing Guide

Sporobolus africanus

Crop Rotation Group

Miscellaneous ●

Soil

Any well drained soil with a near neutral to slightly alkaline pH.

Position

Full sun.

Frost tolerant

Established plants of prairie dropseed are winter hardy to -34°C (-30°F).

Feeding

None needed.

Spacing

Single Plants: 60cm (1' 11") each way (minimum)
Rows: 60cm (1' 11") with 60cm (1' 11") row gap (minimum)

Sow and Plant

Ratstail dropseed is easily grown from seed in spring. The young seedlings develop rapidly. Young plants need water their first year, but after that becomes very drought tolerant.
Our Garden Planner can produce a personalised calendar of when to sow, plant and harvest for your area.

Notes

An important and beautiful grass of the American prairies, dropseed has stunning windblown form and texture, fragrant late summer flowers, and foliage that turns bronze in autumn and persists into winter. In early spring, mow or clip off old growth to make way for new leaves. Although prairie dropseed is slow to establish, it is very long lived and requires no maintenance beyond annual mowing.

Harvesting

Planting and Harvesting Calendar

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Pests which Affect Ratstail Dropseed

Aphids (General)

Slug

Snail