Thingrass

Planting

Plant Thingrass in full sun or part shade - it's flexible enough to grow under trees as a groundcover. It tolerates a variety of soils as long as drainage is good, so amend heavy clay with compost if water tends to pool. The best time to plant is in spring or fall when temperatures are mild. Space plants according to your desired coverage rate, keeping in mind they'll reach about 1 foot in height and width.

After Planting

Water weekly through your first summer to establish the plant, then you can cut back to once weekly or less once established - this is half the water demand of typical lawn grasses. Thingrass is deciduous and will go dormant in winter, which is normal. Mowing is optional; you can let it grow into a meadow-like appearance or trim it back if you prefer a neater lawn. The #1 mistake is overwatering after the first year; this plant thrives on drought and actually prefers dry conditions once established.

Birds

higSong Sparrow

Seeds · Year-Round

Year-round resident; winter seed foraging critical for survival

higWhite-crowned Sparrow

Seeds · Fall

Critical fall migration staging fuel; seed availability Sep-Nov

modTree Swallow

Foliage · Spring

Spring nesting habitat in coastal grasslands; nesting material

Mammals

higWestern Harvest Mouse

Seeds · Fall

Seeds essential for overwinter food caching; Oct-Nov peak

Insects

modDonacis leaf spot

Foliage · Summer

Fungal leaf pathogen; active during growing season