Early Fall is planting time!
Our prices are the lowest + Eco-Grass ships free! (within the contiguous United States).
RECOMMENDED SEEDING RATE: 5 lbs. per 1,000 sq. ft. | 220 lbs. per acre
A versatile blend of fine-leaved fescue grasses that is the responsible alternative to an energy-intensive conventional turf lawn. Eco-Grass, also called Eco Lawn or No Mow, is an excellent choice for solid border areas or footpaths adjacent to native plantings. This grass mix of native and non-native cultivar fescues establishes quickly, growing into a flowing carpet that can go unmowed or be mowed to a recommended 3” height occasionally or frequently, depending on rainfall, application and intended use. Ecograss grows in most soil types and sun conditions but is not suitable for wet soil or full shade.
Eco-Grass yields big savings as a lawn alternative by eliminating or reducing the need for pesticides, fertilizers and frequent watering or mowing. These slow growing, deep rooted fescues establish even in low-nutrient soils. The reduced need for summer watering makes Eco-grass less attractive than irrigated lawns for pests like lawn grubs, the problematic larvae that feed on turfgrass roots.
A cool-season grass blend, Eco-Grass is best planted spring or early fall, on a prepared site from which all weeds or competing species, and the weed seed bank in the soil, have been removed prior to planting. Spring plantings have the advantage of early-season soil moisture, while early Fall plantings have the advantage of moderate temperatures and fewer competing weeds. Seeds can be hand broadcast or distributed with a grass-seed spreader and should be lightly raked in and then watered for the first month or two, if needed. Depending upon conditions, germination can be expected in one to two weeks. Its cool-season nature shows in its bright green luster in late fall, followed by browning in dormancy and an early spring green up.
Eco-Grass does not need to overwinter to break germination inhibitors. Seeds sown in late fall or winter will lie dormant until spring. Even sandy soils can suit it but frequent watering may be necessary on very dry sites or in dry seasons until the plants are established. Once it fills in, Eco-Grass is a low-maintenance, attractive choice for many specific landscaping needs for home and garden. However, Eco-Grass would not be a good choice if you are wanting to establish a Bee Lawn. The rhizomatous nature of the creeping fescues in Eco-Grass would prevent small wildflowers to establish; there is also some research that the fesuces in Eco-Grass can be alleopathic meaning they can inhibit germination of surrounding seed.
Customer praise for Eco-Grass: "Thank you Prairie Moon for the Eco Grass. We planted Eco Grass last fall and are impressed with its quick growth and ability to fill in. It was planted in a low, uneven area behind our native planting and vegetable garden (see photos, left). During heavy rains this area would fill with water and was slow to drain. The Eco Grass absorbs the excess water therefore solving the problem of standing water. It looks great, is an excellent backdrop to the prairie and garden, and needs no maintenance." - Al K., Powell, OH
"Our Eco-Grass lawn fits perfectly with our desire to welcome wildlife and eliminate pollution from noise, gas and chemicals. And after 15 years it remains lush and beautiful and requires almost no maintenance." - Joanna Eckles, Stillwater, MN
RECOMMENDED SEEDING RATE: 5 lbs. per 1,000 sq. ft. - 220 lbs. per acre
*NOTE: we sell PURE SEED, not coated seed, giving you 36% more seed per pound compared to some other fine fescue blends on the market.
RECOMMENDED SEEDING RATE: 5 lbs. per 1,000 sq. ft. | 220 lbs. per acre
A versatile blend of fine-leaved fescue grasses that is the responsible alternative to an energy-intensive conventional turf lawn. Eco-Grass, also called Eco Lawn or No Mow, is an excellent choice for solid border areas or footpaths adjacent to native plantings. This grass mix of native and non-native cultivar fescues establishes quickly, growing into a flowing carpet that can go unmowed or be mowed to a recommended 3” height occasionally or frequently, depending on rainfall, application and intended use. Ecograss grows in most soil types and sun conditions but is not suitable for wet soil or full shade.
When Eco-Grass reaches about 8” it begins to form seed heads and tends to flop over, which can add an attractive naturalistic flow to your landscape. Once established, it is durable under moderate foot traffic. It resists invasion by filling in well, but will not encroach on neighboring plantings.
Eco-Grass yields big savings as a lawn alternative by eliminating or reducing the need for pesticides, fertilizers and frequent watering or mowing. These slow growing, deep rooted fescues establish even in low-nutrient soils. The reduced need for summer watering makes Eco-grass less attractive than irrigated lawns for pests like lawn grubs, the problematic larvae that feed on turfgrass roots.
A cool-season grass blend, Eco-Grass is best planted spring or early fall, on a prepared site from which all weeds or competing species, and the weed seed bank in the soil, have been removed prior to planting. Spring plantings have the advantage of early-season soil moisture, while early Fall plantings have the advantage of moderate temperatures and fewer competing weeds. Seeds can be hand broadcast or distributed with a grass-seed spreader and should be lightly raked in and then watered for the first month or two, if needed. Depending upon conditions, germination can be expected in one to two weeks. Its cool-season nature shows in its bright green luster in late fall, followed by browning in dormancy and an early spring green up.
Eco-Grass does not need to overwinter to break germination inhibitors. Seeds sown in late fall or winter will lie dormant until spring. Even sandy soils can suit it but frequent watering may be necessary on very dry sites or in dry seasons until the plants are established. Once it fills in, Eco-Grass is a low-maintenance, attractive choice for many specific landscaping needs for home and garden. However, Eco-Grass would not be a good choice if you are wanting to establish a Bee Lawn. The rhizomatous nature of the creeping fescues in Eco-Grass would prevent small wildflowers to establish; there is also some research that the fesuces in Eco-Grass can be alleopathic meaning they can inhibit germination of surrounding seed.
Customer praise for Eco-Grass: "Thank you Prairie Moon for the Eco Grass. We planted Eco Grass last fall and are impressed with its quick growth and ability to fill in. It was planted in a low, uneven area behind our native planting and vegetable garden (see photos, left). During heavy rains this area would fill with water and was slow to drain. The Eco Grass absorbs the excess water therefore solving the problem of standing water. It looks great, is an excellent backdrop to the prairie and garden, and needs no maintenance." - Al K., Powell, OH
"Our Eco-Grass lawn fits perfectly with our desire to welcome wildlife and eliminate pollution from noise, gas and chemicals. And after 15 years it remains lush and beautiful and requires almost no maintenance." - Joanna Eckles, Stillwater, MN
RECOMMENDED SEEDING RATE: 5 lbs. per 1,000 sq. ft. - 220 lbs. per acre
*NOTE: we sell PURE SEED, not coated seed, giving you 36% more seed per pound compared to some other fine fescue blends on the market.
*Eco-Grass ships free and therefore is not part of the free shipping over $100 seed order promotion.
27 Questions asked on Eco-Grass - per lb
Q
Kathryn
October 23
What species are in your Eco-Grass mix and in quantities or ratios?
A
Prairie Moon
October 26
Hi Kathryn,
Good question! Our Eco-Grass is a blend of 5-6 fescues, generally including sheep fescue, chewings fescue, hard fescue, and creeping red fescue. The breakdown among the species is about even at 15-20% each.
Q
Muzee
April 11
Hi - By "competing species" do you mean that the existing grass would need to be dug up and removed? I have about 1/2 acre and am in CT. I love the idea of this. Thank you.
A
Prairie Moon
April 11
If you want your lawn to be low-mow, the existing grass needs to be removed since the Eco-grass will not crowd out existing turf. It will fill in sparse areas, but sowing the seed over your lawn won't result in a fully Eco-grass yard.
Q
Cristine
April 27
Are the species included native to the great lakes region?
A
Prairie Moon
May 1
HI Christine. Good question. The grasses are not native. Cover Crops and Eco-Grass are the only non-native thing we carry. Eco-Grass is a blend of cultivated fine-leaved fescue grasses, primarily that are grown/harvested on the West coast (WA, OR).
Q
Eric
September 9
How salt tolerant is Eco-Grass? Would it be suitable for use along a street which is salted and plowed in the winter?
A
Prairie Moon
September 10
We haven't been able to observe salt-tolerance or not much ourselves on our own patches of Eco-Grass, but there is actually a good study out there that shows fine fescues, such as those in our Eco-Grass blend, are the most salt-tolerant of the roadside grasses. Here is the online article.
Another short, dry, roadside native grass that we have observed to be salt-tolerant is Squirrel-tail Grass.
Another short, dry, roadside native grass that we have observed to be salt-tolerant is Squirrel-tail Grass.
Q
matthew
December 1
Is the eco grass deer resistant?
A
Prairie Moon
December 3
Yes, deer will not bother these fescues.
Q
Lindsey Shepherd Wanner
February 18
How safe is Eco-Grass for dogs and cats? Specifically if they were to nibble on it now and then?
A
Prairie Moon
February 19
Thanks for writing, Lindsey. Our nursery has dog-friendly office hours and a large lawn of Eco-Grass. We’ve never observed our canine friends showing any interest in browsing the grass. The fine fescue grasses that comprise our Eco-Grass blend have very thin, soft blades, so it’s unlikely they would cause irritation if lightly browsed. Even the seed heads are delicate and pliable.
Q
Sarah
April 21
We have clay soil and several big trees. Would the Eco-Grass grow?
A
Prairie Moon
April 22
Thanks for writing, Sarah. Shade from the trees won’t be a problem for the fine fescues in our Eco-Grass blend. If the soil has so much clay that it stays wet for extended periods, that could prove challenging. Eco-Grass establishes well in most soil types, but if the soil does not drain well after rain events, it would be inhospitable. A
Sedge (Carex) or grass that prefers heavier soil would be a better choice there.
Q
Courtney
June 14
We planted some eco-grass in April. It's growing well, but some weeds are coming up with it. Is it okay to apply some sort of weedkiller designed for lawns?
A
Prairie Moon
June 17
Yes, you will want a broadleaf herbicide - they kill common lawn weeds like dandelions and thistles, but will not harm fescue grasses such as the blend in Eco-Grass. Always read the manufacturer's label carefully for dilution and safety instructions.
Q
Dale
August 15
You say it is "low-maintenance". What kind of maintenance is recommended?
A
Prairie Moon
August 15
Hi Dale. Good Question. We refrain from calling it "no-mow" even though it is a similar blend of fine fescues sold under this name. A season’s growth of these fescues can flop over and mat down in winter on some sites, resulting in heavy thatch build-up that can prevent the grass leaves from poking through in spring.
Eco-Grass can benefit from an end-of season mowing (with raking or bagging if growth is heavy) to prevent excess thatch.
For aesthetic reasons, you could also mow in late spring when the seed heads begin to form, as these can grow up to about a foot high.
Q
Marvin
August 15
Can I seed at a rate higher than 5 lbs./1000 sf to help keep out weeds?
A
Prairie Moon
August 15
Hi Marvin. This is the recommended seeding rate to form a thick mat of grass, and thus keep weeds out. A heavier rate is not recommended as it could come in too thick and choke itself out.
Q
Wendy
September 8
Is Eco Grass compatible with a septic mound? (if it's ground on a steep side of the mound)
A
Prairie Moon
September 9
Thanks for your question Wendy. Yes, Eco Grass is a compatible grass mix for septic mounds. The roots will help stabilize the soil, but will not disrupt the septic system. You may also want to consider our Septic Safe Seed Mix!
Q
Renee
September 9
I ordered ecograss from you. What do you mean by "early fall" planting? Is it ok to plant now?
A
Prairie Moon
September 9
Thanks for your question Renee. "Early fall" can be considered late August to early October, depending on your location. The cooler weather allows grasses to establish quickly without as much competition from herbaceous weeds.
Q
Will
May 17
I have some seed left over that I would like to use this fall. What's the best way to store so that it still germinates when planted?
A
Prairie Moon
May 19
Hi Will. Any unused seed from us should be stored in a paper bag or open
container in a cool, dry place, or in a sealed (airtight) container under refrigeration (33–40°F). Avoid rapid or frequent temperature changes and
protect against rodents.
Q
Katjy
August 11
Will this eco grass do well in SE Virginia's Coastal plain, zone 7B/8 in full sun?
A
Prairie Moon
August 13
Hi. We have a US map loaded in the photo roll. SE VA is in the 'tan' area; it could work but not in dry soils.
Q
Kayce
August 17
Hello, I have somewhat large areas of dead grass on a 1 acre property that I would like to grow the eco grass in. My question is, Will The dead grass need to be removed before seeding?
A
Prairie Moon
August 19
Hi Kayce. Yes, Eco-Grass should have a clean slate to start. Remove existing weeds AND the weed seed bank. Seed needs to make good soil contact to germinate and there should not be existing lawn grass or weed competition during the establishment season.
Recommended seeding rate: 5 lbs/1,000 sq. ft. 220 lbs/acre
Eco-Grass does not need to over-winter to break germination inhibitors. Seeds sown in late fall or winter will lie dormant until spring. Even sandy soils can suit it but frequent watering may be necessary on very dry sites or in dry seasons until the plants are established. Once it fills in, Eco-Grass is a low-maintenance, attractive choice for many specific landscaping needs for home and garden.
A cool-season grass blend, Eco-Grass is best planted on a prepared site from which all weeds or competing species have been removed in early fall or early spring. Seeds can be hand broadcast or distributed with a grass-seed spreader and should be lightly raked in and then watered well for the first month or two, if needed. There are various site prep methods you could follow, no different than preparing a site for a native seed mix. Read our guide about Site Prep.
Spring has the advantage of early-season soil moisture, while early-fall plantings have the advantage of fewer competing weeds.
The seeds can be hand-broadcast or distributed with a grass-seed spreader and should be lightly raked in and then watered well for the first month or two, if needed. Depending upon conditions, germination can be expected in one to two weeks. Its cool-season nature shows in its bright-green luster in late autumn, followed by browning in dormancy and an early spring green-up.Spring has the advantage of early-season soil moisture, while early-fall plantings have the advantage of fewer competing weeds.
Eco-Grass does not need to over-winter to break germination inhibitors. Seeds sown in late fall or winter will lie dormant until spring. Even sandy soils can suit it but frequent watering may be necessary on very dry sites or in dry seasons until the plants are established. Once it fills in, Eco-Grass is a low-maintenance, attractive choice for many specific landscaping needs for home and garden.
*PLEASE NOTE: we are a mail order nursery and have no retail facilities, but you may pick up your order if prior arrangements are made. Pick up orders are subject to our MN Sales Tax of
7.375%.
Shipping & Handling Charges:
ECO-GRASS SHIPS FREE, within the contiguous US; we cannot send Eco-Grass to Canada.Shipping Season:
Eco-Grass seed can be sent year-round. Most orders ship within a day or two upon receipt.We ship using USPS, UPS and Spee Dee.
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