Once established, it requires minimal maintenance and performs well under challenging desert conditions, making it a reliable choice for landowners, conservation projects, and habitat professionals across Arizona’s plateau regions. Includes (#s/ac): Indian Ricegrass (1), Blue grama (0.7), Bottlebrush squirreltail (1), Western Wheatgrass (2), Sandberg Bluegrass (0.5), Alkali sacaton (0.15), Sand Dropseed (0.1). Updated January 2025.
Featuring a complementary blend of warm- and cool-season native grasses, the AZ Desert Plateau Grass Mix provides dependable forage, nesting cover, and movement corridors for wildlife while standing up to heat, drought, and variable precipitation. Species such as Indian ricegrass and blue grama support upland birds and small mammals, while wheatgrass, squirreltail, and sacaton add root depth, soil stabilization, and long-term persistence.
This mix is ideal for:
- Rangeland restoration
- Wildlife habitat enhancement
- Erosion control on uplands and disturbed sites
- Low-input native grass plantings
Best Seeding Windows:
Late Summer / Early Fall (Preferred)
August–September
- Ideal timing for Arizona’s monsoon-driven precipitation
- Warm soil temperatures support quick germination
- Establishment benefits from reduced weed pressure compared to spring
- Excellent fit for Indian ricegrass, blue grama, dropseed, and sacaton
Late Fall Dormant Seeding
October–December
- Seed remains dormant through winter
- Germinates naturally with spring moisture
- Works well on sites with good snowpack or winter precipitation
- Do not seed too early—avoid germination before hard freezes
Spring Seeding
March–April
- Possible, but success depends heavily on timely rainfall
- Higher competition from annual weeds
- May require additional weed control or follow-up precipitation
Pro Tip for Success
For the highest establishment success, seed just before or during a reliable moisture period (monsoon or winter precipitation) and ensure good seed-to-soil contact via drilling or light packing after broadcast seeding.
