Designed for Arid Basins, Low Rainfall Sites & Working Rangelands
Mix Structure
This blend is balanced for desert range conditions:
Includes (#s/ac): Ricegrass, Indian (0.189), Sagebrush, Basin Big (0.063), Saltbush, 4 wing (0.158), Marigold, desert (0.032), Grama, Blue (0.158), Rabbitbrush, green (yellow) (0.047), Beeplant, Rocky Mountain (0.063), Prairie Clover, White (0.063), Prairie Clover, Purple (0.063), Saltgrass (0.158), Ephedra, Green (0.032), Rabbitbrush, rubber (0.047), Indian blanket (0.079), Salt Heliotrope (0.003), Needle and thread (0.126), Winterfat (0.079), Blazingstar, Dotted (Gayfeather) (0.013), Flax, Lewis (0.063), Galleta Grass (0.158), Globemallow, scarlet (0.003), Alkali sacaton (0.221), Dropseed, Sand (0.079). Updated January 2026.
The mix emphasizes proven warm-season and desert-adapted grasses supported by structural shrubs and hardy native forbs. The result is a practical, field-ready blend that performs under limited moisture while improving soil stability, wildlife habitat, and overall range health.
This is a true native range mix — built for function first.
What This Mix Does Well
- Establishes on arid basin soils with limited precipitation
- Provides durable perennial grass structure for long-term site stability
- Supports upland birds, pronghorn, mule deer, and small mammals
- Includes native shrubs for structural diversity and winter browse
- Improves soil protection and reduces wind erosion
- Designed for drill or broadcast + pack establishment
Total target density:
~28 seeds per square foot
This rate is ideal for:
- Native range drills
- Broadcast + pack applications
- Large-scale restoration projects
- CRP and wildlife habitat improvements
Seeding Rate & Bulk Handling
Because many desert basin species have small seed and high seed counts per pound, the pure seed blend results in a relatively light bulk weight per acre. To improve drill calibration and broadcast uniformity, we recommend:
- Adding rice hulls (5–20% by weight) as a carrier.
Benefits of rice hull addition:
- Improves seed flow through native/range drills
- Enhances even broadcast distribution
- Reduces bridging and separation
Maintains correct seed density without altering species ratios
If you would like to add rice hulls please contact Brooke at bmorgan@pheasantsforever.org
Recommended Planting Conditions
- Plant during appropriate seasonal windows for New Mexico desert basins (typically late fall dormant or early spring moisture periods).
- Ensure firm seed-to-soil contact.
- Avoid planting too deep — most species perform best at ¼" or less.
Always confirm practice requirements with your local conservation planner if planting under NRCS or CRP programs.
Built for Real-World Use
This is not a high-maintenance pollinator mix. It is a resilient, range-focused native blend designed for:
- Working ranches
- Wildlife habitat enhancement
- Basin restoration
- Long-term land stewardship
