Why Use Native Grasses?

Native grasses are an important part of our natural ecosystems.
Native grasses perform functions in the landscape which are, among other things, important for ground dwelling mammals, birds and other wildlife. In some areas of inland Australia they are an important part of pastoral enterprises.

Native grasses are well adapted to Australia’s harsh climate and low fertility soils.
The use of these grasses in the lower fertility areas of the agricultural enterprise can help enhance the biodiversity required for sustainable land use.

These grasses have withstood the tests of time, flourishing in good rainfall years and surviving through low rainfall and drought events. Clearing of our landscape for agricultural pursuits has left pockets of these grasses within the landscape mainly in areas where cropping is not an alternative and less arable landscapes.
Their low seedling vigour can be a frustration to the establishment aims, requiring timely management decisions for their survival. This low seedling vigour is a characteristic of the grasses enabling survival through periods of intermittent rainfall.

Native grasses can be an attractive ornamental garden plant, with uses in border plantings, mass plantings or individually throughout a hardy garden area where little or no added water is required. Indeed they make a great lawn area. Due to their lower water requirements they can be used with little added water and in some instances may require no added water.

About Ko-Warra Native Grasses

Producing Native Grass Seeds

Ko-Warra Native Grasses is situated 10 Km from Echuca on a 58 ha property dedicated to growing low water use native grasses combined with bio-diversity plantings to enhance both the ascetics and to produce environmental services and products. These plantings can be used independently or in conjunction with conventional farming practices.

Ko-Warra Native Grasses has seed producing plots of a number of our important native grass varieties. As the market is developing, the need for clean, weed free, high quality native grass seed is of utmost importance for the planting requirements. Commercial seed production is of higher quality, more uniform standards and more assured than the wild population collections. To ensure quality seed Ko-Warra Native Grasses carries out continuous analysis and actions during each year’s crop production.

Ko-Warra Native Grasses has established 5 ha of bio-diversity and flora-culture plantings which are now producing seed for your revegetating requirements. All bio-diversity plantings are sourced from local seed and the floriculture plantings are mostly non indigenous. Orders can be taken in advance for your seed collection for intended direct seeding or nursery plantings.

Ko-Warra Native Grasses in conjunction with Dr. Geoff Woodall of The Centre of Excellence in Natural Resource Management (University of WA) is trialling Santalum spicatum (Sandalwood). Look up the Field Day report for more information on this exciting project.

Why Choose Native Grasses?

Native grasses have adapted to our changing climate over the eons.
Native grasses will grow in acid soils
Native grasses have lower fertiliser requirements
Grow native perennials to maximise water utilisation
Native grasses are still a major component of our Rangelands which support a large grazing industry