Is Fertilizing Native Plants for Wildlife Habitat a Good Idea?
Grasslands are naturally adapted to thrive with relatively low soil fertility. This trait benefits both land managers and the ecosystems these grasses support. However, properly fertilizing native plants can improve wildlife habitat. This is because very few “grasslands” are actually intact native prairies. More often, today’s grasslands are really just old rangelands with a mix of native and non-native plants. And in many cases, plant diversity is low.
Fortunately, native plants require only a small amount of fertilizer for big benefits. Most natives, especially perennial plants, are efficient. This fact is likely tied to extensive root systems that produce large amounts of underground organic matter. As a result, organic material improves soil structure and nutrient cycling over time.
What are the Benefits of Fertilizing Prairie Habitat?
Fertilizing a field at just the right time really benefits forbs, which are great for wildlife. A forb is a broad-leaf, non-woody flowering plant that is not a grass, sedge, or rush. Forbs make up much of the plant diversity in rangeland ecosystems. These plants include wildflowers and herbaceous species that produce flowers, seeds, and leafy growth used by wildlife throughout the year. Showy forbs are affectionally referred to as wildflowers, whereas the less appealing forbs are called weeds. As it turns out, most all forms are great for wildlife.
Forbs are critically important for wildlife because they provide resources that grasses generally cannot. Forbs produce nectar and pollen for pollinators, seeds for songbirds and game birds, and host plants for many insects. Insects form the base of the prairie food web. The insects supported by forbs are essential prey for grassland birds. This is especially important during the nesting season when chicks require high-protein insect diets.
The proper use of fertilizer on rangelands is a qualifying practice for landowners maintaining a wildlife exemption on their Texas land. The practice falls under supplemental food for wildlife since it increases food abundance and quality beyond what would occur naturally. Prairie systems with abundant and diverse forbs consistently support higher insect populations, which translates directly into improved nesting success and survival for wildlife.
In addition, forbs contribute structural diversity and seasonal variation in vegetation, improving nesting cover, brood-rearing habitat, and protection from predators. By supporting insects, birds, and other wildlife while increasing habitat complexity, forbs play a central role in maintaining healthy, functional prairie ecosystems.
How Does Fertilizer Improve the Structure of Wildlife Habitat?
Forb diversity increases habitat structure and seasonal availability of resources. Different forb species grow and flower at varying times throughout the year. This creates a mosaic of vegetation heights, flowering periods, and cover types. This structural diversity improves nesting cover, brood-rearing habitat, and protection from predators. It also ensures that food resources are available across multiple seasons. Such heterogeneity is especially important for wildlife that rely on different habitat conditions at various life stages.
When fertilization is used, it should be done strategically to strengthen native plant communities, rather than unintentionally favoring invasive or non-native species. Applying fertilizer early in the year can be an effective management practice when wildlife habitat is a primary objective.
When is the Best Time to Fertilize Native Vegetation?
Many native forbs initiate growth earlier in the year than dominant warm-season grasses. Fertilizer applications early in the year allow nutrients to move into the soil profile through snowmelt and early precipitation. This makes nutrients available when forbs begin active growth. This timing gives forbs a competitive advantage during early development. An early start means improved plant vigor, flowering, and root establishment before grasses reach peak nutrient demand.
Winter application also reduces the risk of stimulating aggressive grass growth that can suppress forb abundance and diversity. For wildlife benefit, it is recommended that land mangers apply fertilizer to native plants in January. Fertilizer applied later in the growing season is more likely to be taken up by warm-season grasses. As a result, these grass may respond quickly and can dominate the plant community.
By contrast, winter applications release nutrients more gradually and favor species that are physiologically active earlier in the year, including many forbs that are valuable to wildlife. Cooler temperatures further reduce nitrogen volatilization losses and eliminate the risk of fertilizer burn. This results in more efficient nutrient use and less stress on dormant vegetation.
What is Best Ideal Fertilizer Rate for Native Plants?
When applied at appropriate rates and timed during the winter, fertilizer can be a useful tool for land managers seeking to promote forb diversity without encouraging grass dominance. By supporting early-season forb growth and maintaining diverse plant communities, winter fertilization can improve habitat quality, food availability, and overall ecosystem function for wildlife across prairie landscapes.
It is generally recommended that land managers apply about 20 pounds of nitrogen per acre to improve wildlife habitat. This equates to broadcasting one 40-pound bag of 13-13-13 fertilizer over 1/4 acre of pastureland. Calculate nitrogen if a different fertilizer is used. To calculate how much nitrogen is in a bag of fertilizer, multiply the total bag weight by the nitrogen percentage expressed as a decimal. For example, a standard 40-pound bag of 13-13-13 contains 5.2 pounds of actual nitrogen, calculated by multiplying 40 pounds by 0.13. This same approach applies to any bag size: the nitrogen content is always the bag weight multiplied by the nitrogen percentage expressed as a decimal.
Over-fertilization can undermine these benefits. Keeping nutrient levels in balance helps preserve the structure and diversity that wildlife depend on. Nitrogen rates should be modest. For most native forage stands, applications should not exceed 20 pounds of nitrogen per acre. In many cases, skipping nitrogen applications for a year or two is perfectly acceptable. In fact, it is recommended that land managers do not fertilize the same area in successive years. This management practice is best implemented by fertilizing new areas each year.
How to Broadcast Fertilizer to Benefit Native Plants & Wildlife
To broadcast granular fertilizer over 1/4 acre using an over-the-shoulder spreader, begin by calculating the total amount of fertilizer needed for the 1/4-acre area based on the desired application rate, then divide that amount into equal portions so it can be applied evenly. Set the spreader to a conservative setting and plan to make multiple passes rather than applying all the fertilizer at once.
Walk at a steady pace and spread the fertilizer in parallel passes across the area, slightly overlapping each pass to avoid gaps. For best coverage, apply half of the fertilizer while walking in one direction and the remaining half while walking at a right angle to the first pattern. This crisscross method helps ensure uniform distribution when broadcasting in grasslands. Maintaining consistent walking speed and spreader motion will result in a more even application across the entire quarter-acre area. It might sound complicated, but it does not need to be perfect.
Summary: Fertilizing Native Plants & Habitat for Wildlife
The proper application of fertilizer is beneficial for native plants and wildlife. In addition, the practice can be used by landowners with a wildlife exemption in Texas since the activity falls under supplemental food. Fertilizer improves plant growth and quality. From a long-term management perspective, diverse plant communities enhance prairie resilience and stability. Healthy grasses and forbs contribute to deeper and more varied root systems, improved soil structure, and increased microbial activity. All of these things help prairies withstand drought, grazing pressure, and climatic variability.
Forbs are great plants that benefit wildlife in many ways. Many forbs are extremely high in protein and the plant is consumed by birds, rabbits, and deer. Most forbs produce an abundance of seed that serve as an important food for songbirds and gamebirds. Healthy forb populations also support insects and other pollinators that are essential for plant reproduction. This creates a positive feedback loop that sustains both plant and wildlife communities over time. In short, fertilizing native plants is a good management practice for native plants that benefits wildlife.