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How can I have a Prairie?
In order to have a successful prairie of any size there are several issues to address:
FAQ - Site Selection
The Prairie is a sun loving eco-system. Choose a site that is sunny with easy access to mowing and possible burning.
Keep in mind that planting and developing a prairie is a long-term project that will take several years to reach its full potential. Prairie plants will spend the first few years developing strong root systems underground before providing you with a consistent showy display above ground. Be patient as it's well worth the wait!
With proper management a prairie will be around for hundreds of years! Try to choose a site that you will not have to disturb in the future.
Your prairie will bring a host of wildlife into view! Plant your prairie in a location where you can enjoy watching the butterflies, birds and animals in comfort. On our personal prairies we keep narrow walking paths mowed so we can get into the heart of our prairie. We have never been disappointed as there are pleasant surprises at every turn!
FAQ - Site Preparation
The longer one prepares the site and readies it for the prairie seed, the quicker the results. The old saying "a man who works slow with a sharp ax gets more accomplished than a man who works fast with a dull ax" is so very true in the prairie-planting realm.
Kill all vegetation before planting as many times as you can. Seeds need seed to soil contact to germinate. A very light disking or raking may be in order to achieve this. Other methods to ensure adequate seed germination may include culti-packing, rolling or dragging a log across the exposed soil. You do not want to disturb the soil too much as it will unearth weed seed and encourage weed growth.
FAQ - Seed Information
Amount of seed - As a general rule, 7 - 10 pounds of wildflowers and 3 - 5 pounds of grasses are needed per acre for a top notch showy prairie. This is something that can be achieved over many years. A sparsely planted prairie is unable to compete with weeds.
Which species to choose - Prairie plants are sun dependent plants. Some thrive in wetter areas, some medium areas and some in dryer areas. Check the description and habitat requirements for the species that you would like to plant on your site. For example, if your site is gravely and dry, choose plants that thrive on dry sites. If your site is wet/moist, choose plants that enjoy a moist environment. Some sites may be a combination of several types. Spend a little time to walk your site and observe the soil types. Purchase and plant your seed accordingly or you will waste valuable seeds and resources.
FAQ - Seed Planting
Grasses are usually planted Fall and Spring. The best time to plant prairie forb seed is winter. Many prairie seeds need a cold and moist cycle (stratification) to trigger germination in early spring. Seeds have a memory and genetic program, which allows them to germinate according to Nature's timetable.
Planting unstratified wildflower seed in the spring will most likely delay the seed germination until the following spring.
Seeds need seed to soil contact. Take care not to plant them too deep. If the seed is broadcast on top of the ground or snow (without rolling or culti-packing) in the winter, a natural process known as the "freeze and thaw" method will yield good results. Nature will do the rolling and packing for you!
FAQ - Watering
Watering is always welcome to any sized planting. On small sites, planting close to a water source may aid in the vigor of a newly planted prairie.
On large plantings try to plant when the ground is moist or when a light rain is expected over the next few weeks.
FAQ - Future Care
First year - During the first year or two the prairie plants will be establishing their root systems and most growth is done below ground level. Some seeds may winter over the first year and establish themselves in the second and/or third years. Do not get discouraged and be patient! Since prairie plants require a great deal of sun it is important to keep the area mowed to a height of 4" - 6". This will cut back on the weed canopy that will compete with the young prairie plants for sunlight.
Second year - You will begin to see a few blooms during this year. However, to establish a healthy start for your young prairie it still may be necessary to keep the area mowed to around 8". This is especially important if weeds are still evident. Again, your prairie plants need a great deal of sunlight for growth and a weed canopy will impede its progress.
After second year - Your prairie should be well on its way to it's full potential! Your prairie may benefit from a late winter to early spring burn. This will help to eliminate encroaching alien species and will give your prairie a good start into the spring. In areas where it is not possible to burn, mow down the site around March - April. Whether you burn or mow, try to leave a section of the prairie undisturbed for early nesting birds.
FAQ - History
What are Prairie/Grasslands?
Prairie and grasslands are the rarest and most endangered eco-system in North America. It is comprised of a vast array of native wildflowers and grasses. At one time this eco-system covered over one third of the United States. However, today less than ½ of 1% of the original tracts remain. Of that amount, most are fragmented and managed for haying and grazing.
Why are Prairie/Grasslands important?
Aside from the beautiful native wildflowers and grasses, the prairie/grasslands are home to a host of dependent wildlife, which includes insects, birds and animals. Due to the loss of their native habitat, the numbers of this wildlife are declining at an alarming rate. Native prairie/grassland plants assist them in their habitat needs such as food, cover and nesting. They are in need of immediate help from each and every one of us!
Why are Native plants preferred over non-native?
Native is preferred because it is what was here originally. Non-native and alien species, such as Queen Ann's Lace, sweet clover, chicory, teasel, certain trees and cool season grasses, compete for space and poison the native prairie eco-system. All non-native plants have or will eventually have a negative impact on our prairie/grasslands and their dependent wildlife.
How can I help the Prairie/Grassland Movement?
It's a matter of giving your energy, time and resources. Organizations geared toward saving prairies are always in need of volunteer workers to help out in the office, send mailings, with fund raising, etc. If you prefer to lend a hand in the field many of these organizations use volunteers to help in the annual management of their prairies, inventorying tracts for plants/wildlife, etc. If you have a true desire, the possibilities are endless! Keep in mind that funding is always desperately needed to manage existing tracts and to purchase new prairie tracts thereby preserving them for generations to come. Do your homework. Research your favorite ecologically minded organizations and you may find that they are already involved in the movement to preserve prairie/grasslands and/or their dependent wildlife. Send in donations specifically earmarked for this need.
Contact your political representatives at the State and Federal level - This is extremely important! We are just beginning to take steps in getting our message across to our governing bodies. Government funding and legislation is desperately needed to help protect this eco-system. We should be financially rewarding landowners for preserving their native prairies/grasslands and not paying them to plow them up to plant cool season grasses or grains!
We are the only voice the prairie and grasslands have.
Act now, or it may be too late! |
