Prairie restoration

[dianeschlicht]

We live on an oak savanna, and after building our new house, I would like to restore the prairie plants that were so plentiful before we disturbed the soil. Even last year, we had a lot of the native wildflowers coming up on their own, but the were accommpanied by a lot of weeds too. I am going to start with a small area and hope I can get it to spread. Has anyone had any experience doing this?

[Snowwark]

I know nothing about Prairie Restoration, Diane, but it sounds like an excellent idea for your gorgeous and unique home, and surroundings. Do you have a pic by any chance? ;) :)

Have you been researching this, Diane? If so, maybe we'll have to count on you, to educate us! :)

Big House on the Prairie...sounds somewhat famililar. ;)

[dianeschlicht]

Actually, I have been doing a bit of research on it. I am going to have a Minnesota prairie restoration company come out and evaluate it for me and tell me what would work best for my area. I may have to do some wetland restoration too, but that will be awhile down the road.

[grlpwrd]

I have an acre with a woodland garden so I am only familiar with gardening on a slope, but not a prairie. I recommend you check out the gardening forums at wwW.thathomesite.com or the direct link at http://www.gardenweb.com . There are a lot of forums dedicated to certain types of gardening and people are helpful there.

HTH and GL!

[dianeschlicht]

I am going to be working with Prairie Restorations, Inc. It is a local company that specializes in native Minnesota plants for prairies, savannas, woodlands and wetlands. I'll have them out to do an evaluation next month. Then they usually do a controled burn to get rid of wees etc. After that, they work up the soil and plant the prairie seeds. I am planning on going with a mix of prairie grasses and wildflowers that will stay nice lookig all season, but will not have to be mowed after the first year.
http://www.prairieresto.com/images/state_5.gif
the burn
After that, it is planted and mowed twice during the first season. There will be some maintenance to keep the masty things like buckthorn etc down, but after a couple of years, that should decrease.
http://www.prairieresto.com/images/gallow16.gif
second season black eyed susan growth.
http://www.prairieresto.com/images/state_3.gif
3rd year growth.

[bobbiwoz]

Oh my, that's beautiful.

I know that I love the wildflowers that have been planted along interstates with messages "do not mow." There are some wonderful areas along I 75, just north of Cincinnati, and then east on I70 as I go to NJ.

Bobbi :flower:

[dianeschlicht]

I have an appointment with the restoration guy to come out and evaluate the site on Monday. Now I just hope we don't get that foot of snow they keep talking about for tomorrow! :earseek:

[DebºoºS]

I know nothing about prairie plantings. Sounds like a great project. The pics are beautiful of the restoration.
Wildflowers grow in our field but that's because I just throw extra seeds out there nothing premediated.
Keep us posted. Maybe you can share info and pics as you go.
Hope the snow passes by :sunny:

[dianeschlicht]

Hope the snow passes by
No such luck! It is snowing and blowing like crazy today! Now they are saying 12-18 inches! :eek: