Plan Ahead for Planting Success

If you’re anything like us, you’re thinking about planting and landscaping plans all year ‘round. It may be cold now, but if you’re interested in planting a new prairie, planning ahead will increase your probability of success substantially. There are several factors to think about when planning including water availability, site characteristics, and the intended purpose.

In a new prairie, one of the most important factors to good establishment is moisture. Ensuring adequate moisture levels throughout germination is vital to success. In areas with hot, dry conditions, consider the availability of supplemental watering. After seed has sprouted, it is best to water deeply and infrequently to stimulate root growth and avoid promoting the germination of opportunistic weeds.

Soil health is another important consideration before planting any species. Healthy soils are better able to retain moisture and provide nutrients. Poor soils will likely require higher inputs to get new plants established. A soil test can help determine whether any amendments or fertilizer is necessary. Determining what is needed before seeding will reduce workload once seed is in the ground.

Weed pressure is one of the most common causes of failure when seeding prairie grasses and wildflowers. In weedier areas, competitive cool-season grasses and annual weeds (that produce vast amounts of seed) should be eliminated ahead of planting. This truly can be the difference between a failure and a success. After a prairie has had 2-3 years to establish, controlled spring burning (March-April) can be used to control persistent weeds and small trees while stimulating the warm-season natives. Be sure to acquire proper permits and always follow local laws.

Depending on the purpose (natural landscaping, pasture, pollinator habitat, etc.) preparation and planting may look a little different from site to site, but preparation and patience are key no matter if you’re planting a tallgrass prairie or a wildflower meadow. And remember, planning ahead can save you time and ensure your native seeding project is off to a strong start!