Landscaping With Native Plants How to turn your backyard in a prairie paradise

What is a prairie? Prairies are native grasslands Prairies are native grasslands They extended from the Rocky Mountains to the Eastern edges of Illinois They extended from the Rocky Mountains to the Eastern edges of Illinois The vegetation is tall grasses to the east, short grasses to the west, with a combination of both in the middle The vegetation is tall grasses to the east, short grasses to the west, with a combination of both in the middle Often supported up to 350 different species of flora Often supported up to 350 different species of flora

Extension of the Prairies in U.S. Picture Courtesy of Chicago Wilderness

Prairies – A historical perspective Grasses started developing in the Miocene Epoch, about 25 million years ago Grasses started developing in the Miocene Epoch, about 25 million years ago At the time of European Settlement they covered large areas of Earth; they are known as prairies in North America, pampas in South America and steppes in Central Asia At the time of European Settlement they covered large areas of Earth; they are known as prairies in North America, pampas in South America and steppes in Central Asia Over time, the soil in which the grasses grew became rich in organic material due to their extensive root system Over time, the soil in which the grasses grew became rich in organic material due to their extensive root system Early settlers found this soil very productive and began converting it to agricultural use Early settlers found this soil very productive and began converting it to agricultural use Today only a few areas still have the pre-settlement prairies; these areas are known as prairie remnants Today only a few areas still have the pre-settlement prairies; these areas are known as prairie remnants

Root system of the prairie grasses Picture Courtesy of Chicago Wilderness

Why choose native plants? Prairie plants are well suited to the soils and environment of Illinois Prairie plants are well suited to the soils and environment of Illinois They are perennials that do not require replanting every year They are perennials that do not require replanting every year Prairie plants are nearly free of disease Prairie plants are nearly free of disease Drought resistant Drought resistant They attract butterflies, hummingbirds and other interesting insects They attract butterflies, hummingbirds and other interesting insects Spirit of conservation Spirit of conservation Prairie grasses are spectacular during the fall when they assume their russet, yellow, bronze, and orange colors Prairie grasses are spectacular during the fall when they assume their russet, yellow, bronze, and orange colors

Location Start by looking at your site Start by looking at your site Imagine what you want to accomplish Imagine what you want to accomplish Think about how much work you want to invest in your native garden Think about how much work you want to invest in your native garden Visualize the colors and layout (keep in mind the heights of the plants) Visualize the colors and layout (keep in mind the heights of the plants) Make a plan on paper Make a plan on paper Keep in mind measurements and planting requirements Keep in mind measurements and planting requirements Do not exclude the rest of your property – plan the native garden as part of a whole Do not exclude the rest of your property – plan the native garden as part of a whole

Make a plan Courtesy of Minnesota DNR

Site preparation Know your soil and sun/shade pattern Know your soil and sun/shade pattern This is a necessary step in order to decide what plants are going to be planted and where This is a necessary step in order to decide what plants are going to be planted and where Eliminate turf Eliminate turf You can do this with a turf cutter or you can smother the grass You can do this with a turf cutter or you can smother the grass Make sure you remove the turf completely before you start planting Make sure you remove the turf completely before you start planting Improve your soil Improve your soil

Choosing plants Since you made a planting design that shows the shade patterns in your yard, it will be easy to choose the correct prairie plants Since you made a planting design that shows the shade patterns in your yard, it will be easy to choose the correct prairie plants I included a list of prairie nurseries in Illinois; they can answer the more in-depth questions that could arise from such a project I included a list of prairie nurseries in Illinois; they can answer the more in-depth questions that could arise from such a project You can also purchase prairie plants from the Soil and Water Conservation District Annual Plant Sale You can also purchase prairie plants from the Soil and Water Conservation District Annual Plant Sale

Plants for full sun Pictures Courtesy of Chicago Wilderness

Plants for partial shade Pictures Courtesy of Chicago Wilderness

Plants for shady areas Pictures Courtesy of Chicago Wilderness

Planting Depending on your budget you can purchase “live” plants in containers, bare root plants or seeds Depending on your budget you can purchase “live” plants in containers, bare root plants or seeds If you decide to use seeds be weary of vendors that claim to sell native seeds and actually give exotics or invasive species If you decide to use seeds be weary of vendors that claim to sell native seeds and actually give exotics or invasive species Follow the directions on the seed packet when proceeding with the planting Follow the directions on the seed packet when proceeding with the planting Planting should be done in spring to allow plants to establish their roots Planting should be done in spring to allow plants to establish their roots

Planting Now that you have the area cleared out, the plants and the weed barrier cloth you are ready to do the hard work Now that you have the area cleared out, the plants and the weed barrier cloth you are ready to do the hard work First lay down the barrier cloth and secure it in place First lay down the barrier cloth and secure it in place Use a knife to cut slits in the cloth where you are planting your plants Use a knife to cut slits in the cloth where you are planting your plants Plant your prairie plants one per square foot; this is necessary for proper root growth Plant your prairie plants one per square foot; this is necessary for proper root growth Cover the area with mulch Cover the area with mulch Picture Courtesy of FrostProof.com Picture Courtesy of H&E Sod

Maintenance The first year after planting your prairie garden is very important in terms of maintenance The first year after planting your prairie garden is very important in terms of maintenance It will determine how well your garden will do in the future It will determine how well your garden will do in the future Two key components are watering and weeding Two key components are watering and weeding Second component cannot be emphasized enough since the plants and weeds are in powerful competition for resources Second component cannot be emphasized enough since the plants and weeds are in powerful competition for resources Once the garden is established the amount of maintenance will reduce considerably Once the garden is established the amount of maintenance will reduce considerably

Eventually your garden will look like this…

Resources “Gardening with Prairie Plants” ISBN “Gardening with Prairie Plants” ISBN How To Create Beautiful Native Landscapes How To Create Beautiful Native Landscapes by Sally Wasowski by Sally Wasowski eowners%20Resources – check out the homeowner’s fact sheets eowners%20Resources – check out the homeowner’s fact sheets eowners%20Resources eowners%20Resources fm -- check out the plants pictures and descriptions fm -- check out the plants pictures and descriptions fm fm 2.htm 2.htm 2.htm 2.htm

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