PrairieScaping* a return to Iowa s roots! *The art & science of wildflower seed propagation

Transcription

1 PrairieScaping* a return to Iowa s roots! *The art & science of wildflower seed propagation

2 American Prairie 400 million acres of North America. Sea of grass Rocky Mountains to east of the Mississippi River & Saskatchewan, south to Texas. Continent's largest continuous ecosystem Prairies began appearing 8-10,000 years ago One of the most complicated and diverse ecosystems in the world, surpassed only by the rainforest of Brazil.

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4 American Prairie Too wet for desert - too dry for forests 3 distinct prairie regions West, in the dry Rocky Mountain rain shadow, there is the ankle high shortgrass prairie with its buffalo grass and blue grama. Eastern prairies are wetter and support tallgrass prairies with Big Bluestem, Indian Grass, and Switch Grass growing to heights of eight feet at times. Between lies the mid-grass prairie dominated by side-oats grama and wheatgrass, with a mixture of shortgrass prairies in dry sites and tallgrass in wetter sites Fauna million bison roaming the prairies. Elk, deer, and antelope grizzly bear and wolf. Hoards of smaller wildlife from birds to pocket gophers

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7 American Prairie Man discovered the rich soils about 150 years ago. They plowed the prairie everywhere they could for the production of wheat, corn, and other domestic crops. Today, 1% of its original area. One of the rarest and most endangered ecosystems in the world. Largest remaining area still left unplowed - Flint Hills. (from Nebraska border, south into northern Oklahoma)

8 American Prairie Plants have evolved on a landscape that can be difficult to survive on. Climates range from extreme heat and drought in August to bitter cold winters locked in ice and frigid winds.

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15 American Prairie Fires sweep across the prairie consuming everything in its path. On top of this there is a barrage of organisms feeding on these plants as fast as they grow. Secret to the survival of the prairie plants in such a hostile environment is that 75-80% of the prairies biomass, or plant material, is underground. Visible plants seen on the landscape are merely the photosynthetic leaves gathering sunlight for a much larger community underground. Just beneath the surface lies the main stems or rhizomes, running horizontally. Here they lie protected from drying, grazing, trampling, fire, and frost. Tough fibrous roots descend from these rhizomes deep into the ground.

16 American Prairie Roots of some plants such as dotted gayfeather have been reported to go 10 to 15 feet deep. On these roots, are microscopic "rootlets" numbering in the billions and utilized by the plant. Even smaller than rootlets are mycorrhizae that support plant growth by drawing in nutrients too little for even rootlets to obtain. The roots of plants are so numerous, that were one plant's roots placed end to end they would stretch for miles. The competition for nutrients and resources is fierce, so thickly interwoven are plant roots that early settlers were able to cut bricks out of the sod to build homes and schools.

17 American Prairie Any animal that lives on the Great Plains must be adapted for the grassland ecosystem and the extremes of climate that prevail here. Rainfall <10" per year on the high plains to 45" per year where the tallgrass prairie blends into the eastern deciduous forest. The annual swing of temperature can be as much as 130 degrees Fahrenheit between winter and summer. Wind can be a major factor as well. Weather systems typically move fast on the Great Plains, stirring up the atmosphere with dramatic results. Aerial creatures such as birds and insects must be able to cope with this constant shifting of the medium they inhabit. The variety of habitats and climate provides opportunities for a wide variety of animals and plants.

18 87 species of mammals 457 species of birds 67 species of snakes, lizards and turtles 32 species of amphibians 142 species of fish ~ 20,000 species of invertebrate animals 15,000 species of insects 46 species of unionid mussels ~ 200 species of woody plants over 800 species of non-woody flowering plants ~ 150 species of grasses American Prairie

19 American Prairie 80% - grasses (40 to 60 different species) 20% - over 300 species of forbs also > 100 species of lichens and liverworts Plus numerous species of woody trees and shrubs along creeks and protected areas. Prairie landscapes vary in soil types and depth, moisture, and slope. This creates many different situations and niches for specific plant communities to fit into.

20 Grasses - most valuable to human and animal life as food sources throughout the world. All the cereal crops grown for consumption are grasses e.g., barley, corn, rice and wheat. Grasses - number 1 food source for wild and domestic grazing animals Perennial grasses - primary material used for lawns. Most flowers of the grasses are pollinated by the wind and are simple structures that are sometimes produced in large clusters, as in corn for example. The tassels are made up of individual male flowers and the young ears on the corn stalks are clusters of female flowers. Grasses occur naturally from Antarctica to above the Arctic Circle. Big Bluestem

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23 This picture was taken in mid August when the Big Bluestem is beginning to mature and is near its maximum height. Big Bluestem

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25 Little Bluestem - warm season perennial grass 4 tall Dense clusters with a root system that goes down 5 8 feet. The leaves, like the Big Bluestem, emerge from the stem folded and unfold as they grow to twelve inches in length and less than one-fourth inch wide. Fall - plants turn reddish and sport white, feathery flowers. Little Bluestem

26 Performs well as an accent in the garden, and is also a very good choice for natural settings or wildscapes in the home landscape. It provides interest when planted in random patches on slopes and dry areas associated with post oak and yaupon landscapes, and grows either in full sun or partial shade. Masses of Little Bluestem may be combined with flowering perennials such as rudbeckias, salvias, daylilies and daisies as a effective transition zone between the well watered and cultivated garden area and a surrounding wildscape which blends into woods or pasture at the back of the home landscape. Little Bluestem

27 Little Bluestem is not usually noticed until after a frost when the plant becomes a warm bronze color. Although grazed, animals at times avoid the grass being repelled by it coarse, dried stems. This leaves Little Bluestem tall enough to be important nesting cover for grouse. Little Bluestem

28 Little Bluestem A patch of Little Bluestem waving in the wind is truly a wondrous sight, resembling ocean waves, Hardy to Zone 4.

29 Indiangrass Indian Grass Sorghastum nutans Grows to a height of 2 metres. It is one of the main components of the tall grass prairie community. This grass is very nutritious for livestock. Warm season grass, greening up in the spring after the soil has warmed (around June). Occurs with Big and Little Bluestem and Switchgrass in tallgrass prairie. Indian Grass can be identified by a pair of tooth-like, pointed lobes where the leaf meets the stem Indian grass is characterized by a relatively hair-free leaf and stem and the classic "gunsight" formed by the notched ligule. Rob Kallenbach and Greg Bishop-Hurley, University of Missouri

30 The seed heads form attractive plumes at the top of the stems. Indiangrass

31 Indian grass is readily identified by its tall (more than 5 feet) stem and goldenplumed seed head. Indiangrass

32 Sideoats Gama side-oats grama grass Bouteloua curtipendula Important constituent of the drier areas of Iowa s tallgrass prairie. Clumps of this grass make good specimen plants or larger area plantings. The flowers are arranged in an interesting manner, spikes arranged along one side of a central axis. The flowers don t shatter easily and work well for cut flowers and dried arrangements. This grass withstands occasional mowing and can sometimes be seen flowering in old cemeteries.

33 Annual or perennial: perennial Origin: native Height: 2-3 feet Hardiness: zone 3 Habit: clumping Moisture: tolerates drought Propagation: seed, division Light: full sun Flowering: July- September Uses: specimen and larger plantings, fresh and dried flowers Sideoats Gama

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35 Prairie dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepsis) is a beautiful clump grass readily identified by its narrow long leaves, rarely > 1/8 Dropseed leaves grow densely around a circular base. They vary in color from green to steely blue-gray, and grow up to three feet long. Prairie Dropseed

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38 Prairie Dropseed The prairie dropseed is a warm-season grass foliage that creates a supple dancelike movement when blowing in the wind.

39 butterfly magnet. Butterfly Milkweed

40 Butterfly Milkweed Likes to be high and dry, growing in elevated prairies, slopes, and uplands. Not a common plant to find, but most often growing in sandy soil Proliferates in open, sunny prairies and oak savannas

41 Out on the prairies, butterfly weed hits its prime in July and into August, alongside grasses such as sideoats grama, little bluestem, and big bluestem (before that grass has overtowered Asclepias modest two or three feet). Other signs that you re in the right place are the yellows of compass plant and the purples of tall blazing star and wild bergamot. Butterfly weed flowers disappear by mid-august, replaced by distinctive, slender seedpods. Though the butterflies have mostly gone away, one might consider these pods child magnets, since kids can t resist teasing out the silky seeds and sending them floating on the wind. Butterfly Milkweed

42 Grayhead Coneflower Grey Headed Coneflower (Ratibida pinnata) The grey cone of this native US wildflower turns brown as the drooping yellow petals fall. It is also called Prairie Coneflower, and is related to Mexican Hat and Yellow Coneflower. Height: inches Perennial Planting requirements: full sun; well-drained soil. Surface sow or to no more than 1/8" deep.

43 Grayhead Coneflower

44 Prairie Blazing Star

45 Prairie Blazing Star hardy, native perennial herb that grows from a tuber. One of the most conspicuous of the prairie inhabitants, > 5 high The top two-thirds of prairie blazing star is a spike of rose-purple, thistle-like flowers that are given a somewhat fuzzy appearance by extended white stamens (male flower parts) and pistils (female flower parts). Flowering starts at the top of the spike and moves progressively downward.

46 Prairie Blazing Star All Liatris produce flowers in wand-like spikes or racemes. Flowers are produced in late summer and autumn. Multiply by offsets from their cormlike base, or may be grown from seed, which should be sown in autumn. Thrive best in good, rich garden soil, and require no special care.

47 Vernonia noveboracensis Family: Aster (Asteraceae) Habitat: moist thickets and stream edges Height: 3-7 feet Flower size: flowerheads 1/2 to 3/4 inch across, in clusters 3-5 inches across Flower color: purple Flowering time: August to October Ironweed

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49 Black-eyed Susan Black-Eyed Susan Rudbeckia hirta (Asteraceae) Stiff, upright annual or shortlived perennial Native to the eastern United States, but has become endemic throughout North America. Probably the most common of all American wildflowers. Thrives in most soils in full sun. Forgives neglect.

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51 Biennial forb about 1 m tall After germination, the seedling grows into a rosette with oblong leaves. Sometimes flower stalks will appear in the first summer, but typically black-eyed Susan blooms from June to September of the second year. After flowering and seed maturation, the plants die. The seed is very small (1,746,000 per pound). Black-eyed Susan

52 Common Evening Primrose Common Evening Primrose Oenothera biennis Evening Primrose family (Onagraceae) Native biennial plant can be 8' tall, although it is often shorter. Usually a central stem with alternate leaves, but sometimes there will be multiple stems in open areas, creating a bushy appearance.

53 Common Evening Primrose Each flower is about 1" across when fully open, with 4 petals and prominent stamens, and a long green calyx. Flowers remain open from evening to early morning, but will remain open longer on cloudy days. They have a mild lemony scent, and bloom from midsummer to fall on mature plants. Long narrow seedpods develop, which split open from the top to release many tiny, irregular brown seeds. They are small enough to be dispersed by the wind, and can remain viable in the soil after 70 years. The root system consists of a fleshy taproot.

54 Common Evening Primrose Alternate Names Weedy evening-primrose, German rampion, hog weed, King s cure-all, fever-plant The Cherokee, Iroquois, Ojibwas, and Potawatomi were among several Native American tribes that used common evening-primrose for both food and for medicinal purposes. Roots were boiled and eaten like potatoes. The young leaves were cooked and served as greens. The shoots were eaten raw. A tea was made from the plant and used as a dietary aid or stimulant to treat laziness and overfatness. A hot poultice made from the pounded roots was applied externally to treat piles and boils. A poultice made from the entire plant was used to treat bruises. The roots were chewed and rubbed onto the muscles to improve strength

55 Cup Plant 4-8 feet. Yellow bloom on the upper part of the plant from July to September. Flower heads 3 in diameter Leaf pairs are united at the bases of the stem, forming a cup (hence the common name) Will collect rain-water. Also called cup rosin weed because its stems release a gummy sap when broken or cut.

56 Full or partial sun, and moist loamy soil May topple over during a rainstorm with strong winds, particularly while it is blooming, or situated on a slope. Cup Plant

57 Golden Alexanders Family: Carrot (Apiaceae) Habitat: wet meadows and thickets, swamps Height: 1-3 feet Flower size: tiny, in a flat-topped cluster 2 inches across Flowering time: April to June

58 Small shrubby prairie plant with tight spikes of iridescent purple and orange flowers May to August. Dry to mesic prairies and in open, upland savannas through most of the tallgrass region. Silver-green foliage is quite handsome. In the legume family so it fixes nitrogen in the soil. Because of its long, stringy roots, it is sometimes called Prairie Shoestring. Leadplant

59 Leadplant Height Inches Spread Inches USDA Hardiness Zone 2-8 Home Owner Growing and Maintenance Tips: Grow in full sun.

60 New England Aster Aster novae-angliae (Asteraceae) Prefers full sun in moist, rich soil. Not the easiest variety to grow from seed but one of the most rewarding. Average planting success with this species: 40% Height: 2-6 feet Germination: days Optimum soil temperature for germination: 65-75F Sowing depth: Surface Sow Blooming period: August-October The leaves, when crushed, release an aroma similar to turpentine. Plants can be divided easily in late fall and to retain vigor, should be done every two to three years.

61 New England Aster Symphyotrichum novaeangliae (Aster novae-angliae) Compared to other native asters, New England aster flowers have more rays (around 40) and, usually, more intense purple color. Family: Aster (Asteraceae) Damp thickets and meadows 3-7 feet high Flowerheads 1-1/2 inches across Blooms August to October

62 Oxeye False Sunflower Heliopsis helianthoides, False Sunflower or Oxeye Sunflower Many 2 to 3 inch golden yellow flowers 2 to 6 feet tall in light shade to full sun Best in average, well-drained, moist garden soil. Hardy perennial tolerates drought Increases more rapidly in fertile soil. Attract nectar seeking butterflies and birds enjoy the ripe seeds. Exceptionally long-blooming flower for the cutting garden. False Sunflower is accented well in a butterfly garden or prairie meadow when planted with coneflowers, blazing stars, Asters, and prairie grasses.

63 Oxeye False Sunflower Alternate Names Smooth Oxeye, False Sunflower, Oxeye, Oxeye Daisy, Heliopsis Sunflower American Indians made a tea from this plant as a cure for various lung ailments. Distinguishing Characteristics: leaves opposite on stalks, shaped like arrowheads with small paired leaves at the base of the leaf stalk

64 Oxeye False Sunflower Smooth Oxeye can be established from seed. Planting should occur in the spring, between March and April. Cold, damp stratification for 30 days at 40 C is suggested to improve germination, but is reportedly not necessary..

65 Pale Purple Coneflower Long-tongued bees, butterflies, and skippers Goldfinches occasionally eat the seeds. Usually precedes Echinacea purpurea (Purple Coneflower) in bloom by about 2-4 weeks. Sometimes their flowers are difficult to tell apart, but the leaves of Pale Purple Coneflower are more long and narrow, hairier, lighter green, and tend to remain near the base of the plant.

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67 Purple Coneflower Flowers large and colorful. There is a cultivated form, called 'White Swan,' that is often grown in flower gardens, but plants with white flowers are very rare in the wild

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69 Purple Prairie Clover Petalostemum purpureum (Fabaceae) An upright perennial variety native to the north central portion of the United States. The unique lavender-purple flowers are concentrated on slender cones at the ends of wiry stems. The blooms begin to open from the base of the cone and slowly ascend to the tip. Prefers sandy or well-drained soils in full sun. Average planting success with this species: 60% 1-3 feet high Germination: days Optimum soil temperature for germination: 65-70F Sowing depth: 1/16 Blooming period: May-September Suggested use: Slopes, mass plantings, roadsides, meadows. An excellent high protein forage for livestock. Very drought tolerant due to an extensive root system which makes transplanting difficult.

70 Purple Prairie Clover many kinds of insects, including longtongued bees, shorttongued bees, wasps, flies, small butterflies, skippers, beetles, and plant bugs.

71 Purple Prairie Clover Alternate names - violet prairie clover, red tassel flower, thimbleweed, and wanahcha (Lakota) Uses excellent forage for livestock and wildlife. It is high in protein and highly palatable, although it may cause bloat. will decrease and disappear under persistent overgrazing. Important legume in native grasslands because of nitrogen fixation. Native Americans ate fresh and boiled leaves of purple prairie clover. Bruised leaves were steeped in water and applied to fresh, open wounds. Ponca Indians chewed the roots for their pleasant flavor and made tea from the leaves. Pawnee Indians used the bundled stems to make brooms.

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73 Showy Goldenrod Solidago speciosa Family: Aster (Asteraceae) Habitat: thickets, fields & roadsides Height: 2 to 6 feet Flower size: flowerheads around 1/4 inch long August to October

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75 Showy Goldenrod Very showy while in bloom. To tell apart from other goldenrods the flowering stems of the inflorescence are held erect or curve upward, rather than outward and downward both the stems and leaves are hairless, or nearly so there are smaller wing-like leaves in the upper axils of the primary leaves, particularly in the upper half of the central stem.

76 Stiff Goldenrod Stiff Goldenrod (Hardleaved Goldenrod) Oligoneuron rigidum (Solidago rigida) Family: Aster Open, dry, rocky or sandy areas August to September

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78 Small light blue flowers growing on many branching stalks at the top of the plant. Perennial, branching plants are up to 3 feet tall, Attracts:Butterflies and Honeybees. August through October. Full sun to partial shade. Moisture:Middle to dry. Soil types:sandy loam best. Plant seed in desired location covered by 1/4 inch of soil, and firm. Mature plants can be divided. Sky Blue Aster

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80 Cold, moist stratification. Mix seed with moist but not wet, sterile growing medium. Place mixture in a labeled, sealed plastic bag and store in refrigerator for six to eight weeks. Approximately 80,000 seeds per ounce!

81 Virginia Mountain Mint Pycnanthemum virginianum Family: Mint (Lamiaceae) Habitat: dry fields, thickets easily grown plant, prefers sun 1-3 feet July to September

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83 Monarda fistulosa (bee balm, horsemint) Family: Mint (Lamiaceae) Habitat: dry fields, thickets, and clearings, usually on limy soil Height: 2-3 feet Flower size: 1/2 to 3/4 inch long Flower color: pink to lavender July to August Wild Bergamot

84 Establishing (3-5 years) Prepare a clean weed free seedbed by disking and harrowing or using chemical weed control. Firm the seedbed by cultipacking. Seedbed should be firm enough to allow seed to be planted ¼ inch deep. For A seeder with a legume box works well in the seeding operation, although other types of seeders or drills maybe used. Apply no fertilizer the establishment year unless a soil test indicates a severe deficiency of phosphorus and potassium. Use no nitrogen during the establishment year as this can encourage weed competition. Seedling vigor is good and stands are comparatively easy to establish where competition is controlled. Management - During establishment, reduce weed competition by mowing above the height of the prairie blazing star or using approved herbicides. In established stands, prescribed burning may be appropriate where plant vigor declines or where invader species threaten native mix stands.

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86 Planting Timetable Options Time Advantage Disadvantage FALL (start to plant mid October until the ground freezes) Clay soils are easier to work in the fall than the spring. Higher sedge and forb germination in the first growing season. High moisture conditions at time of germination. Less watering needed. Eliminates the need for cold moist stratification of seed. Early establishment of warm season grasses can be inhibited. Cool season weeds become competition for new seedlings in spring. Erosion prone sites need cover crop seeding which is earlier and separate from the native sowing. FROST (start to plant in early winter just before snowfall or snow free periods until spring) No raking or packing of site. Higher sedge and forb germination in the first growing season. High moisture conditions at time of germination. Less watering needed. Eliminates the need for cold moist stratification of seed. Early establishment of warm season grasses can be inhibited. Cool season weeds become competition for new seedlings in spring. Erosion prone sites need cover crop seeding which is earlier and separate from the native sowing. SPRING (start to plant in May until June) Cool season weeds can be eliminated before planting. On erosion prone sites a cover crop can be mixed and planted at the same time as the natives. Optimal for warm season grasses..more time to do thorough soil preparation and spring weed control. Clay soil is more difficult to work with. Need of additional early mowing May 15 to June 7. More watering is needed especially if you cold moist stratify the seed. Delayed (1yr) germination for those forbs and sedges which require cold moist stratification or over wintering.

87 Seeding Technique Method Comments Hand broadcasting The simplest method is to scatter seed by hand over the bare soil. Mixing seed with sand before broadcasting allows for more even seed distribution. Various hand-cranked seed broadcasters are available for surface broadcasting of seed. Two passes over the site works best, at right angles to each other. Rake seed in lightly. Firmly pack soil after seeding to ensure good seed-soil contact. On a small site, stamp it in or let children have fun jumping on plywood boards that are moved around the site. Larger sites can be rolled or cultipacked. Suitable for small projects and gardens. Unskilled labor can be used. Equipment is inexpensive. Can be done on wet sites or slopes that equipment cannot reach. Seeding rates are twice those recommended for drilling. Cannot be done on windy days.

88 Machine broadcasting A tractor-pulled wildflower seeder or an ATV-mounted seeder broadcasts seed. Equipment brand names include Bevco and Truax. Incorporate seed lightly into the soil by raking or dragging chains behind the ATV. Use a lawn roller or tractor-pulled cultipacker after broadcasting seed to make the soil firm and ensure good seed-soil contact. Suitable for large projects. Equipment is less expensive than a drill. Equipment availability and price can be a problem. Skilled labour is necessary. Seeding rates are twice those recommended for drilling (see Drilling, below). Calibrating the seed rate can be difficult. Cannot be done on windy days. Fluffy seed will not always flow through seeder, but cracked grain can be added to help prevent equipment from plugging. Drilling A tractor-pulled native-seed drill places the seed at a predetermined depth and spacing, and then packs soil firmly. Equipment brand names include Truax, Nesbit, Great Plains, Brillion and Tye. One pass over the site is adequate. Suitable for large projects. No-till option available. Designed to handle fluffy seed, but seed must be free of chaff and stems. Most efficient use of limited seed. Can be done on windy days. Ensures good soil contact without use of additional equipment. Equipment availability and price can be a problem. Skilled labour is necessary. Equipment can get plugged up if seed is not clean enough; add cracked grain to seed to help it flow through the equipment.

89 Seed treatments. Various seed treatments may be necessary for proper germination. Treatments include: sowing fresh seed - works well for most spring flowering species. cold moist stratification - accomplished by mixing seed with damp sand or vermiculite. The mixture is placed in a plastic bag and put into a refrigerator where the temperature is F. Species differ on how much time they need to be stratified; some will require 10 days, while others will require 120 days, but for most species days is typical ((Kurtz 2001). Once the treatment is achieved, planting should take place in mid-spring when the outdoor temperature is warming up. Species that require stratification can also be sown directly outside in the fall. warm moist stratification - Warm moist stratification can be done by mixing seed with damp sand or vermiculite, then placing the seed in a plastic bag and warming to F. cold dry stratification - Cold dry stratification requires that dry seed be placed in a plastic bag and put into cold storage for a period of time.

90 Seed treatments (cont d) inoculation of legumes with nitrogen-fixing bacteria enhances growth. Bacteria are applied to wet seed just before it is planted. scarification - the process of physically breaking down seed coats, so the plant embryo can take up water and begin to grow. Seeds can be scarified with a piece of sandpaper or by soaking in acid baths, which mimics the natural process of being eaten by an animal and broken down within the digestive system. light treatment - full sunlight is needed for some seeds that require light to break dormancy and these species can be sown on the surface of a firm smooth seedbed. Some plant species have complex propagation requirements and require combining the above techniques in a particular pattern. vegetative propagation - the process of dividing roots and planting pieces of the parent plant to create other individuals.

91 Other terms Interseeding. Interseeding refers to the process of planting seed directly into existing vegetation without plowing or herbiciding. This method is preferred where there are many conservation species in an area to be preserved and can serve to increase diversity in the planting. Mosaic seeding. This technique involves various seeding rates and species mixes for different sites within the prairie restoration area. It can be used to increase botanical diversity. For example, planting more forbs in an area may allow species to survive that will not compete well with grasses. Planting in this manner allows for unevenness or patches to develop, which mimics a natural prairie. These patches create different types of habitat and result in greater faunal diversity. Planting. A no-till drill specifically designed for seeding the fluffy seeds characteristic of native grasses is recommended for prairie plantings

92 Management of your reconstructed prairie - First year - early establishment: About three weeks after the prairie is planted for a spring planting or around June for a fall planting, begin monitoring the prairie for weeds. Once the weed growth reaches a height of ten to twelve inches, mow with a sickle or rotary mower back to two to four inches. Repeat about every three weeks depending on the rain and height of the prairie until mid September. Gradually increase the mowing height to eight inches.

93 Second year As the prairie becomes more established, it will begin to choke out the weeds. During the second year, weeds will likely still exist in your planting. The best maintenance for the prairie during this time period is manually removing the weeds; however occasional mowing may be necessary to reduce weeds. The prairie should be mowed no shorter than eight inches. Some weeds are particularly difficult to remove such as Canada thistle or curly dock, so a herbicide may need to be used. Contact your local county conservation board or county weed commissioner to determine which herbicide is appropriate. Do not be discouraged, some plants may take a while to establish and even longer to bloom.

94 Third year The prairie planting is ready for its first burn. The roots of the plants should be developed enough that the plant can withstand burning. Burning should be continued for the next 3 to 4 years or until the prairie is well established. Establishment will vary on each site and depends on the weather from year to year. Burning is recognized as a management tool for prairies but is also very helpful during the restoration and reconstruction of a prairie. Burning stresses exotic plants and creates microclimates more suitable for the native prairie plants. The time of year and frequency of the burns will depend on the goals of the burn. Most prairie restorationists feel it should be burned every two to four years once established.