How to prepare ground for prairie seed mix - Ask Extension
Hello,
I just bought a house in Ramsey county that has a fairly neglected yard. I am planning to add prairie/woodland mixed from Prairie Moon nurser...
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How to prepare ground for prairie seed mix #887613
Asked October 10, 2024, 9:05 AM EDT
Hello,
I just bought a house in Ramsey county that has a fairly neglected yard. I am planning to add prairie/woodland mixed from Prairie Moon nursery. I have one very shaded area where I plan to use their woodland/shade mix, a sunnier area where I plan to use their tall prairie mix, etc. I have read on their website that preparing the planting area is vital for success, so I am reversing next growing season for this and plan to sow around this time next fall. However, I'm unsure what the best preparation method for my space is. The first two gardens I want to focus on are long and narrow, about 4 feet wide, in between my garage and the fences, so I'm not sure it makes sense to till with a rototiller and I'm intimidated by tilling by hand. I have heard about using black plastic and laying it down and removing it periodically to encourage more plant to sprout, and putting it back again to deplete the seed bank. If this it the best method, it seems feasible, I just sort of bristle at needing to buy black plastic and using it in the garden. Would cardboard and leaves/other mulch on top be sufficient? Or would this not sufficiently deplete the seed bank? If using this method would I apply cardboard and leaves both now in fall and again in spring or just once?
Thank you
August
Ramsey County Minnesota
Expert Response
We presume you have read Prairie Moon's site prep recommendations:
https://www.prairiemoon.com/blog/site-prep
Smothering with cardboard and wood mulch is an alternative to black plastic. Smothering for a full growing season should be sufficient.
The herbicide method might also serve your purpose.
If you are still unsure how to proceed, please direct your question to Prairie Moon.
More site prep guidelines here:
https://docs.lib.purdue.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1538&context=roadschool
https://www.prairiemoon.com/blog/site-prep
Smothering with cardboard and wood mulch is an alternative to black plastic. Smothering for a full growing season should be sufficient.
The herbicide method might also serve your purpose.
If you are still unsure how to proceed, please direct your question to Prairie Moon.
More site prep guidelines here:
https://docs.lib.purdue.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1538&context=roadschool