So i have roughly 4.5 acres that was a hay field for a long time and when we bought the property i let it go and started planting trees along a ever changing path that i mow. Ive planted hundreds of native trees/ bushes and adding dozens more every year. I was hopeful native grass and flowers would start popping up on their own but after 5 years its making little progress.
The major problem is the grass it just outcompetes everything. 3” thick only lasted 1 year before it was grass again. The ground is actually damp and mossy undernear the thatch. There are some milkweed and goldenrod and small random flowers that have established by themselves but thats it.
My plan is the keep planting trees/ bushes but id like everything else to be prairie. What do you think my best option is? I have more time than money and my outlook is a longterm project for my 2 kids and following generations to enjoy.
Solarization?
Cardboard?
Rototill?
Then seed with a mix?
Maybe no seed needed?
by RepulsiveMatter1971
14 Comments
Sorry im in southeastern wisconsin. Pictures are of the land described and the current state of the land
What do I think? I think I need an invite so I can walk the awesome trail is what I think.
You can sheet mulch one area at a time with cardboard and arborist chips, then plant into it the following year. Definitely recommend large mulch donuts around your new shrubs and trees to keep the cover crops from competing with them. Creating large berms and swales then sheet mulching will give you planting pockets to focus on.
DO NOT TILL. you have no idea what lies beneath in the seed bank. It could be a beautiful native meadow or it could be a crazy invasive mess.
you can get HUGE rolls of thick black plastic for pretty cheap. I think I spent about 80$ to get two 100’ x 20’ 6mil plastic. It works great and is reusable so you can rotate sections at a time.
When I am done with the project i’m gonna cut it up into more manageable tarp sections and keep it for future uses.
Aliens
What if the nazca lines were just paths people took through a big garden
It’s easy to do a no lawn when you own a prairie. lol
Looks like a Picasso
Call your conservation department. They have local experts that can guide you in this:
https://wisconsinlandwater.org/members-hub/members
First – consider taking prescribed prairie burn classes so you can safely burn your land. It helps discourage nonnative plants while encouraging native plants to emerge. There are free classes online, also look for volunteer opportunities with local open space and force preserve organizations to participate in their prescribed burn so that you can get experience.
I think with more time than money I would focus on wiping out existing plants from one specific area (via solarization, rototil, whatever) — whatever size you can maintain as it establishes. Keep at least the perimeter around that area mowed too so you have less creeping in.
Take note of the nature of your soil. Does it drain well or is it poor draining? Is it frequently wet or just in the spring? This will determine which plants will do best in that area.
Harvest seeds from your existing desired native plants to spread this fall or early spring next year. Reserve some for winter sowing.
Winter sowing is a very affordable way to produce a lot of of plants. [Here’s the details](https://thereidhomestead.com/seed-starting-101-winter-sowing/)
One year I got 382 plants from about $30 worth of seeds this way
When you’re doing seed gathering, which is by the way a really gratifying task, look for the native grasses and sedges to gather from too. These are sort of the skeleton of prairies and about 2/3 of what you so should be sedges, grasses reeds etc. with the remaining third being your flowering plants.
Don’t sow too much big bluestem if you can avoid it because it likes to make a monoculture and hard to tame it later on.
Every year keep trying to increase the size of your prairie while maintaining the existing space. It will definitely take time, but I think you’ll enjoy the prairie even when it’s small.
I’d probably make it an experiment. Select areas for solarizing, sheet mulch and heavy reseeding with compost. See how they perform then adopt the method that works best for you. My guess is that each method has its place depending on your goals. If you want wildflowers and native grasses, I’d probably solarize then add a thick layer of compost and heavily seed a good native mix. Bushes may need sheet mulch and compost to get established so they’re not competing for resources. I wonder if your land would benefit from more inputs from animals. After all, they’re an important part of revitalizing soil health. Is there a neighbor who would be happy to graze their animals on your land occasionally? Sheep or horses since you want to reduce grasses. Goats might take out your small natives.
Ive been considering burning for last few years i just need to take the class and do it already. Soil is dry and well draining. Thanks for the info on seed gathering. I have collected some and a few grew but i will continue on with the effort!
Prairie restoration is a whole thing by itself, and you’ll need to research it heavily cos it does require controlled burns afaik which might be what’s missing in your efforts. I really don’t know much about the subject cos I’ve not needed to, but I love gardening and come across prairie restoration efforts. It’s a lot of work and time, and I fully support your efforts. You should be able to find quite a lot of info about prairie restoration, and you’ll probably get to know your local firefighters pretty well . 🙃