Maintaining your Native Plant Community

Prairie Maintenance

Watering is always beneficial, especially during extended dry periods while seed is germinating and plants are becoming established. A newly seeded prairie should receive the equivalent of 1 inch of water per week for the first 4-6 weeks, either via rainfall or irrigation.

Outside of invasive exotics, do not pull weeks while seed is germinating or desirable plants may be uprooted with the weeks. Weeds also provide fuel for burning during the first years of prairie establishment.

Prescribed burns are the most effective prairie management tool. Burning is essential to the long-term maintenance of your prairie. Burns should be conducted only by experienced persons who are properly equipped and trained in fire management techniques and safety.

• Conduct burns generally from mid-October through April.
• Burn your prairie annually for the first three years and at least every third year thereafter. There may be insufficient growth to sustain a good burn the first year and burning may be delayed until the second year.
• Large sites should be divided into sections and only one section burned each year. This enhances prairie diversity, leaves habitat and smaller areas easier to control.
• If burning is not practical, mowing may be substituted. Mow in late fall annually the first three years and every third year thereafter.