Planting Guide

Prairie Seed Installation Recommendations

Optimum seeding time - October 1 (fall) through July 1 (midsummer)

Sowing seed - Sow seed by hand or with a broadcaster and press into the soil with a roller, cultipacker, or similar implement. Do not cover seed more than 1/4" deep. If not already included in the seed mix, plant a cover crop of seed oats at 32 pounds per acre and annual rye at 10 pounds per acre with the seed. If using a no-till seed drill, follow the manufacturer's recommendations, being careful to not cover the seed more than 1/4" deep. A 1" thick mulch layer of crimped straw is recommended on erosion prone areas.

Wetland Seed Planting Recommendations

Optimum seeding time - October 1 (fall) to July 15 (midsummer)

If wetland is temporarily dry - Good planting success can be obtained by planting when the wetland is dry. Pumping or outlet water controls can be used if available or take advantage of natural dry-down periods.

• Scarify the soil surface by shallow tilling or raking.
• Seed that is packaged wet should be sown in the lower elevations of the wetland where water levels will be deeper. Dry package seed should be sown on the higher elevations but can overlap into the wet-seed areas.
• Press seed firmly in to the soil using a roller, cultipack, or similar equipment. Very light raking is an acceptable alternative, but be careful not to cover seed more than 1/4" deep.
• Restore water level, or wait for normal rainfall to bring water level up after seeding. If feasible use outlet controls to maintain water level depths between 1/2" and 6" until seed germinates and wetland vegetation is well established.

In instances where water level control is not possible, satisfactory results may be obtained by following the techniques listed below.

• Sow wet seed into 4" by 6" of standing water. Sowing seed with damp clay balls aids in distribution and anchoring of seed in desired locations.
• Rake or till lightly an area 6" to 10" above waterline elevation. Actual width of seeding area along shore will vary with degree of shoreline slope. If undesirable weed growth is present, mow or kill before tilling.
• Sow dry-packaged seed in areas at and above waterline. If soil moisture conditions permit, press seed firmly into the soil using a roller, cultipacker, or similar equipment. Use caution so as not to cover seed more than 1/4" deep.

Winter Sowing

Good success can be obtained from winter seeding. Sow wet and dry-packaged seed in the zones as described above directly on bare ground during a winter thaw, or old, frozen snow. Do not apply to loose, newly-fallen snow due to the potential for wind loss. Normal freezing and thawing will create openings in the ground, allowing the seed to work its way naturally into the soil. The seed will be in place to germinate when conditions are right in the spring.