Prairie Grass Seed & Spring Planting

Consult with Regional Experts

• Consult with your state's Department of Natural Resources or with the nearest university extension cooperative in your area for recommendations on planting and sustaining prairie grasses in your region. You will want to use the seeds, soil treatments and procedures that are best for your region. Seeds, grasses and wildflowers that are native to your area are best. Sources for these seeds can be found through these agencies.

Get Necessary Permits and Variances

• Check with your local government for any ordinances in your area that may prohibit your growing prairie grasses because some still consider them to be weeds. If there are such ordinances, you may be able to apply for variances that will allow you to grow them. Make sure you apply for these permits well before planting season as it may take a few months to go through all the red tape involved.

Work to Establish Healthy Plants

• Treat the seeds prior to planting, and perform all the chores to maintain the prairie plantings for the first three years until the prairie is healthy and established. These instructions will be detailed in your university extension publication on prairie grasses. This maintenance will likely involve weeding to keep the weeds from killing the plants, as well as possibly mowing the prairie grass two or three times a year and burning off the weeds. Make sure to get all permits for burning, and follow all recommendations from your extension cooperative. Once the prairie is established, it takes little work to maintain it.