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Methods of Installation For Prairie Wildflowers

Fall or Spring seeding. Fall seeding is preferred for some forbs.

Prepare beds and plant small areas same as garden wildflowers A firm seedbed and good soil / seed contact is a must!

Grass herbicides on Forb plantings only Water in periods of drought the first year. Avoid over watering.

Mowing (4-6") or hand weeding several times during the first year will control weeds in grass / forb plantings. Plots may take up to seven years to develop

Rates vary from 4-10 lbs per acre for forb plantings to 10-12 lbs per acre for forb / grass plantings Rates should achieve 15-20 live seeds per square foot.

Mixes for forb flowering emphasis should not contain over 20-30% grass.

Mowing in the late Fall or Spring Burning (where permitted) is recommended after 3- 4 years.

Wildflower information provided by Ricky Kemery, former graduate student and Dr. Michael N. Dana, Professor of Horticulture and Extension Urban Horticulture Specialist.

Go to Prairie Plants Home Page

Go to Prairie Plant Source List

Go to Prairie Plants for Indiana List

 

 

Last updated: 23 March 2006
Questions about this site should be sent to homehort@purdue.edu.

The URL for this page is http://www.hort.purdue.edu/ext/wildflower_techniques.html