Johnson County
Pocket Prairie Program
The Johnson County Pocket Prairie Program provides plants, training, information, and technical assistance to guide participants in adding high-value native plants to their yards, creating a 10' by 10' pocket prairie. These native plantings provide critical pollinator habitat for bees, butterflies and more, and also improve soil health. Healthy soil helps infiltrate more rainfall and keep pollutants out of our creeks and streams.
The Pocket Prairie Program is a collaboration between Johnson County and the Master Gardeners of Johnson County. The program is administered by the Johnson County Planning, Development and Sustainability Department. Johnson County Master Gardeners provides education and technical assistance throughout the process, and works with Johnson County to select, acquire, and distribute plants. A predefined set of plants is free to program participants.
Why a Pocket Prairie Program?
Oh the benefits! Adding native plants to your yard or landscape is an excellent way to improve your soil health. The root systems of these plants range from 5-15' deep, helping create pore spaces for movement of air, water, and organisms. They also provide a continuous source of organic matter, with the above-ground plant mass and a portion of the underground root mass dying back every season. This organic matter is key for the soil functions of soaking up and holding water, and supporting the critical universe of organisms that reside there!
Our native plants also provide so many other benefits, including providing critical food and habitat for insects, birds, and other wildlife. Even small additions (like pocket prairies!) can have positive impacts. You can read about the heartening growing movement of gardening for pollinators in support of our declining insect populations in this recently published article by Vox.
If you are interested in finding tree and plant species that provide insects and wildlife the biggest bang for the buck, you can search the Audubon native plant database for specific to your zip code.
Program Participation
The following requirements apply for participation in the Pocket Prairie Program:
- Must be a landowner in the unincorporated area of Johnson County.
- Must provide a map of the property and where the pocket prairie will be located.
- Must commit to 3 years of maintenance (sleep, creep, and leap!) to establish the pocket prairie.
- Must have suitable site conditions.
The pocket prairie is approximately 100 square feet of turf converted to native species. Each pocket will have 100 plants in total, each a different mix of 10 forbs and grasses. There are a few native pocket options.
- Summer Sun - Full Sun Pocket: requires 6 hours or more of direct sunlight.
- Speckled Shade - Full/Part Sun Pocket: requires 3-6 hours of direct sunlight.
- Drizzle Dazzle - Part Sun/Wet Pocket: requires 3-6 hours of direct sunlight.
Program Process
- Apply for participation in the program.
- Participate in the Pocket Prairie Program Workshop (August 20th, 6:30-8:00, Iowa City Public Library, Meeting Room A).
- To request a recording of the workshop presentation, email [email protected].
- Plan your garden location and shape.
- Prepare your site. Site preparation is key, and must be completed no later than October 1 to remain in the program.
- Plant your pocket prairie.
- Monitor and maintain your plot. If you have concerns during this time, you will have access to experts with the Master Gardeners.
PDF of August Workshop Presentation
Prepare, Plant, and Maintain Your Plot
Additional Resources from Johnson County Master Gardeners
Ready to Get Started?
Apply to the Pocket Prairie Program
Johnson County Soil Health Main Page
