Pocket Prairie Considerations

Preparation

You will need to remove existing vegetation from your proposed plot, as your plot should be free of grass and weeds before planting.  There are several ways to do this, including:

  • Smother.  Cover the area for at least 6-8 weeks with plastic, cardboard, or newspaper.  Once your vegetation is killed off, you can continue to leave your selected material over your bed until spring, or spread several inches of mulch over the bare soil to prevent weed seed exposure to sun. 
  • Apply a non-selective herbicide.  Choose an appropriate product and follow the directions on the label carefully. 
  • Mechanical removal.  You can cut the sod into parallel strips about 1-foot wide using an edger or sharp spade. Use your spade to pry up the leading edge, and then pushing it under the sod cut and slice the grass roots parallel to the cut.  Pull up in sections using a spade or pitchfork, rolling up the strips as you go.  Try to shake loose as much dirt as possible off of the removed sod to retain in your planting plot.  Sod cutters can also be used to greatly ease sod removal. 
Design
  • Your pocket prairie can be any shape you want, as long as all Pocket Prairie Program plants are planted together in one area, covering approximately 100 square feet. 
  • You can incorporate hardscape features such as stepping stones, rocks, and bird baths (not included in the 100 square feet of planting area). 
  • Space your grasses 1 to 2 feet apart. 
  • Space your flowering plants 1-foot apart.  Planting in groups of three makes the colors of the blooms really pop.
  • Grass sets the scene!  Locate your grasses first, then decide the placement of your other plants. 
Sunlight
  • As you consider different possible plot conditions, pay attention to the hours of sunlight and the timing of that direct sunlight. 
  • Full sun plant mixes require at least 6 hours of direct sunlight. 
  • Part sun plant mixes require 3-6 hours of direct sunlight, but need protection from intense mid-day sun. 
Border
  • Defining your border can add aesthetic appeal to your pocket prairie, and can also help aid in keeping the weeds and unwanted grass out. 
  • There are many border options including turf, garden, natural, fence, mulch, brick/stone pavers, stone, plastic edging. 
Critters

While the selected plants (and most native plants, in general) are deer resistant, no plant is deer proof!  Both rabbits and deer may be interested in your new plantings.  You can consider protecting young, tender plants with:

  • Chicken wire 24 inches high for rabbits. 
  • Deer fence (deer can jump over anything under 8' high!). 
  • There are organic, natural (e.g. botanical oils, spices, eggs, garlic etc.) deer and rabbit repellent sprays available on the market.  If you opt for a spray, pay attention to the recommended frequency of spraying, and keep in mind that spraying will also be needed after rain events. 
  • As your plants become heartier they should be less desirable to critters, but never off limits! 
Maintenance
  • Check it often!  Attack the weeds as they come up.  A sea of weeds can make identifying your young plants difficult. 
  • It is a good idea to place a 2-inch layer of mulch (leave, straw, wood chips) after your prairie plugs are planted to help suppress weeds and retain moisture. 
  • The first couple of years will require regular weed maintenance. 
  • Make sure you have access to water, in case there are long dry periods during plant establishment. 
  • SLEEP, CREEP, LEAP!  After the first few years, the maintenance burden should be greatly reduced as the natives grow and spread and out-compete other plants and weeds.