How to Plan and Maintain a Prairie Style Garden

A prairie brings to mind expanses of rolling grassland dotted with wildflowers, harkening back to a time past when much of America was still rural pastureland. Today, much of that bucolic setting is gone – replaced by modern high-rises and bustling metro stations. If you find yourself nostalgic for this bygone era, want to bring the beauty of the prairie to your garden or simply appreciate the carefree bohemian aesthetic, then consider growing a prairie-style garden. 

 

What is a Prairie Themed Garden?

Natural prairies are located in the central belt of states that make up the Great Plains and in the Midwest. Though they may not appear very interesting to the untrained eye, prairies are complex ecosystems – a varied mosaic that includes wetlands, woods, and streams. Prairie soils are rich in organic matter, providing an ideal habitat for a diverse range of birds, butterflies, and other native wildlife. Similarly, a prairie garden features native wildflowers and ornamental grasses that cover the ground in drifting masses. 

At once delicate and rustic, a prairie garden presents multifaceted layers of textures, heights and variations – the American version of the English cottage garden. Prairie gardens are often considered low maintenance because they incorporate native plants, require less irrigation, fertilizer, and pesticides than conventional gardens. They can also attract beneficial pollinators and wildlife to the garden, boosting biodiversity in your backyard. 

Plan your Prairie Garden

The ebb and flow of the four seasons, from the stark desolation of winter to the resplendent bloom of flowers in high-season, can be encapsulated in a prairie garden. The early settlers, who had to brave the fickle, harsh elements and eke out a meager living on the wind-swept prairie, knew better than anyone the isolation cruel winters entailed. But there was also a time of bloom that preceded a harvest. To emulate the look of a prairie, you will need to select plants that will flower in succession, which will produce a period of continuous bloom from spring to fall. 

Planning is crucial before starting your garden. Plot out a layout of your garden site and think about what types of plants you want to grow to create a naturalized planting landscape. For optimal results, select a site that is located in a sunny location and has good drainage. Although traditional prairies feature endless swaths of plants, you do not need a large amount of space to create a prairie themed garden. Even a couple of carefully arranged pairings of prairie-style plants can make a significant difference in your garden. You can even replace sections of your lawn with a prairie setting. 

Choose a site that is:

• Full sun with a few trees

• Does not contain weed growth or invasive plants 

• Has good drainage properties 

Planting your Prairie Garden

Below are a few simple steps you can follow to create a lovely micro-prairie in your backyard. 

1. Prepare the Site  

After you have selected a site, you should test the soil to determine the soil requirements for the growing season. Some plants prefer sandy loam while others are better suited towards dry, gravelly conditions. Soil analysis is required to determine if the soil in your is conducive to plant growth. If your soil is of subpar composition, consider Vego Garden metal raised beds, which allow you to control the soil quality and texture. To recreate the unique, diverse aesthetic of a prairie garden, look for the Cascading Raised Bed, a tiered raised garden bed designed to offer an elegant configuration for plants of varying lengths. 

2. Remove the Surrounding Area  

Because of the possibility of invasive species and increased competition, remove all grass, sod, and any existing plant debris in the area. This can be accomplished by hand, or through the use of a nonselective pesticide containing glyphosate, though some gardeners prefer organic methods. You can also suffocate the grass by applying a dark plastic sheet, tarp or layers of newspapers for at least two months before planting. If that sounds like too much work, a raised garden bed will eliminate much of the toil and guesswork associated with in-ground beds. 

3. Choose Suitable Plants 

Select plants that are compatible with the soil, shade, and sun requirements of your location. Remember to incorporate early season wildflowers and native sedges that will grow at the first advent of spring, when the last frost has ended. While starting from seed is less costly, some gardeners prefer to buy transplants if they want to establish flowers quickly. Because the selection of native plants can be limited at the local garden center or nursery, purchase online at retailers for a greater variety. 

Some species can be invasive or aggressive and should be avoided. The majority of your prairie should be grasses interspersed with long-lived perennial flowers. Contrast with willowy, fine-stemmed flowers with more robust types boasting interesting flower heads, like blazing stars, to add visual design. Lookout for colorful perennials that can attract butterflies to your garden. For a splash of color, situate wildflowers near paths and borders. 

Ornamental Grasses

• Bluestems

• Switch grasses

• Prairie Dropseed

• Rattlesnake Master 

• Pink Hair Grass

• Fountain Grass 

Perennial Flowers 

• Black-eyed Susan

• Purple Prairie Clover

• Coneflowers 

• Aster 

• Wild Lupine 

• Prairie Smoke

4. Sow your Seeds

Once you have selected your plants, you are ready to plant. Seeds are best sown in spring, but they can also be sown in late fall to late winter. Avoid July and August, as drought is common during these months. Before planting, add soil amendments and fertilizer based on the soil analysis you conducted. Scatter the seeds throughout the area and refrain from tiling the soil. Water thoroughly to increase germination rates. 

5. Caring for Your Garden

If there is no rain, water your garden once a week, as you would with your other crops. Be on the lookout for weeds, which can be pervasive during the first few years. Native pasture grasses and nettles can creep into your garden and become bothersome. They can be eliminated using a hori hori knife or an application of mulch. 

Hang birdhouses and add birdbaths to attract beneficial wildlife to your garden. Leave your plants to overwinter to provide shelter to wildlife and offer ornamental focal points. Long after the flowers have wilted, seed heads and sturdy plants, blanketed under a light frost, come to life. Many gardeners are surprised to find their gardens transformed into an unexpected winter wonderland with colorful berries and dramatic wintery silhouettes. Only start removing plant debris after temperatures consistently reach 50 degrees.