This is the second year of my one acre prairie restoration project I have been working on in my yard. Last year’s step one was to cut down weeds and then break the soil to plant a Minnesota blend of prairie grass and wild flowers. This year will involve hand weeding and removing any noxious weeds (like ragweed and Canadian thistle) and allowing the grasses and wild flowers to gain a hold on the land.

So far I have noticed 4-5 different varieties of grasses along with some annual flowers that have sprouted. I am expecting some perennials and bi-annuals to begin showing up this fall for next year’s flowering.

I am expecting the garden to start maturing in 3-5 years.

Already I have noticed more birds and butterflies in the area along with a number of rabbits and critters to take advantage of the tall cover.

This fall I will add some small berry and honey suckle bushes to attract even more wildlife.

Below are a few pictures from my new prairie garden.

7/2/2019 Wild Yarrow

7/2/2019 Black Eyed Susan

7/2/2019 Native Grasses

7/2/2019 Foxtail

7/2/2019 Switchgrass

7/2/2019 Foxtail