Native Plants
![](../_images/smarty_plants.gif)
Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
![](../_images/mr_smarty_plants_logo_web_200w.jpg)
rate this answer
![](../_images/star_43.gif)
Wednesday - September 15, 2010
From: Arlington, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Meadow Gardens, Compost and Mulch, Planting, Seeds and Seeding, Turf, Wildflowers
Title: How to make a lawn into a prairie in Arlington, Texas
Answered by: Marilyn Kircus
QUESTION:
I am removing lawn grasses in order to start a native prairie meadow. After grass removal, I'll put down 1/2" of compost. I will broadcast wildflower seeds on the compost. If I mulch after broadcasting, will that inhibit germination and growth?ANSWER:
Native grasses and flowers need light to germinate. They will do best if you remove your grass, then water the ground well and let whatever wants to sprout, sprout. Then lightly hoe – right at the ground line or till VERY lightly (1"), so you don’t bring more dormant seeds to the surface. You may need little or no compost. Work it in lightly so the seeds won’t be in straight compost. Rake very lightly after seeding. You should still be able to see some seeds. Do not add mulch. It will block the light and hold too much water around the plants.
Native American Seed has an article on how to prepare your soil. If you can do it, they suggest setting your lawn mower so low that it will scrape the soil. I cleared a little bed for just wildflowers in the midst of a grassy field by using a string trimmer the same way. I ended with bare soil and then raked it, added the seeds, lightly raked, and lightly watered in. I also keep the area moist between rains until the flowers had sprouted. But getting the area completely clear of vegetation is key to success
Aggie Horticulture has an excellent article with pictures on how to prepare your soil. I’m not sure what kind of soil you have, but suspect it is clay. Instead of compost, or in addition to very little compost, you might want to add decomposed granite (which is recommended for the Central Texas clay soils) or consult a nursery on a soil amendment to make your soil drain better. But if you already know your soil is draining well, you may only need to prepare the soil and add no amendments. Wildflowers and grasses are designed to grow in fairly dry places in bright sun.
And one little tip not covered by your question. Mix your seed with damp soil and then broadcast it to get a more even coverage. Lightly rake the seeds in. Some seed should still be visible. Water the seeds in very carefully so you don't wash the seeds out of some locations and pile them up in other places. Water whenever the soil is dry between rains.
I’m not sure if you plan to plant a meadow or a wildflower garden. A meadow is a mix of grasses and wildflowers. Having grass as part of your mix will help keep the weeds from sprouting in your garden and give wonderful movement. But you only need to change your mix to one of both grasses and flowers to get the prairie. Preparation of the soil is the same. Nativie American Seed has a seed mix for a pocket prairie.
If you are interested in learning more about growing prairies, you might visit the Native Prairies of Texas Association’s web page. In the section “Manage”, you will find information on preparing and maintaining a little prairie.
For further reading you may like to check out the following:
Making a Prairie Garden. This is information for Ohio but the preparation would be the same.
Designing and Planting Your Native Garden by Neil Diboll
Native Texas Plants: Landscaping Region by Region by Sally and Andy Wasowski. I don’t currently have access to this book but think she has a chapter on gardening with Native Grasses. Your local library should have it or be able to get it for you.
Prairie-Style Gardens: Capturing the Essence of the American Prairie Wherever You Live by Lynn Steiner. This is a new book but the review I read made me want to own it.
More Meadow Gardens Questions
Wildflower field for sewage leach field from Olga Washington
August 01, 2012 - I am interested in planting a large native wildflower field at a resort in the San Juan Islands in Washington State. It would be over a sewage leach field for many cabins and bathrooms. Are there any ...
view the full question and answer
Removing St. Augustine, replacing with native plants
October 06, 2007 - Hello Mr. Smarty Plants, always excited to talk to the Green Guru himself. I've recently purchased a house in South Austin and am interested in establishing a small, 500+ sq ft, prairie grass and wi...
view the full question and answer
Wildflowers for floodplain near Denton, TX
March 22, 2015 - Hello, I am a member of my HOA board and am researching the possibility of filling in our floodplains with wildflowers. Currently the floodplains are grass only and span a few acres.
Our goal is to t...
view the full question and answer
Wildflower garden for a drain field in Olivet MI
June 27, 2010 - I have a large area that is currently lawn over a drain field. I would like to turn this area into a wild flower garden. Will the wild flower roots, etc. cause any concerns or damages to a drain fie...
view the full question and answer
wildflowers with interesting seed heads for winter interest
January 09, 2015 - I am looking to establish a wildflower meadow this year, and I want to include wildflowers that have interesting seed heads for winter interest. What would be your recommendation?
Thanks!
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |