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Diana Foss, Texas Parks Urban Wildlife Biologist, shares her knowledge of developing schoolyard prairies at the 2010 State of the Prairie Conference held in Houston, Texas on November 4, 2010.
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Establishing & Maintaining a Schoolyard Prairie
Photos copyright Chris LaChance, WaterSmart ProgramGulf Muhly Photo: Carolyn Fannon
Successful Projects…Choose species you’d naturally find
in our local prairies; GOAL – native local flora & fauna
Successful Projects…Incorporate the prairie into school’s
daily lessons, TEKS/TAKS
Successful Projects…PLAN AHEAD!! Who is your team? Are they committed to this long-term?! What happens if the lead teacher leaves – have a succession plan.
! Who will do the site preparation? District? You?! Who will plant? When? What?! Where will you get the plant material / seed?
! Who will monitor prairie regularly & alert to a problem?! Who will do the regular maintenance per month?! Who will attend regularly scheduled work days? ! When will work days occur?
!Weekday during school hours? Weekend? After school? ! Will you use herbicides or not? If not, how will remove weeds?! Who will do the weed-eating / mowing?! How will you water the site if there’s no rain? ! How will you obtain seed / plant material for future?
Successful Projects…Consider Future
Expectations.
Decide the height and “look” your team is
comfortable with as the prairie matures. Plan ahead to achieve that
goal.
Grasses only represent 1/3 of your prairie,Forbs (wildflowers) are huge component for beauty
and function, wildlife needs
GOAL - variety of bloom times, shapes, colors.
Successful Project: EIH WaterSmart Pocket PrairieBEFORE
Site Prep – Sod removed, sand layer addedMay 2007
Sod removal:• sod cutter / backhoe• solarization• dig repeatedly• herbicide
Site Prep – Topsoil added
Site Prep – Pathway defined
Site Prep – Leveling planting area
Ready for planting
Raised Pathway – Crushed concrete base
Packed pathway – Decomposed granite gravel surface
Planting Arrangement- Containerized plants
Planting – start from inside
Top Layer – Add mulch!
Ready for Seed Planting
Mix seed with fine mulch or sand
Spread the seed! Plant native seed, supplement with wild collected seed
Walk over area carefully to ensure seed – soil contact. Don’t bury seed
October 2007
March 2008
April 2008
May 2008 Prairies Need SUN!
June 2009
Remove woody species as they appear
October 2009
October 2010
October 2010
MaintenanceFirst Season:Monitor regularly – weekly or once/monthKnow your plants – both natives & undesirablesRemove undesirables before they produce seedWater to establish deep root systems
Monitor regularly, know your plants(notebook, digital scrapbook, powerpoint)
Recognize seedlings when they come upWater gently, don’t let soil dry out completely once sprouts appearWater until seedlings get established, as needed
Adult volunteers—Parents, Master Gardeners, Master Naturalists, Business Partners/Community volunteers
Schedule regular workdaysMake sure all volunteers can recognize desired plants!
Late Winter Weed-eat or Mow once
(Act like bison) Leave 4-8 in. high stubble Prescribed burn Don’t fertilize
Rake up and remove thatch
Compost trimmings or
use as mulch around the garden
‘Weed Dragon’ in usewww.weeddragon.com
Minimize pathways - Paths allow access, but also can introduce weedsEliminate undesirables regularly, don’t let them become overwhelming
Second season and beyond• Water during drought• Weed regularly
Over-seed in late fall 2nd Year & beyond
Involve your Students!
Lifetime Learning…Enjoy your efforts!
RESOURCESNative American Seed800-728-4043www.seedsource.com
Weed Dragon – www.weeddragon.com
Coastal Prairie Partnership• Project Blazingstar• Coastal Prairie Plant Grower’s Handbook
www.coastalprairiepartnership.org
Native Plant Society, Houston chapter• Native plant rescues• Seed/plant swaps
Texas Master Naturalists – native plant propagation projects
• Gulf Coast chapter• Galveston chapter• Coastal Prairie chapter• Heartwood chapter
Photo: Lan Shen, Project Blaziingstar
Chris LaChanceWaterSmart Program CoordinatorTexas Sea Grant / Texas AgriLife Extension Service 281-218-0721 [email protected]
RESOURCE PEOPLEDiana FossUrban Wildlife Biologist, Texas Parks and Wildlife Dept.281-456-7029 ext. [email protected]
Sheila BrownHabitat Curriculum SpecialistEnvironmental Institute of HoustonUniversity of Houston – Clear Lake [email protected]
Ron JonesWildlife Biologist, U. S. Fish and Wildlife [email protected]
