Hillside Prairie
Plants that Inspired:
Foundation. Grasses were the foundation of the prairie ecosystem and those were lacking here. To remedy this situation, I collected seed from a patch of Little Bluestem growing on a similar north-facing hillside (located northeast of Diagonal, Iowa). Some plants were evident a year after seeding, and with time a nice stand has developed. The Little Blue Stem dominates the poorer soils on the slope. Where the ground is better and more level (both uphill and downhill) Indian Grass, Big Blue Stem, and Eastern Gamagrass have appeared on their own.
Prairie Grasses:
The Usual Suspects. I've made an effort to introduce some of the most well-known prairie wildflowers to the mix. These plants have all been collected in Ringgold County.
Wildflowers Added:
Complexity. A major feature of prairies is variety and complexity. Managing this plot of land as a prairie (with the occasional burn and the constant effort to control woody plants and other invaders) allows for other plants to thrive and add to the complexity. There are sufficient seed-sources in the area, and the plants seem to arrive on their own.
"Volunteer" Prairie Plants:
Maintenance. Ongoing practices that aid the prairie are necessary. These practices include well-timed mowing, controlled burns, and hand-pulling (or digging). In the early stages, tall weedy plants such as sweet clover, wild parsnip, marestail (horseweed), and giant ragweed must be controlled. These plants make it difficult for the prairie grasses to get established. Later, the biggest threat to a prairie is the inevitable invasion by trees. Cutting and/or digging out trees is important and effective. Also effective, and more dramatic, is the occasional controlled burn.