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Establishing & Maintaining a Schoolyard Prairie
Photos copyright Chris LaChance, WaterSmart ProgramGulf Muhly Photo: Carolyn Fannon
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Successful Projects…Choose species you’d naturally find
in our local prairies; GOAL – native local flora & fauna
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Successful Projects…Incorporate the prairie into school’s
daily lessons, TEKS/TAKS
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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?
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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.
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Grasses only represent 1/3 of your prairie,Forbs (wildflowers) are huge component for beauty
and function, wildlife needs
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GOAL - variety of bloom times, shapes, colors.
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Successful Project: EIH WaterSmart Pocket PrairieBEFORE
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Site Prep – Sod removed, sand layer addedMay 2007
Sod removal:• sod cutter / backhoe• solarization• dig repeatedly• herbicide
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Site Prep – Topsoil added
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Site Prep – Pathway defined
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Site Prep – Leveling planting area
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Ready for planting
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Raised Pathway – Crushed concrete base
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Packed pathway – Decomposed granite gravel surface
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Planting Arrangement- Containerized plants
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Planting – start from inside
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Top Layer – Add mulch!
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Ready for Seed Planting
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Mix seed with fine mulch or sand
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Spread the seed! Plant native seed, supplement with wild collected seed
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Walk over area carefully to ensure seed – soil contact. Don’t bury seed
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October 2007
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March 2008
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April 2008
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May 2008 Prairies Need SUN!
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June 2009
Remove woody species as they appear
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October 2009
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October 2010
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October 2010
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MaintenanceFirst Season:Monitor regularly – weekly or once/monthKnow your plants – both natives & undesirablesRemove undesirables before they produce seedWater to establish deep root systems
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Monitor regularly, know your plants(notebook, digital scrapbook, powerpoint)
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Recognize seedlings when they come upWater gently, don’t let soil dry out completely once sprouts appearWater until seedlings get established, as needed
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Adult volunteers—Parents, Master Gardeners, Master Naturalists, Business Partners/Community volunteers
Schedule regular workdaysMake sure all volunteers can recognize desired plants!
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Late Winter Weed-eat or Mow once
(Act like bison) Leave 4-8 in. high stubble Prescribed burn Don’t fertilize
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Rake up and remove thatch
Compost trimmings or
use as mulch around the garden
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‘Weed Dragon’ in usewww.weeddragon.com
Minimize pathways - Paths allow access, but also can introduce weedsEliminate undesirables regularly, don’t let them become overwhelming
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Second season and beyond• Water during drought• Weed regularly
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Over-seed in late fall 2nd Year & beyond
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Involve your Students!
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Lifetime Learning…Enjoy your efforts!
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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
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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]