Planting the seeds

Directions: Store the seed packet in a cool, dry, dark place for the summer. To plant your prairie seed, find or clear a small space (up to 10x10 feet depending how lightly you spread it) with bare soil. The area should have at least partial sun, and full sun if possible. Most of the species prefer well-drained soils. In fall or winter, spread the seed onto the soil. Walk over the area to press the seed into the soil. Many prairie species spend time building deep root systems before they show above ground, so be patient. You may see few or no plants the first year, and some plants may take two or more years to show above ground.

Species & Source Information

Mixes include a diverse range of more than 30 prairie flowers and grasses native to the Loess Hills region of western Iowa and are well-adapted to the local climate and soils. Please note that every packet will not necessarily have all the species, and not every species will grow on every site. Packets also contain some chaff, as not all species were cleaned thoroughly. 

For the seed packets from 2020, we have two varieties. One is a prairie mix for sunny areas, and the other is savanna/woodland mix for partial- to-full-shade areas. This spreadsheet has separate tabs with information about species and where the seed was sourced.