Instructions for Installing the Seed Mix from Oshtemo Fun Days

Below are instructions for installing your seed mix. For a list of species in your mix, select your type: DRY or MESIC

1. Determine the Location and Prepare the Site
1. The mix will cover approximately 100 square feet. Select a site that receives partial to full sun (at least several hours of direct sunlight during the day). Additionally, make sure to select a location that matches the seed mix type indicated on the label: either DRY or MESIC. The DRY mix should be sown on a light, well-draining soil that contains sand or gravel. The MESIC mix should be sown on loamy soils which retain moisture; in Oshtemo these would typically be at locations that formerly were forested with beech and maple. Please be aware that although top soil may have been added to your home site during construction; your subsoil might still be quite sandy and it is well-suited to support the wildflowers and grasses in the DRY mix.
2. The existing vegetation needs to be removed prior to installing the mix. The easiest method is to spray the area with a glyphosate-based herbicide(such as RoundUp) a week or two prior to seeding. The herbicide must be applied during active growth. If the planting area is currently turf, an alternate method would be to remove the sod. If you do not wish to use herbicide, one other method to prepare the seedbed is to smother the existing vegetation will plast mulch, newspapers, or cardboard. The smothering material should be left in place for at least two months during the active growing season and is best done during the late spring and summer.
3. Regardless of which method you choose, for best results, the seeding site needs to be free of vegetation and the soil has to be exposed for the seeds to germinate.


2. Installation: Sowing the Seeds
1. The seed mix should be planted in the fall or early spring. Fall is the best time to plant as the seeds will be able to overwinter and be cold-stratified(this is required by some species to break dormancy). The freeze and thaw cycle will also help work the seeds into the soil. If the sowing will be done next spring, the seed mix should be stored in the refrigerator until then.
2. Before sowing the seed, rake any dead vegetation off the site to better expose the soil. This is particulary true if the site was prepared using herbicide or smothering.
3. To make sowing easier and for the best coverage, it is recommended that the seed mix be added to a filler. Good fillers are perlite, vermiculate, sawdust, or sand. Mix the entire seed mix and approximately one gallon (four quarts) in a large container (a bucket or bag works well. Mix thoroughly).
4. After the seeds are mixed with the filler, you are now ready to plant. Broadcast the mix over your site being careful to distribute the mix evenly. For best results, divide the mix in half, and broadcast half while walking back and forth in one direction. Repeat the procedue with the second half of the mix, but make your passes perpendicular to the first run. Avoid broadcasting the seed on windy days as some of the small seeds (and the filler) can easily be blown to non-target locations.
5. A light raking of the area is recommended after the seeds are broadcast. This will help to incorporate the seeds into the soil. The raking is more critical for spring plantings.
6. Water the area once immediately after broadcasting the seeds. For seeds broadcast in the spring, it is beneficial to water the site whenever rain has not occured for over a week during the first month or two.


3. Maintenance
1. During the first two years, watering the site is beneficial if rain has not occurred in more than a week. This is particularly helpful during the late spring and early summer. After the second year, no watering is required, although you may wish to water during extreme droughts.
2. Weeding is the most important aspect of prairie/savanna establishment. In particular, weed control is critical during the first two years. Controlling weeds can be accomplished by hand weeding, mowing, or, in extreme cases, using herbicide.
1. MOWING - since this seed mix is for a small plot, mowing may not be practical. On larger plantings, mowing is generally recommended during the first year whenever plants reach 8 to 10", and the planting is cut down to 4 or 5". During the second year, mow when the planting is 12 to 18", and mow down to 8". A string trimmer could be used, but a better approach would be to simply use garden clippers to clip the tops off of any weeds once they reach 8". Be careful to only cut the weeds; you may not recognize some of the prairie species and unintentionally cut them.
2. HAND WEEDING - generally, hand weeding is not recommended during the first year. Weeding will disturb the soil and will likely disturb or destroy nearly prairie seedlings. After the first year, hand weeding is likely the best approach for a small plot. Try to remove any weeds before they set seed. Removing weeds during the second and third year are key to establishing low maintenance during subsequent years.
3. HERBICIDE - this is not recommended, as in addition to killing weeds the herbicide will also kill prairie seedlings and plants. Only use herbicide on severe infestations and be extremely careful.
3. After the third and subsequent years, maintenance should be minimal. The plot should always be checked for any invading weeds, but as the prairie planting density increases, it will become more difficult for weeds to establish. Mowing or burning should be used in the spring or fall every few years once the prairie is established. Burning is the optimal maintenance tool, but if that cannot be done, mowing down to 4 or 5" in the early spring or late fall is recommended. If mowing, removing the thatch is also beneficial.



If you have further questions, please do not hesitate to CONTACT US with your questions. Prairie species typically use most of their energy during the first two years to establish a deep, drought-resistant root system. Do not be discouraged by the small amount of above-ground growth during the first year. Your patience will be greatly rewarded in the coming years. Enjoy your new prairie and a piece of our natural heritage!