Restoring Prairie (Champaign, Urbana: work, property, subdivision)

[runninfiend]

Anyone here knowledgeable about prairie restoration?

I'm looking to put a more native prairie in about a 20 acre area that is now brome grass/garlic mustard. I'm not exactly sure if plowing will be sufficient considering the root systems of brome.

Also looking for good places to buy enough seed, etc. in central IL.

Anyone have experience?

[tcs1366]

I dont think plowing it under will work, from what i've heard, that just sort of "stirs up the seeds".

that mustard is a pain.

Is this your personal property? I've heard "burns" are pretty good at getting rid of invasives, but they have to be done every 3-5 yrs or so until you get the weeds under control.

I've done a bit of research as in our subdivision, we have a small wet lands area that need to be maintained.

Obviously there are specialists that handle this kind of restoration .... but its expensive.

I'd do a "google" on Prairie Restoration.

is there a forum in here for gardening or the type.... that may be more helpful.

You could also do a search on "Bulk prairie seeds"
Check with your county too, they may have a department that may be able to point you in the right direction.

I know I have some info from DuPage county ... but it's also from companies who want to be hired. IN my village, we have a pretty good "Nature Center" and the guy who runs it has been very informative.

Good luck -- it's a long road a head, but will be so worth it when you are done.

[CarolL]

Have you checked with your local USDA office or the state highway dept? As I recall, there are prairie lands along I-88 that I assume are managed by the state. I believe the Izaak Walton League used to manage a virgin prairie area in the south suburbs; that organization might be able to help, too. Also, the Audobon Society.

[Paxtonian]

There's a crazy Australian around Champaign-Urbana who is an expert in this. Contact WEFT-FM 90.1 in Champaign and they can give you contact information, he has a program on that station.

[Tex?Il?]

I've worked for companies that do prairie restoration. I'm not familiar with places so much in central Illinois.

Lets see . . . in the South suburbs there are companies like JFNew. I used to know a lot more about the companies involved. But I know more about companies based around the far north suburbs in Lake County. These were consulting companies, they bought seed too.

Burning can be good. Better in the spring, when there aren't as many seedheads on the weeds. If you do it in the fall, that might allow germination.

Once you get it started, mowing might be beneficial because a lot of annual weeds come up way quicker than the good prairie plants.

What else . . . Herbiciding, as long as its done judiciously and carefully also plays a part in restoration, but natural restoration consulting companies tend to overdo it a little.

Burning is probably best to get started, do it the early spring before things green up.

Hope this helps.

[runninfiend]

Great suggestions, thanks. The crazy Aussie sounds interesting.

[Paxtonian]

The Prairie Monk - Restoring Illinois prairies since 1969

[Paxtonian]

Contact information for "The Prairie Monk": davmonk@gmail.com .

[runninfiend]

I'm going to contact this guy. I see their station is available online, will have to check it out this weekend.

I'll let you know how the prairie goes.

[tcs1366]

good luck runninfiend -- I'll be interested, and do take some before and after pics.