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  Planting    
 
Introduction
Prairie Ecosystems
Prairie Restoration
Planting a Prairie Garden
How Do You Plant?
Preparing
Selecting Plants
Planting
Growing Plants
Collecting Seeds
Preparing Seeds
Storing Seeds
Green Thumb Tips
Human Voices
Inspiration for Art
Restoration Game
Resources
Credits
Teacher Orientation
      There are three ways to start a prairie garden:
plant seedlings 
plant seeds directly into the soil 
broadcast seeds over the surface

You can try a combination of methods to see what works best for your site.

When starting a prairie garden, planting seedlings may prove to be the most effective use of time and resources. You can get seedlings from your local nursery or reputable regional plant sources. 
Seedlings
For beginner gardeners, seedlings are easier to plant and grow since seedlings have a higher rate of growing and succeeding throughout the growing season. Seedlings should be planted once the soil has warmed in the spring.

Broadcasting seeds
Planting can also be done by broadcasting seeds over the area. A few people can do this by tossing seeds to the ground while walking across the site. Several other people can walk over the site pressing the seeds into the soil. You'll have to use more seeds to make up for the ones that birds will eat.

Direct planting of seeds
Planting seeds directly into the soil can be more time consuming, but often these seeds have a better success rate. Some seeds, even if they are planted directly into the soil, may not grow the first season because air and soil temperatures and moisture content may not be suitable for sprouting. These seeds may grow the following year. 

 

   
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