Seeding Pollinator & Butterfly Prairie Seed Mix

Butterfly Prairie Garden Seed Mix: Lavender Hyssop, butterfly weed, sky blue aster, Smooth aster, New England aster, Lanceleaf Coreopsis, Pale Purple Coneflower, purple coneflower, prairie blazing star, dense blazing star, bergamot, purple prairie clover, yellow coneflower, black eyed Susan, sweet black eyed Susan, brown eyed Susan, Ohio golden rod, stiff goldenrod, blue vervain, ironweed and Golden Alexanders.

Seeding Prairie Mix in a Small-Space Garden

1.            Site Selection

Choose a clean, sunny spot in the garden that is free of weeds, vegetation, rocks, and soil clumps.

2.            Soil Preparation

Loosen the soil to a depth of 1 to 2 inches.

3.            Seed Mixing and broadcasting (Fall Planting: September–October)

Mix the prairie seed with a carrier such as peat moss, playground sand, or sawdust at a 1:2 ratio (seed:carrier). This helps ensure even distribution and adequate coverage.

                a. Moistening the Mix

Lightly dampen the seed/carrier mixture with water and mix thoroughly to help the seeds adhere to the carrier.

b. Seeding

Hand broadcast the mixture evenly over the loosened soil. Lightly rake it into the soil to a depth of about ¼ inch.

6.            Pressing the Soil

After broadcasting the mixture, gently press the seeded area to ensure good seed-to-soil contact.

7.            Watering and Mulching

Lightly sprinkle water over the area. Mulch with clean straw, hay, shredded leaves, or husks to a depth of ½ to 1 inch.

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Maintaining Prairie Mix

•             Year 1: Weed Control

Weed management is critical during the first year. Mow or cut the prairie once a month when plants exceed 12 inches in height. Prevent weeds from reaching the flowering stage and be prepared to hand-pull persistent weeds.

•             Year 2: Spring Cleanup and Continued Weed Control

In mid-spring (mid-April to mid-May), mow residual vegetation close to the ground and remove debris. Continue hand-pulling tough weeds throughout the growing season, ensuring none reach the flowering stage.