Nearly every week, our ecological restoration team speaks with landowners who are ready to make the switch from conventional land use to resilient, biodiverse native habitat. This recent consultation, led by our Principal Ecological Officer, Nick Fuller, is a perfect example of how a restoration project moves from idea to actionable plan.
In this case, a Midwest landowner with a background in organic lawn care wanted guidance on converting five to six acres of former row-crop farmland into a thriving prairie of native grasses and wildflowers. Below is a look at the process, the recommendations, and the early decisions that will shape this new restoration.
The Land: 10 Acres of Former Corn & Soybean Ground
The landowner’s property had been in a standard corn–soybean rotation for years. After pausing the farm lease, the soil sat fallow for a season and was disced twice. Their goal:
- Restore 5–6 acres to native prairie for pollinators
- Continue vegetable and specialty plantings on the remaining acreage
- Manage weeds organically where possible
This is a classic starting point for prairie establishment - recent row-crop land with compacted soils, weed pressure, and a mix of upland and wetter pockets.
Step 1: Setting Expectations & Offering Support
Nick began the consultation by outlining the Natural Communities restoration process, including:
- A 25% discount on seed for Stewardship Circle partners
- Follow-up consultations for customers who order seed
- Help reviewing aerial maps and tailoring seed mixes to the site
With the landowner’s 31 years of organic lawn experience, Nick emphasized that many of those skills like mowing, weed ID, soil observation translate well to establishing native habitat.
Step 2: Site Prep — The Key to Prairie Success
Because the site has already been tilled and is sitting clean, the timing is excellent. Nick recommended:
✔ Seed in Winter (Now–March)
Winter dormant seeding provides the cold, moist stratification that native wildflowers and sedges require. Freeze–thaw cycles help pull seed into the soil without tilling.
✔ Consider One More Discing
A pass before seeding helps break up perennial weed roots and improves seed-to-soil contact.
✔ Expect 1–2 Years of Mowing
Mowing is the #1 key to successful establishment. Nick recommended:
- Mow monthly in the first season
- Keep vegetation at 12–24 inches, then cut back to 10 inches
- Prevent weeds from producing seed heads
The landowner’s zero-turn mower can work for this, though heavy vegetation may require more frequent mowing to avoid clogging.
Step 3: Identifying Problematic Weeds & Invasives
Nick encouraged a walk-through to map out:
- Perennial weeds (teasel, thistles, etc.)
- Neighboring invasive sources
- Wet areas that may host reed canary grass or common reed
For perennial weeds with taproots, Nick shared organic techniques like slicing the taproot below the crown.
For wet-prairie invasives such as reed canary grass, Nick recommended “warrior sedges” including:
These sedges form dense sods that help block out aggressive species.
Step 4: Choosing the Right Seed Mix
The property’s upland soils fall into the mesic prairie category ideal for either a Tall Grass Prairie mix or a Short Grass Prairie mix.
Nick recommended beginning with the Mesic Short Grass Prairie Mix, which:
- Reaches 3–4 feet (not 6–8 like tallgrass)
- Shows wildflowers more prominently
- Includes ~30 species for season-long bloom
- Costs approx. $700–$1,000 per acre
If needed, budget can be adjusted by increasing the grass ratio, since forb seed is more expensive.
Nick also discussed adding wood betony (Pedicularis canadensis), a hemiparasitic plant that helps regulate overly dominant grasses, an advanced technique used by many restoration ecologists.
Step 5: The Wet Pocket — A Small but Important Zone
The landowner has a 10,000–12,000 sq ft low spot that stays wet for up to two weeks after rain. Nick classified this as wet prairie, which requires different species than the uplands.
Options included:
- Using 1,000 sq ft wet-prairie packets
- Blending with mesic mixes
- Supplementing with native cover crops for cost flexibility
Nick requested a Google Maps pin and photos of this area so he can review historic aerials and long-term hydrology before finalizing recommendations.
Step 6: Phasing the Project
To keep the project manageable, Nick recommended seeding in phases, such as:
- 2–3 acres in Year 1
- 2–3 more acres once weed management is under control
This approach balances workload, budget, and the landowner’s long-term goals.
Long-Term Outlook: Flywheel Ecology
Nick emphasized that restoration, especially in wet areas with invasive species, can take time. In extreme cases, rebuilding a wet prairie over reed canary grass can take up to 10 years.
But the path to success is clear:
- Seed heavily
- Manage weeds early
- Add fast-growing “sprinter” natives like Virginia wildrye
- Follow up with “marathon” species such as rhizomatous sedges
- Keep reinvesting in native seed and plant density
This compounding approach what Nick calls “flywheel ecology” creates resilient habitat that eventually outcompetes invasive species.
Thinking About Starting Your Own Restoration?
Nick and our team offer free 30-minute phone consultations to help landowners:
- Evaluate soils and site conditions
- Choose the right seed mix
- Plan phased restorations
- Understand the maintenance timeline
- Budget realistically
Book your consultation here → CONSULTATIONS
Transforming degraded land into thriving native habitat is possible, and we’re here to help every step of the way.