In DeKalb, Illinois, landowner Mike F. is taking a hands-on approach to sustainability. On his 5.5-acre property — where a newly built, solar-powered home now stands — he’s setting out to transform what was once an old hay field and manicured lawn into a thriving native grassland.
To make that transition successful, Mike turned to Nick Fuller at Natural Communities for expert advice on seed selection, site preparation, and long-term management. What followed was a deep conversation about restoration planning, prairie ecology, and practical steps for turning mowed ground into functioning habitat.
Laying the Groundwork: From Solar Energy to Native Plants
Mike’s sustainability journey began with a modern rebuild — tearing down an older house and replacing it with one designed for the future: solar panels, electric appliances, and heat pumps. Now, he’s expanding that vision beyond the walls of his home and into the soil itself.
“Our goal is to reduce mowing and incorporate native grasses into as much of the property as possible,” Mike said during the consultation.
Nick Fuller noted that this type of project is becoming increasingly common among property owners who want to align renewable energy and land stewardship.
“We’re seeing a lot of interest from people managing solar fields or larger rural lots — it’s all part of the same sustainability story,” Fuller explained.
Choosing the Right Mix: Low-Profile Prairie with High Ecological Value
Mike initially expressed interest in shorter native grasses and asked about a nearby data center that converted farmland but appeared to lack wildflowers. Fuller explained that while full tallgrass prairie can reach heights of 5–7 feet, short prairie mixes — like a Short Native Grass and Wildflower Mix — stay around 3–4 feet tall and feature species like little bluestem and sideoats grama.
“Shorter doesn’t mean less diverse,” Fuller said. “Earlier-blooming flowers tend to be shorter, while later bloomers grow taller — so you can have color, structure, and balance without losing that neat appearance.”
The mix he recommended features a strong grass base with interspersed native forbs for pollinators. Sideoats, Fuller noted, can serve as a quick-growing “nurse crop” that helps stabilize soil and fades as other natives establish.
Pollinator Support: Beyond Milkweed
Mike already had milkweed on his property and wanted to enhance habitat for monarchs. Fuller emphasized that while milkweed is essential for larvae, adult monarchs rely on continuous nectar sources from spring through fall.
A short prairie mix can include a wide range of blooms — from whorled milkweed and butterfly milkweed to purple coneflower and yellow coneflower — providing nectar throughout the monarch’s multi-generational migration.
“Pollinator health depends on continuity,” Fuller explained. “We want early bloomers in May, color through July, and nectar into fall — that’s what sustains the entire life cycle.”
Preparing the Site: The Hardest Work for the Best Results
Much of the consultation focused on site preparation — the single most important factor in native plant establishment. Flanigan plans to tackle the project in two phases:
- A smaller area around the home to seed this fall or winter.
- The larger, 2.5-acre hay field next year.
Fuller explained that perennial weeds and invasive species in hay fields, such as Canada thistle and tall goldenrod, make conversion challenging. “These are tough systems,” he said. “You’re competing with deep-rooted perennials, so the site needs to be truly clean before seeding — that’s the difference between frustration and success.”
Herbicide and Organic Options
When it comes to preparing a site for native plants, Nick emphasized that there’s no single correct method — what matters most is that the site is properly prepared. Preparation is the foundation of success, and the method should match each landowner’s goals, abilities, and expectations. One must also approach the site with its scale in mind and pair the correct preparation method accordingly.
There are multiple effective ways to get a site ready for seeding or planting — from mechanical approaches like mowing and tilling, to organic options such as solarization or sheet mulching. Some landowners choose to incorporate limited herbicide use to manage difficult perennial weeds, while others rely on non-chemical methods that take more time and patience.
“Whatever site preparation method works for the customer is what will provide a successful outcome,” Fuller said. “The key is to start with a clean site so native plants can establish and thrive.”
When herbicide is used, Fuller encourages restraint and balance — applying it only where necessary and pairing it with native plant augmentation to outcompete weeds and minimize chemical use over time. The long-term goal, he explained, is always to reduce herbicide dependence by establishing a resilient native community that naturally suppresses weeds and stabilizes the soil.
Timing and Seeding Strategy
Once the site is prepared, Fuller advised dormant seeding in late fall or winter, allowing natural freeze-thaw cycles to stratify the seed. Grasses can be seeded anytime with moisture, but most native wildflowers require this cold-moist period for germination.
He also emphasized mowing during the first year — keeping growth between 8 and 24 inches — to prevent annual weeds from reseeding while giving native seedlings light.
By the second year, biennials like black-eyed Susan may begin to bloom, and by the third year, spot mowing or selective cutting should replace full-site mowing. Fuller recommended the Iowa Native Seedling Guide for identifying seedlings and distinguishing natives from weeds.
Starting Small, Thinking Big
Flanigan plans to start with a smaller area around his home this fall to gain experience before taking on the larger hay field in 2026. Fuller praised this approach: “Start small, learn your site, and scale up — that’s how you set yourself up for long-term success.”
Mike also expressed interest in applying for Natural Communities’ Stewardship Circle to receive a discount on seed, as well as volunteering with local forest preserves to gain field experience — next steps that align perfectly with his stewardship goals.
Partnerships That Grow More Than Plants
Projects like this highlight the powerful ripple effect of collaboration — where local landowners, restoration experts, and community partners come together to rebuild the native landscapes that once defined Illinois.
As native landscaping takes root across Chicago and beyond, partnerships like these show how collaboration drives ecological change — from worker-owned co-ops to wholesale growers, everyone plays a part in restoring the land.
Start Your Own Restoration Journey
Whether you’re converting a lawn, starting a restoration business, or expanding your project portfolio, expert guidance makes all the difference.
👉 Schedule a free consultation with Nick Fuller at Natural Communities to talk through your goals, plant selection, and sourcing strategies.
Together, we can bring more prairies back to the places people call home.