Seeding Native Landscapes

Establish native plants from seed for beautiful, low maintenance landscapes that provide a multitude of benefits for neighborhoods, acreages, businesses, parks, trails, and urban settings.

Native plantings are beautiful additions to any urban landscape. Once established, native landscapes are low maintenance areas that provide great habitat for insects and birds adapted to Iowa.

Native plantings are also good for the environment. Their root architecture increases soil organic matter, builds soil quality, and helps retain and infiltrate stormwater.

Incorporating native plants can be as easy as planting young plants into landscaped areas. With additional work, larger plantings can be established through seedings. Adding a mowed turf grass border around native landscaping in urban settings gains wider acceptance of the new look.

What to Choose

It is important to choose high quality seed mixes native to Iowa. Numerous Iowa seed producers sell high quality native mixes that match a variety of site conditions and preferences. One aspect of native landscaping some people find unappealing is an uneven appearance, with some species reaching six to eight feet tall. Some nurseries offer seed mixes featuring lower growing native species (4 ft. or less) with a more uniform appearance. This might be more suitable for urban settings.

The Establishment Process

During establishment, the native landscaping site can look weedy or unkempt, especially if it is not properly managed. During the first two growing seasons, annual weeds can dominate native plant seedings. People often become frustrated with how a young site looks. The best way to ensure a successful native planting is to understand the process. For example, many people become frustrated that native plants do not establish as quickly as bluegrass lawns. It takes several months before it is possible to see and identify native plant seedlings. Young native plants establish their deep (6–12 ft.) root systems before they put much energy into above ground plant growth. Once the roots are established, the plants will dominate and bloom beautifully. This may take two years or more.

Timeline

On the inside of this brochure we provide a timeline for native plantings, from seeding to establishment. This timeline applies to smaller neighborhood settings, larger acreages, or even larger corporate, campus-type settings. The timeline illustrates the steps to take and what to expect when planting a variety of native landscapes.

Management Tips

Weed Control

Weed control prior to seeding is critical. Controlling existing vegetation before planting is necessary to establish a successful seeding. Planting into established vegetation, such as turf grass, requires a chemical treatment to kill the existing vegetation. An alternative to chemical treatment is placing a weed barrier over the vegetation, such as weighted down black plastic, until the vegetation dies. 

A Firm Seedbed

A firm seedbed is very important for  good seed to soil contact necessary for seed germination. Plant seeds less  than one-quarter inch deep. Use a no-till drill or broadcast seeds after tillage and compaction of the seedbed. You will be able to see seeds on the soil surface at this depth. Consider hiring a contractor who specializes in native landscapes to prepare and seed the site. 

Establishing Native Landscapes

Any perennial plant requires time to establish from seed. It is a multi-year process to achieve the desired, expected result. Consider signing a three-year maintenance agreement with a specialist to help obtain your desired results.

Maintaining Native Landscapes

Native landscapes do not require weekly mowings like turf grass. However, annual mowing and removal of clippings is recommended. These plantings also do well with fire management. Talk with an expert about possible fire management options.

Native Landscaping Websites

• www.iowaprairienetwork.org
• www.prrcd.org/inl/index.htm
• www.prairienet.org
• www.urbanwaterquality.org

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