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Coastal Prairie
PlantGrowers’
handbook
Jaime González, Community Education Manager, Katy Prairie ConservancyLarry Allain, US Geological Survey, National Wetlands Research CenterTom Solomon, Texas Master Naturalist - Galveston Bay Chapter
With
Flo Hannah, Houston Audubon
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A Coastal Prairie Partnership Publication
|
Volume No. 1 in a series
www.coastalprairiepartnership.org
A multimedia guide to selecting and growing wildflowers and grassesnative to the critically imperiled Coastal Prairie ecosystem of Texas & Louisiana
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Table of contents
Introduction
Page
Why Grow Coastal Prairie Natives?
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3Aren’t These Plants Just Weeds?
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4
Chapter 1: It Begins with Seeds
Where to Find Seeds
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5Join a Seed Collecting Trip
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6When to Collect Seeds
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6A Seed Collectors’ Calendar
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7Seed Gallery and Seed Storage
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8
Chapter 2: Propagating Plants
Sowing Seeds
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9Seedling Gallery
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10Germination Rates
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11Dividing & Bumping Up
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12What to Expect - From Seed to Plant
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13Conservative Species
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Chapter 3: Planting Seedlings
A Planting Protocol
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Chapter 4: Using Seed Balls
What Are Seed Balls?
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16When & Where to Use Seed Balls
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16
Acknowledgements and Resources
Photo credits
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17Resources
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The Coastal Prairie Partnership
Mission and Work
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Videos
This handbook has been digitally enhanced. In addition to thewords and pictures found inside, there are also links to videoclips that will help to illustrate concepts. Each time you seethe video icon to the left simply double-click on the link tostart the video segment for that section.
3fig 2. Pickerelweed(
Pontederia cordata
)
We often think of prairies as dryplaces but in some areas 30-40% of prairies are wetlands.Pickerelweed is just one indicator plant found inprairie wetlands
Introduction
Why Grow Coastal PrairieNatives?
The Coastal Prairie ecosystem of Texas and Louisiana is one of the mostimperiledecosystems in the United States.This unique mosaic of grassy uplands, depressional wetlands, oakmottes, and forested rivers was once a sprawling wilderness thatblanketed 9 million acres across twostates - an area the size of Delaware,Connecticut, and New Jerseycombined. Since European settlement,agricultural conversion, urbanization,the introduction of exotic species, andother changes have reduced the coastalprairie to 1% of its original coverage.Restoration and maintenance of our remaining prairies requires robustnative plant propagation and planting programs. Volunteer plant growerscan play a role in this restorative process by growing plants at home anddonating them to a local prairie conservation institution or schoolyardhabitat initiative.Growing native plants can also be agreat way of connecting with your localenvironment and cultural history.Coastal Prairie plants have been in ourarea for many thousands of years andhave been used by birds, insects,mammals, native people, and earlysettlers for food, medicine, and shelter.By nurturing natives, you’ll start tolearn the stories that each of theseamazing plants has to tell, enjoy themini-dramas of insects and otherwildlife at home in this habitat, andappreciate the seasonal splashes of colorthat they will provide to your patch of our good Earth.Good luck and happy growing,Jaime GonzálezCoastal Prairie Partnership
December 2009
Video 1
Introduction
J a i m e G o n z á l e z
Connections
Historical Extentof Coastal PrairieEcosystem
fig 1. Green Treefrog(
Hyla cinerea
)
Green Treefrogsare reminders thatwetlands are a vital part of ourCoastal Prairies. Restorationsshould include small depressions if possible to allow for theestablishment of wetland plants andthe animals they attract.
C a r o l y n F a n n o n C a r o l y n F a n n o n
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