NATIVE PRAIRIE

In 2011, we converted 6 acres of a field, previously planted in corn or alfalfa, into a native tall-grass prairie. In addition we also planted 3.5 acres of trees adjacent to the prairie to diversify the wildlife habitat found on the property. It took a few years, but the prairie plants took off. It was well worth the wait. Today, flowers and grasses flourish throughout the season, providing food for thousands of pollinators. A person can literally stand next to the prairie while the bergamot is in bloom and listen and feel the hum from all the bumblebees.

We enjoy the prairie so much that the remaining 6 acres of agriculture field are scheduled to be planted to pollinator habitat in the spring of 2018.

Flowers Include:

Wild Bergamot
Butterfly Weed
Rattlesnake Master
Wild Lupine
Prairie Blazingstar
Ohio Spiderwort
Smooth Penstemon
Purple Prairie Clover
Black Eyed Susan
Dotted Mint
Showy Goldenrod
Common Milkweed
False White Indigo

Grasses Include:

Big Bluestem
Little Bluestem
Indian Grass
Switchgrass
Prairie Dropseed

The prairie offers many local benefits by increasing water infiltration, reducing erosion, providing nesting habitat for birds and creating cover for all types of wildlife.

The prairie also ensures our local pollinator population is healthy, eliminating our dependency on honeybees. We also put up blue orchard mason bee homes every year to promote the growth of their local population.

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