Lessons in Prairie Restoration: Pella, IA
While I initially started my business focusing on the metro area, Iowa City, and Ames, two (almost three) years ago I moved to Pella area. I still have all my clients in those areas, but began taking prairie projects in Pella (and surrounding areas) shortly after relocating.
This particular project is a small, backyard prairie—less than an acre long, and one of the first I started working on in Pella. The woman who started it took such thoughful care of it and needed help managing some weeds that had taken hold and were stubborn to get rid of. Before any invasive species work, I conducted a survey where I found all kinds of less common native species, like Wild petunia (Ruellia humilis) and Wild senna (Senna hebecarpa)—two species I rarely find on early prairie restoration projects. I knew immediately this landowner would be an amazing partnership and this prairie would reveal many sweet surprises in the form of wildflower gems over the years to come.
Beautiful black swallowtail caterpillar near several Black Eyed Susan stems. This little guy was one of several I found this year on this prairie! It’s hard not to drop everything and watch them inch along the stem or take a snack. He was SO CUTE!
Same black swallowtail caterpillar, different angle.
Finding various insects & arthropods on the prairie is always a treat. That does include beautiful spiders—like the marbled orb weaver—except for when I accidentally walk into it’s web and feel guilty for the rest of the day. Ugh! It’s the worst feeling, knowing how hard it worked on that beautiful web!
Entomology was one of my favorite classes in college and happens to be one of my favorite things to study in my spare time. I always wish I had more time to study it further.
Native spaces should feel alive, not just with a diversity of grasses and flowers but rich in wildlife of all shapes and sizes. Next time you walk through a native area— especially if there is weeds— challenge yourself to look for life beyond the plants. I see many prairie enthusiasts get caught up in perfection and focus on the weeds rather than the beauty of the small wins. Yes, it is very important to get rid of those invasive weeds! But… Native spaces don’t have to be perfect to host other native species. While total restoration is the goal (always!), I find time and time again that insects, birds, and small mammals appreciate whatever small slice of native we are willing to give them. Even if that means your start-up prairie project turned into a patch of thistles…but yet you have a few great stands of common milkweed for the monarchs. It’s a start! (and, by all means, call me and get those thistles cut before they go to seed!)
Bright purple Ironweed beginning to bloom. The sea of Queen Anne’s lace behind it was one of the first things I tackled after the plant survey to begin this project in 2022. We went about it with a mix of strategically timed mowing and spraying, and this season (two years later) there was a 80% significant decrease of Queen Anne’s Lace! Instead the area is now filled with a good diversity of native grasses and flowers.
Despite scouring my phone looking for a picture from this season, I couldn’t find one—so I found this one from “before” instead. I’ll have to post another blog with the before and after. :-)
Dazzling red columbine weaving through the grasses.
Because this prairie edges on the creek, we are now focusing on removing incoming Reed Canary Grass and stabilizing the bank with native shrubs like elderberry, nannyberry, and tree plantings.
With yearly touch-up over-seedings, I always end the season excited to see what other fun flowers will show their face the next year.
