Create a prairie landscape in your own back yard

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 12/05/2017 (3238 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Every year when spring arrives, I briefly entertain the idea of digging up my soon-to-be lush green lawn and replacing it with a prairie landscape of wildflowers and wonder.

But I grew up with lawns and love the feel of grass under my feet, and the thought of getting rid of the status quo leads me to do nothing.

Lately, however, I’ve been tempted to explore prairie alternatives that might bring birds, bees and butterflies to my garden — if I actually had a garden.

That reminded me of a book I edited several years ago called Naturescape Manitoba. Not only is it packed with an incredible array of ideas for incorporating the natural world in our surroundings, but it inspires and encourages with a simple mantra: “all you need is a little space”.

I took my newfound enthusiasm to the Living Prairie Museum at 2795 Ness Ave., a 13-hectare tall grass prairie preserve that is “… home to more than 150 different grass and wildflower species and an array of prairie wildlife.”

It was an excellent place to start planning my potential patch of prairie.

When I spoke with museum director Sarah Semmler, she confirmed, that “our staff have a general knowledge of what’s involved in converting to prairie habitat, and if we can’t answer all your questions, we will direct you to someone who can.”

Unfortunately, I had just missed the annual prairie planting workshops presented at the Museum by John Morgan of Prairie Habitats Inc. Those would have told me how to successfully grow native prairie plants at home and include them in my landscape designs.

But coming up are several opportunities to purchase prairie plants at the Museum’s native plant sales — from 3 to 6 p.m. on May 19, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on May 20, 21, 28, and June 25.

If you want to convert cultivated lawns to prairie landscapes, or to add a bit of prairie to your garden, be inspired by Naturescape Manitoba (available at the Museum bookshop or from Nature Manitoba at www.naturemanitoba.ca), and visit the Museum for additional information and plants to get you started.

The Living Prairie Museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays in May and June, daily in July and August, and Sundays from September to Thanksgiving weekend.

The possibilities for wildflowers and wonder are endless. And the birds, bees and butterflies in your soon-to-be prairie garden will love you for it.

Jenny Gates is a speaker, writer and book editor, and a community correspondent for St. James. Contact her at words@jennygates.com with questions and ideas.