Dry Upland Native Prairie Restoration – Years 5-6

From 2017 to 2022 - A lot has changed We began our prairie restoration in the spring of 2017 - on upland dry sandy soil in the sand plains of Minnesota. Look back at our first 4 years here - Native Prairie Restoration: Years 1-3 and Native Prairie Restoration: Year 4. Year 5-6- 2021-2022: Growth …

Black Eyed Susans (Rudbeckia Hirta): Collecting & Planting Seeds

Black Eyed Susan are included in almost every pollinator seed mix - and for good reason! They are a joyful, reliable plant that can be counted on to germinate in almost every soil and climate. They flower quickly, return each year, and reseed themselves. Planting Black Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia Hirta) Seeds Black Eyed Susan will …

Spotted Bee Balm – Good for bees, medicinal, beautiful

Spotted beebalm champions in sandy soils! It brings light and brightness early in summer, providing fragrant blooms and nectar for pollinators. Spotted Bee Balm (monarda punctata) - a wonder to behold and rarely found outside of sand prairies. It's a very unique plant; as tough as it is beautiful. Our spotted bee balm came from …

How to Grow Cold Hardy Prickly Pear Cactus – Edible, Rare, & Unique

We can grow cactus in the cold regions of America! And they are even native! Prickly pear cactus is a fun plant, rare and edible. Prickly Pear cactus is a rare plant! It is native to the United states and can grow as far north as Minnesota. It thrives on dry sandy conditions, though we …

Ohio Spiderwort – Edible, Hardy, and Beautiful

Ohio spiderwort is an edible prairie plant, important to pollinators, that can grow in harsh conditions. Minnesota is tough place to live! It's even tougher for plants. Long cold winters are the hallmark of our state, but most people are unaware that the middle strip of Minnesota is a sand plain - characterized by brutal …