The seedlings should be planted in peat pots in the fall so that they are ready for transplantation in the prairie restoration site in May or early June of the following year. The roots of the plants should be well developed and the shoot (above ground portion of the plant) should have four or five leaves. When planting, make a small hole in the soil large enough to accommodate the biodegradable peat pot. Be sure to place the pot low enough in the hole so that soil can be firmed around the plant to prevent water loss from the sandy potting mixture.
In addition to the transplanting of seedlings, it is also possible to transplant mature one- or two-year old plants which have been grown from seeds in a nursery. These plants can be lifted from the soil by using a shovel or spade. The bare root plants can be packed in sphagnum or wrapped to prevent moisture loss from the roots if planting will be delayed. If you decide to use mature plants to increase diversity in your planting, the following suggestions may prove helpful to you.
2. Select the highest points on the site that are generally free of standing water throughout the year. Place plants that require a dry habitat here. Place others according to their moisture requirements. Be aware that standing water will cause the roots of most prairie plants to rot.
3. Also, select areas that are open and mostly free of the large grasses, big bluestem and Indian grass. Otherwise, these grasses will crowd out the prairie wildflowers. It is possible to create openings in existing stands of grass by using Roundup to kill out grasses or undesireable vegetation. This should be accomplished the year before planting.
4. Make sure the plants are placed deep enough so the buds are covered with one inch of soil. Exposed buds or crowns will be killed by winter temperatures or dehydrated by the summer sun.
5. Make sure that the hole is completely closed around the plant to prevent dehydration of the root system.
6. Some prairie plants initiate growth in early spring (March or April), so it is best to plant in the spring so the plants will be established before the hot, dry temperatures of summer arrive.
Planting can be accomplished by using a shovel, spade, or, if one is available, a tree planting bar. For most plants, it is not necessary to dig a hole. Simply push the blade of your planting tool into the ground to a depth that will accommodate the longest roots of the plant. Alternately push and pull the shovel or spade to widen the cut so the roots will fit into the hole. Insert the plant deep enough so that the buds are one inch below the soil level. In the case of some plants, such as the coneflowers, compass plant, or prairie dock, several individuals may be planted in a single hole. Close the hole by pressing firmly with your foot.
Like other propagation methods, the survival rates vary from one species of prairie plant to another. Excessive moisture and competition from other plants will reduce the success of the planting. Blazing star and rattlesnake master transplant easily and have high survival rates. The use of transplants is very labor intensive. However, their use does have application on small restorations or the enrichment of larger ones.
Based upon several years of observation, it is known that small mammals locate and eat the corms and roots of blazing stars, prairie clovers, and sometimes compass plants and prairie dock. If you plant these in an area having a high density of small mammals, you can expect to lose several of these plants. Fall burning may help with this problem by eliminating cover as depredation seems to be greatest in the winter months.