Planting Natives in Northeast Kansas is a unique collaborative effort between K-State Research and Extension - Douglas County (KSRE), the Grassland Heritage Foundation (GHF), and the Kansas Rural Center (KRC) to pull together information on and resources for integrating native plants into your landscape, whether it be in your backyard or back 40 acres. Interest in native plants is growing. Evidence for this appeal includes an increased number of native plant sales and selection of natives at garden centers, a flourishing industry of native plant nurseries and seed suppliers, and a swelling demand for information from the public. In recent years, calls to our respective organizations for help and advice on planting native plants, creating pollinator habitats, or restoring prairie have multiplied. This publication is specifically designed for those in the northeast corner of Kansas who wish to plant natives but do not know where or how to start. While the plants, timelines, and resources mentioned in this guide are specific to northeast Kansas, the general principles and methods for planting natives apply not only to the entire state of Kansas but to the whole of the grassland biome in the United States.
KSRE - Douglas County
For more than a century, KSRE has brought horticultural and agricultural science to landowners. Increasingly, backyard gardeners call or visit the County Extension office for information on native plants, particularly those that attract pollinators. Larger property owners seek advice on converting extensive lawns into pretty meadows or turning old pastures and cropland into prairie habitat.
For more than a century, KSRE has brought horticultural and agricultural science to landowners. Increasingly, backyard gardeners call or visit the County Extension office for information on native plants, particularly those that attract pollinators. Larger property owners seek advice on converting extensive lawns into pretty meadows or turning old pastures and cropland into prairie habitat.
Grassland Heritage Foundation
GHF works to preserve tallgrass prairie in eastern Kansas through education, stewardship, and land protection. Founded in the 1980s in an effort to preserve prairie in Johnson County KS, today the organization owns and manages multiple prairie properties and has educated thousands of Kansans about the prairie ecosystem.
GHF works to preserve tallgrass prairie in eastern Kansas through education, stewardship, and land protection. Founded in the 1980s in an effort to preserve prairie in Johnson County KS, today the organization owns and manages multiple prairie properties and has educated thousands of Kansans about the prairie ecosystem.
Kansas Rural Center
KRC has long been an advocate for sustainable farming and responsible land use. Founded in 1979, KRC works to promote a farm and food system that is ecologically sound, economically viable, and socially just.
KRC has long been an advocate for sustainable farming and responsible land use. Founded in 1979, KRC works to promote a farm and food system that is ecologically sound, economically viable, and socially just.