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Native Seed Suppliers in Iowa

JeanValette

JeanValette

Well-Known Member
Feb 15, 2016
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Minnesota
I'm helping out some family renovate some derecho wrecked woodlands and am looking for native seed mixes for shade/forests. I'm well aware of a lot of Minnesota businesses (Prairie Restorations, Prairie Moon, Shooting Star, etc.) that could help but just wondering if others had any luck with Iowa based companies. I've checked some lists but again looking for personal recommendations if possible.

FYI, north facing slope, north central Iowa, about 3 acres. Soil is moderately well drained and silty/sandy. Woodland was and to some extent still is very heavy in black cherry, chokecherry, hackberry, and some weedy elms.
 
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Forest and prairie really don't mix well. Sounds like you might want to consider planting some additional trees to make up for what was damaged?
 
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JeanValette said:
I'm helping out some family renovate some derecho wrecked woodlands and am looking for native seed mixes for shade/forests. I'm well aware of a lot of Minnesota businesses (Prairie Restorations, Prairie Moon, Shooting Star, etc.) that could help but just wondering if others had any luck with Iowa based companies. I've checked some lists but again looking for personal recommendations if possible.

FYI, north facing slope, north central Iowa, about 3 acres. Soil is moderately well drained and silty/sandy. Woodland was and to some extent still is very heavy in black cherry, chokecherry, hackberry, and some weedy elms.
Click to expand...


North facing slope and trees will be an issue if there's a lot of shade. You might want to stick to a native sedge mix or a bottlbrush grass/virginia wild rye to get something establish quickly for erosion control. Plant some ephemerals (virginia blue bells, trillium, etc.) as plugs next spring.

For what it's worth, Prairie Moon in MN is probably one of the best native seed nurseries in the Midwest. You might want to ask them if they harvest any seed from Iowa sites.
 
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Check with the local county conservation. There have been some solid efforts (at least here in Linn Co) to increase the amount of prairie growth.

1,000 Acres Pollinator Initiative | Linn County, IA - Official Website

The 1,000 Acres Pollinator Inititive is a Public/Private Partnership spearheaded by the Monarch Research Project (MRP) with Linn County Conservation, Cedar Rapids Parks and Marion Parks. The goal is to restore or create 1,000 new Linn County public land acres to diverse, native pollinator...
www.linncounty.org www.linncounty.org

You can also check out with some local non-profits.
Indian Creek Nature Center
indiancreeknaturecenter.org

seed savers | Indian Creek Nature Center

indiancreeknaturecenter.org indiancreeknaturecenter.org

Bur Oak Land Trust
www.buroaklandtrust.org

- Bur Oak Land Trust

Aggressive, non-native plantings can easily invade natural communities where they eventually eliminate native trees, shrubs, grasses and forbs.
www.buroaklandtrust.org www.buroaklandtrust.org
They provide information on what types of plants you can/should plant.

Here's another one I just found, that will I think be a better resource.

Tallgrass Prairie Center

tallgrassprairiecenter.org tallgrassprairiecenter.org
 
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arobb said:
Forest and prairie really don't mix well. Sounds like you might want to consider planting some additional trees to make up for what was damaged?
Click to expand...
Not necessarily prairie, perhaps some on the edge. Things such as sedges and wild rye along with columbines, bellflower, etc.
 
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Cycho1 said:
North facing slope and trees will be an issue if there's a lot of shade. You might want to stick to a native sedge mix or a bottlbrush grass/virginia wild rye to get something establish quickly for erosion control. Plant some ephemerals (virginia blue bells, trillium, etc.) as plugs next spring.

For what it's worth, Prairie Moon in MN is probably one of the best native seed nurseries in the Midwest. You might want to ask them if they harvest any seed from Iowa sites.
Click to expand...
That's what I was thinking too in regards to sedges and grasses. I have seen small patches of bottlebrush near the property edge and I am a big fan of wild rye.
 
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United Seed in Des Moines should have options available. They can also custom blend seed varieties if you want something different than what they offer. Quick Supply in Ankeny is another option.
 
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