Piedmont Prairie: Frequently Asked Questions
Learn more about our Piedmont Prairie installation process
- What if I have deer pressure in my yard? We may need to install some deer protection fencing if deer are abundant. We have solutions for deterring deer, which can be added to the cost of the installation.
- What if my yard has slopes? We can generally work with slopes so long as they are not too steep.
- What if my yard is shaded? Generally prairies will not grow on shaded sites. They typically need at least 5-6 hours of direct sunlight (more is better) during the growing season. If you have a site that receives slightly less sunlight, there may be some options, but they usually consist of more grasses and fewer flowers.
- Will a Piedmont Prairie damage my septic? To the best of our knowledge a prairie will not affect a septic system.
- Do I need to water/irrigate my prairie? No
- What are the implications for mosquitoes? Prairies attract more life, which generally means more things that want to eat mosquitos. We have not observed nor read about an increase in mosquitos due to a prairie.
- What are the implications for snakes? Prairies create healthy ecosystems that are full of life. You are more likely to see a snake here than in a traditional yard. But not to worry, snakes are far more afraid of you than vice versa. Read more about why snakes shouldn’t be a concern here. Better yet, these snakes hunt mice, rats, and other creatures that carry ticks, Lyme Disease and other disease.
- What if lots of trees are growing nearby? It should be fine so long as the prairie receives at least 5-6 hours of direct sunlight during the growing season.
- Can I have a Piedmont Prairie installed in conjunction with a larger landscape design on my property? Yes, we can work directly with your landscape architect/designer.
- What if the soil conditions on my property are awful, e.g., clay, compacted, post-construction, etc.? No problem! Prairies thrive in harsh conditions.
- Are there laws requiring me to keep my prairie short? No, not generally at a municipal level - but there could be at an HOA level. If you live in an HOA, you will need to check your HOA bylaws. We include signage that explains the process to anyone walking by. The signage is educational and makes the space seem more official, which can often help alleviate HOA concerns.
- What does the prairie look like in Winter? Once established, each season provides unique beauty. Prairies in the Winter have many dead stems and old seed heads, which look gorgeous on frosty mornings.
- Can I walk in my prairie? Of course! And you should - they are amazing to experience.
- What about ticks? Researchers have found that deer ticks prefer the forest side of the forest/lawn ecosystem, where undergrowth is scattered. After that, the most popular place was further into the forest, where deer hang out the most. Deer ticks did not seem to like lawns or other grasses, even when long. So no need to worry about an increase in ticks when replacing lawns with a prairie!
- How long does it take to grow a prairie? It usually takes 2 to 3 growing seasons for the prairie to become established.