An area as large as an acre or two can be hand seeded in a few hours. Mix the seed thoroughly with sawdust, vermiculite, or some similar inert material to increase the bulk. Increasing your seed amount several times over makes it much easier to achieve an even distribution. Work slowly and try to cover the ground as evenly as possible. Always divide the seed in half and broadcastthe area from two directions. Setting up a grid system using flags or markers will also help to get the seeds spread evenly. Hand seeded areas should be packed or rolled firmly after seeding.

For larger areas, we usually recommend planting in three steps. First, roll or pack your site to make a firm seedbed. Second, plant the grass seed and the larger fluffy or chaffy flower seeds with a Truax or similar native grass drill. Prairie grass seeds are too fluffy and chaffy to be planted with a standard agricultural grass drill or cyclone seeder. be sure to drill as shallowly as possible, about onw fourth inch. Finally, broadcastthe small flower seeds over the top of your drilled area. Large areas can also be broadcast on a firm seedbed with a Vicon or similar seeder and packed after seeding.

One bushel of wheat per acre may be used may be used as a cover crop, especially on erodible sites. We do not recommendthe use annual rye as a cover crop as this plant produces a chemical which is harmful to many seedlings. An erosion blanket that is pourous enough to allow small flower seedlings to grow through it can be used on steep slopes.