COMING JULY 1, 2024
Johnson County Pocket Prairie Program
The Johnson County Pocket Prairie Program provides plants, training, information, and technical assistance to guide participants in adding high-value native plants to their yards, creating a 10' by 10' pocket prairie. These native plantings provide critical pollinator habitat for bees, butterflies and more, and also improve soil health. Healthy soil helps infiltrate more rainfall and keep pollutants out of our creeks and streams.
The Pocket Prairie Program is a collaboration between Johnson County and the Master Gardeners of Johnson County. The program is administered by the Johnson County Planning, Development and Sustainability Department. Johnson County Master Gardeners provides education and technical assistance throughout the process, and works with Johnson County Conservation to select, acquire, and distribute plants. A predefined set of plants is free to program participants.
Program Participation
The following requirements apply for participation in the Pocket Prairie Program:
- Must be a landowner in the unincorporated area of Johnson County.
- Must provide a map of the property and where the pocket prairie will be located.
- Must commit to 3 years of maintenance (sleep, creep, and leap!) to establish the pocket prairie.
- Must have suitable site conditions.
Program Process
- Apply for participation in the program.
- Participate in the Pocket Prairie Program Workshop (July or August).
- Plan your garden location and shape.
- Prepare your site. Site preparation is key, and must be completed no later than October 1 to remain in the program.
- Plant your pocket prairie.
- Monitor and maintain your plot. If you have concerns during this time, you will have access to experts with the Master Gardeners.
Ready to Get Started?
Starting July 1, Johnson County residents in the unincorporated area will be able to apply to be awarded a predefined mix of prairie plant plugs for establishing a pocket prairie in their yards. Acceptance into the program will be on a first-come, first-served basis.
The pocket prairie is approximately 100 square feet of turf converted to native species. Each pocket will have 100 plants in total, each a different mix of 10 forbs and grasses. There are three native pocket options.
- Full Sun Pocket: This pocket requires 6 hours or more of direct sunlight.
- Part Sun Pocket: This pocket requires 4-6 hours of direct sunlight.
- Wet Pocket: This pocket requires 4-6 hours of direct sunlight (preferably morning sun).
Starting July 1, applications will be accepted for participation in the program via this link:
Apply for Johnson County Pocket Prairie Program