Site prep for native plants - Ask Extension
Hi, I want to prepare a large section of my back yard for native plants and native flowers. The area will be planted by seed. Currently the area is...
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Site prep for native plants #937002
Asked June 27, 2026, 12:36 PM EDT
Hi, I want to prepare a large section of my back yard for native plants and native flowers. The area will be planted by seed. Currently the area is completely overgrown with 3 ft. to 6 ft. tall plants: garden phlox, goldenrod, non native shrubs, Hackberry trees, boxelder trees, maple trees etc. The trees are all small enough for me to cut down. What is the easiest way to kill off the big mess of plants? In the past, after cutting trees and shrubs to ground level, I painted on vine and stump killer to the stumps to prevent regrowth. Do you recommend using that method? I have no idea how to remove the rest of the plants because they are so tall. There are way
too many plants to dig them up. Can I use a weed wacker and then pick up all of the cut vegetation? Then what would be the next step to prevent regrowth? I do not like to use plant killing spray like roundup, but I will use it if it is recommended. Thank you
Ramsey County Minnesota
Expert Response
Thank you for writing. Phlox divaricata (Wild blue phlox) and Phlox pilosa are native to MN.
https://www.minnesotawildflowers.info/flower/wild-blue-phlox
https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=phpi
Golden rod is native to MN and does not cause hay fever. https://seasonwatch.umn.edu/canada-goldenrod
five maples are native to MN, (red, black, silver, mountain and sugar) https://extension.umn.edu/trees-and-shrubs/red-maple
The large tree needs pruning.
You should start with a plan, a map of high points (berms, raingardens, paths, arbors, etc.
Have an arborist over (to evaluate tree pruning, the size of mature native trees, the relationship of the trees to the utility lines. See my signature. It is usually better for the tree and cheaper for you to schedule pruning in Jan, Feb but this varies with the tree.
The arborist can also haul the brush away. Handling the trees is part of site preparation.
Solarize for the rest of the summer. Mow short or scythe and then mow short. Then lay down a clear plastic tarp for at least six weeks . https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/solarization-occultation Clear plastic encourages weed germination but deprive them of the opportunity to flower and reseed.
Lightly rake or till very shallowly. Water well. Send in a soil test- see signature. Fertilize and mulch according to the test. Then shake or plant wild flower mixes and seedlings or shubs (price compare!!).
This is a two to three year project.
Consider getting professional help through metroblooms.org or from the U. https://extension.umn.edu/landscape-design/planting-and-maintaining-bee-lawn
https://www.minnesotawildflowers.info/flower/wild-blue-phlox
https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=phpi
Golden rod is native to MN and does not cause hay fever. https://seasonwatch.umn.edu/canada-goldenrod
five maples are native to MN, (red, black, silver, mountain and sugar) https://extension.umn.edu/trees-and-shrubs/red-maple
The large tree needs pruning.
You should start with a plan, a map of high points (berms, raingardens, paths, arbors, etc.
Have an arborist over (to evaluate tree pruning, the size of mature native trees, the relationship of the trees to the utility lines. See my signature. It is usually better for the tree and cheaper for you to schedule pruning in Jan, Feb but this varies with the tree.
The arborist can also haul the brush away. Handling the trees is part of site preparation.
Solarize for the rest of the summer. Mow short or scythe and then mow short. Then lay down a clear plastic tarp for at least six weeks . https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/solarization-occultation Clear plastic encourages weed germination but deprive them of the opportunity to flower and reseed.
Lightly rake or till very shallowly. Water well. Send in a soil test- see signature. Fertilize and mulch according to the test. Then shake or plant wild flower mixes and seedlings or shubs (price compare!!).
This is a two to three year project.
Consider getting professional help through metroblooms.org or from the U. https://extension.umn.edu/landscape-design/planting-and-maintaining-bee-lawn
