Once the Katy Prairie was a sea of grasses and wildflowers as far as the eye could see.  But times have changed and today much of the prairie has been converted to "improved" grasses and agricultural crops.  But there are still patches of prairie that are awash with different species, including big and little bluestem, winecup, black-eyed susan, yellow stargrass, meadow beauty, and many more that are hard to come by in most nurseries.  

So with your help, we're hoping to grow some more of our own.  Best of all, you can join in the fun.  You can either pick up the seeds at our Houston office or we'll mail them to you.  Either way, you can help jumpstart the renaissance of the Katy Prairie landscape from your own back (or front) yard, patio, or even window sill.  Just add water and dirt.

The young plants grown out by volunteers will be transplanted along both sides of the new trail that will lead from Warren Ranch Road down to Warren Lake and the Matt Cook Wildlife Viewing Platform in the late spring.  We have already received a grant from the Texas Birding Classic thanks to the Vopak Vultures team led by Don Verser.  These funds will help us buy seed and plants that we have been unable to collect.  We also have been collecting seeds at various sites throughout the region so we have plenty of seeds.  Now we just need plenty of grow-out volunteers.

If all goes according to plan, before too long we'll have transformed the margins of the 100-foot long trail to the lake, so visitors will be able to experience what a tallgrass prairie looked like before Houston was settled.  If we have a bumper crop, the surplus will be transplanted at KPC's Field Preserve.  Eventually, we hope to have 30 or so acres at the front of KPC's main building, KPC's Field Office, planted in native grasses and wildflowers.

Not sure what you want to grow?  Visit the link below and "shop" the many flowers and grasses in our online gallery.   

Not exactly sure how to get the best results?  Check out the link to our grow-out handbook; it contains text and video.

Want to pick up your seeds?  Come by KPC's offices during business hours (Monday - Friday, 9 - 5, call 713.523.6135 to make sure that we will be in.)
Want your seeds mailed to you?  Send us a self-addressed stamped envelope requesting the species you'd like to grow out if you have a preference, or not if you like surprises.

Want to see who else is growing out plants or help get more seeds ready for the Great Grow Out?  KPC will be co-hosting a seed packing party at the Houston Zoo on January 5th.  Our goal is to bag up 1000 packets of seeds for 22 species.  Visit our website to find out more.