Pocket prairies can help people understand the importance of prairies—even on a small scale.

What is a pocket prairie?

It is a garden, usually 1-3 acres, in an urban or suburban setting with plants native to the coastal prairie, an ecosystem that once stretched across Texas and Louisiana.

How to build the pocket prairie:
  1. Find a site that receives full or nearly full sun exposure.
  2. Prepare the site by removing invasive species.
  3. Select and obtain plant species seeds and live plants.
  4. Plant the species at the site with friends and family.
  5. Watch the prairie grow and maintain it by weeding, watering and trimming the plants as well as by mowing once a year.
What should be planted in a pocket prairie?

The garden should include native grasses and flowers. In a pocket prairie, grasses should take up 30%-50% of the area. On the native prairie, grasses make up about 60%-70% of the landscape. Check out the infographics above for examples of grasses and flowers to plan.


Where can I visit a pocket prairie?

There are six pocket prairies in the Katy area at local schools, but there are dozens more across the Greater Houston area.
  • Katy High School, 6331 Highway Blvd., Katy
  • Katy Elementary School, 5726 George Bush Ave., Katy
  • Michael L. Griffin Elementary School, 7800 S. Fry Road, Katy
  • Roosevelt Alexander Elementary School, 6161 S. Fry Road, Katy
  • Montessori House for Children, 20625 Lakemont Bend Lane, Richmond
  • Tom Wilson Elementary School, 5200 Falcon Landing Blvd., Katy


Want to learn more?

Check out the following resources: Source: Katy Prairie Conservancy/Community Impact Newspaper