Mowing to Monarchs

Mowing to Monarchs (JPG)

Mowing to Monarchs (M2M) is a program established by the Dubuque County Conservation Board and the Dubuque County Master Gardeners. The M2M program provides accessible training & information and an experience base to guide urban and suburban homeowners in successfully adding high-value native plants into their yards. The program offers a combination of workshops, private coaching, planting guides, and funding for native pollinator planting in lawns. 

It's spreading across neighborhoods!

The Mowing to Monarchs program started in 2020. Since then, nearly 300 pollinator projects have happened with Dubuque County landowners. There may be participants right in YOUR neighborhood!

Check out this participant map

Interested in Joining Us?

Participant requirements

  • Must be a Dubuque County Landowner
  • Map of Property - Plan for how the property will be used
  • 3 Year Commitment - Sleep..Creep...Leap
  • Adequate Site Condition -Well drained.
  • Communicate - Learning process.  Must be willing to let the coaching team study your planting.

The Process

  • Site prep is key
  • Plant delivery
  • Garden Layout - Your Shape, Your Design
  • Monitor your Plot
  • Education
  • Ask questions and share your success

Get Inspired

Once established, prairie plantings are very hardy, resistant to the invasion of most weeds, and drought resistant. However, the sleep, creep, leap philosophy is one that holds true for the plants provided in the Mowing to Monarchs program. In the first year the plants are sleeping and establishing some root systems, in the second year they creep stretching further into the soil and in the third year, they leap with root systems in excess of 6 feet down into the earth.  M2M


Ready to Get Started?

Dubuque County residents can apply to be awarded a predefined mix of prairie plant plugs or seeds (the equivalent of up to $250/household) for establishing a pollinator habitat in their yard. 

There are two forms of individual landowner grants:

  • Native Pockets: 

    A native pocket is roughly between 100-130 square feet of turf converted to native species. There are three native pocket options.
    • Full Sun Pocket: 130 sq ft. Plants up to ~36" tall. 81 plants in total. A mix of 16 flowers. This pocket requires 6 hours or more of direct sunlight. 
    • Curbside Full Sun Pocket: 100 sq ft, Plants up to ~24'' tall. 78 plants in total. A mix of 16 flowers. This low-growing pocket is suitable for smaller yards in urban settings between the sidewalk and the curb. 
    • Curbside Partial Shade Pocket" 100 sq ft. Plants up to ~24" tall. A mix of flowers. Site requirements are 1 hour of unfiltered sunlight and 3-4 of filtered sunlight. 

  • Prairie Meadow:

    A prairie meadow is a turf conversion using prairie seeds. Meadows are best suited for larger areas up to 2 acres in size. The process takes longer to establish than the pocket prairies but can cover more diverse slopes and large areas.

Funding for M2M Round 4 has closed. Apply to be notified as soon as the next funding cycle begins.


For further information on Mowing to Monarchs resources developed by Dubuque County Master Gardeners click here.