We did a cut and treat method in the fall of 2013 after the Canada Goldenrod (Solidago canadensis) had bloomed. It appeared to be successful after a weeks when we could see the plants were dying but the real test was what would happen a year later. You can check out the original blog post. [Read more…] about Treating Canada Goldenrod – Follow Up
Prairies and Woods
Seeds of Discovery
Seeds are fabulous fascinating aspects of flowers. There are no two alike, even among similar genera. They vary in size, shape, color, transportation method, germination method, and the list can go on. They are an important life source for plants, birds, insects, and mammals. With such an important element, why don’t we know more about what the seeds of the Driftless Area look like? [Read more…] about Seeds of Discovery
Collecting and Cleaning Seeds
This is one of my favorite times of the year. Not only is the weather cooling off and the trees are turning into beautiful, vibrant, autumn colors, it’s seed collecting time!!! I love, love, love seed collecting. There’s something purifying and cathartic about the process; maybe it’s in knowing that I’m spreading the “prairie love” by gathering some of the fruits of previous restoration efforts and giving them life in new restoration efforts. Maybe it’s because seed collecting is quiet work, unlike the summer of chain sawing and brush cutting. Whatever the case, it’s rewarding and gratifying work. [Read more…] about Collecting and Cleaning Seeds
Good Prairie, Bad Prairie
How does one know if an ecological restoration area is a good prairie or a bad prairie? And frankly, what is “good” and what is “bad”? [Read more…] about Good Prairie, Bad Prairie
Woodland Restoration Efforts
We bought additional acreage in 2012 and this summer the work in the woods begins. The additional land consists of 12 acres of prairie and about 2 acres of woods. These woods are adjacent to the other 3 acres we bought in 2005. Below are a couple of photos before any work began. [Read more…] about Woodland Restoration Efforts
The Hard Edges
Edges are hard!!! From a management perspective, the edges are never finished. Of all the things on our TO DO list, monitoring and maintaining the edges are a constant. [Read more…] about The Hard Edges
