Wild rose is a perennial forb that colonizes large areas where native grasses are thin. I think it’s an essential component of mixed grass prairie restorations because it blooms early in the summer and withstands drought better than many other … Continue reading
Our land is smothered by smooth brome (Bromus inermus). To better establish new production plots, we grow vegetables for three years before seeding native species. We start by solarizing the new garden with clear plastic before planting the first … Continue reading
One of the most elegant grasses of the prairie is porcupine grass. Few plants animate wind and light conditions as well as this cool season native. But for all of its grace, few plants cause more pain to the non-observant … Continue reading
We just returned from the National Native Seed Conference in Washington DC. The title is a bit of a misnomer. Most of the attendees were from the western US where federal agencies are the largest landowners and buy millions of … Continue reading
Since the conclusion of the Paris Climate meeting, I have been thinking and reading about how the US will meet its obligation to lower CO2 emissions. A significant contribution could come from increasing the country’s forest canopy, especially in cities: Cities … Continue reading
This gallery contains 34 photos.
We will offer a pollinator mix later this year that should work in a range of conditions: compacted urban soils, hot spots in parking lots or boulevards, droughty sites with sandy or very well-drained soils, and even average garden soils. … Continue reading
I watched the fire run up to our production plots and thought “this epitomizes my farm career: I can’t keep up.” Plums keep sprouting in new locations before the old thickets are brought under control. A controlled burn (really) last … Continue reading
As concern for monarch populations grows, so does the need for milkweed seed. I never thought we would harvest and clean common milkweed seed but there is a need that we can easily fill because it grows happily in our … Continue reading
Aha! Found this article on Science Daily (see text below if the link dies): http://tinyurl.com/o23fspv I have suspected that forbs and grasses should and can grow together in our plots. The trick is figuring out which ones work together the … Continue reading
“You won’t get a permit if we don’t get some moisture,” the Clearwater Volunteer Fire Chief flatly informed me. It was the week before the seed conference, two weeks before we wanted to burn the pasture. “I understand.” Heck, I … Continue reading
