Smothering Again

Despite varied success (and failure), I am, again, attempting to smother more of the field in my attempt to convert it into a native grassland.  Over the years, I have come to realize that I need a lot more native grasses to cover this area, and only intersperse them with wildflowers.

My goal has always been to keep each section in various stages of succession.  After twelve years here (we moved at the end of October, so our anniversary is coming up soon), the field is now in a late stage of succession.   I am happy to have the various goldenrod species; they are very beneficial to a wide array of species.  However, I need to create more biodiversity.

I took some time, last weekend, to clear another section and put down newspapers (many thanks to my husband, Jeff, for saving them for me and bringing them home from work).  I covered these with brown filler paper from our Chewy deliveries, branches, and (weed free grass clippings).

When the time comes, I will either sow seed or plant the plugs I will winter sow later.

It's small, but it's a start.

Getting There

Despite my continued frustration at my relatively slow progress trying to restore our property, I was happy to see how big one of our black gum trees (Nyssa sylvatica) is getting.  I am enjoying its fall color.

However, that is not what prompted this post.  While trying to get some shots of the fall leaves (with my digital camera, not posted here), something caught my eye.  My alder trees are finally making flower buds/catkins!  I have been known to get pretty excited when my trees become sexually mature!

These trees started as bare root seedlings that had been temporarily planted in a decaying mulch pile.  After too many years of not moving them to there final location, I finally moved them this spring.  The move seems to have been very beneficial to them.  They recovered quickly and are now about 5 feet tall...and making there first catkins.  I hope to protect them from the deer and see them bloom in the spring.  I am, also, looking forward to seeing their cone-like seedpods come fall and winter. :)

Late Addition

As things are getting ready to go dormant, I ended up adding a water lily (our native Nymphaea odorata) to the pond.

I have wanted one for a long time, so, when I found that I could purchase one from a native plant nursery (Edge of the Woods, in Allentown)--I jumped at the chance.  Actually, my dentist offered me some water lilies from his sound--I have yet to get them from him...and not sure if he has the native one.  (I do hope to get some blue gills and black nose dace from him eventually.)

Despite the weather dropping from the unusual highs of 70s & 80s for the past week or two to a high of 52°F, I waded into the water (with old shoes on) and put the potted water lily in place.  Hopefully, it will survive the winter and thrive next years--it is supposed to be remarkably hardy.

With the addition of the larger pond...and (the future) wetland, I have really expanded the variety of native plants to grow on our property.   I am so excited by this.  :)