Helianthus Annuus Sunflower (Su,D,AE,N) 2 – 8 ft H x 2 – 4 ft W. Annual. Bright yellow ray flowers surround a composite (many flowered) center. Blooming mid summer to fall. Great plant to bring in wildlife. Blooms: Mid Summer to early fall (Su) Moisture: Dry (D) Soil Type: All soil types when local ecotype… Continue reading Helianthus Annuus
Category: Going Native
Fall is near, it’s time to reflect on planting
When I look about the garden I see a lot of finished projects for the first time in a long time. This year’s been very productive. Not only have I found a few plants that are beneficial to both birds and me, I have found a new sense of appreciation for maintenance, the test of… Continue reading Fall is near, it’s time to reflect on planting
It’s coming
Seed germination for native prairie 2020
Using both indoor an outdoor sowing methods a new prairie of warm season bunch grasses, and forbs. Indoor Methods Indoor Medium: Peat pots Indoor growing environment: Heat mat, 2 florescent lights on 12 hours. 1 plant light, 1 plain. Side oats grama propagation Indoor sowing results produced leaves within seven days when laid on top… Continue reading Seed germination for native prairie 2020
How to quantify results of a backyard shift to natives
For this to be a true effort in providing habitat to native pollinators and birds we must be able to identify the species involved as well as quantify the results. What is a measure of success? How many life cycles constitute a stable population? Of course the first goal is to see species the first… Continue reading How to quantify results of a backyard shift to natives
Seeds for the new Prairie garden
Originally Posted on 4/15/2019. These can be planted this fall. Sideoats Grama Seed (Bouteloua curtipendula) Item #: 21520 Grass Seed Weight: 1 Oz $4.00 Purple Prairie Clover Seed (Dalea purpurea) Item #: 16860 Seed Weight: 1/4 Oz $6.00 Switchgrass Seed (Panicum virgatum) Item #: 27570 Grass Seed Weight: 1 Oz $4.00 Fall Planting: Purchase… Continue reading Seeds for the new Prairie garden
How changing the gardens contents can change its vitality
The Going Native journey is not a statement. It’s not political, not artistic, not religious. It’s a journey by steps towards the best habitat I can create. It’s the new age ideal, ‘we are everything, and everything is us’, brought back to the physical. It’s finding pure balance in the nature I create. But it’s… Continue reading How changing the gardens contents can change its vitality
The garden walk about
9/7 Re-establish curves of the original flower bed Introduce more rock to ‘base garden’. The space between flower bed and paths to and from the bridge. Dig out path outlines on far side of bridge- started Look for good ways to transition between path and base garden. Some favorite plants like think soil in the… Continue reading The garden walk about
Ideas for new paths
This is a nice tutorial on how to create a gravel path that stays in place. The big deal is the tamping and a good tamper! A natural low profile path The path found by Pam Penick on an Austin Garden Tour in 2008 has the lines I’m looking for. Here flagstone is upended to… Continue reading Ideas for new paths
Little bluestem likes it hot but is it behaved enough for a small space?
It’s good to get to know your plants before they are planted. Did you know they are good for grazing? This would be a good link for every size plot. This says little bluestem might be annoying in the garden… homestead on the range See Also: