RE: Meadow rejuvenation

Definitely not the knowledgeable member... but here is my 2cent worth.

Burn in the spring- April-May - by June it is too late in our area. A
few reasons. The heat generated by a burn will increase microbial
activity, which you need in the spring. Organic matters will break down
releasing nutrients for plant growth. If you do this in the fall, ash is
washed away by the winter moisture. Of course, having said that, it is
advice based on not having a woody plant issue.

The stronger of the species will always take over. So you will have to
remove some plants. I would do it in the fall and replace with another
variety in the spring after you burn.

I also have Filipendula, queen of the prairie. It does take a couple
years to reach max height. Wish it would have a longer bloom time. As my
stand of this is increasing (not aggressive) I have attempted for two
years to give some to the nature center. Can not seem to transplant nor
get seeds to germinate. Anyone successful at doing that? When
transplanting, it starts wilting within minutes of being dug out... even
when careful to take a large section of dirt with it. None of the wilted
plant rhizomes have taken. :( gotta be doing something wrong.... going
to try before it sets leaves next spring...

You might try to contact Pat Armstrong of Naperville, she is better than
a book :)

You may also try asking this on Chris's prairie list.

Donna
IL Zone 5- about 40 miles south of you....


> Hello there perennial friends:  I am fortunate to havea meadow which
my
> husband and I created in the corner of our 1 acre lot.  It is about
200
> feet across and triangle-shaped with a maximum depth of 50 feet.
There
> is a path running through it made with cedar chips.  There was no
> attempt to create an authentic prairie, just a pretty meadow..
> 
> We put in the meadow in two stages.  Initially(1984) we planted forbs
> and seeds over most of the area and then added a 5 foot strip in the
> front about 10 years later.
> 
> We mow it to the ground every year (alternating late fall and early
> spring) and about every 5 years we burin it.I also add a few different
> plants each year , usually in a cluster because it is difficult to
> water. It is very beautiful, BUT.....
> 
> Increasingly, the coneflowers are taking over.They are considerably
more
> than 50% today and pale purple monarda  is most of the rest.  There
are
> daisies and veronicastrum and some grasses and brown eyed susan and
> asclepias tuberosa,  but not much else.  This year I added 6
Filipendula
> and they are not as tall as I expect they will be, but did fine at
about
> 4 feet
> 
> MY QUESTION:  WHAT CAN I DO TO ENCOURAGE MORE VARIETY.?  I GUESS I
WILL
> HAVE TO DIG UP  SOME OF THE CONE FLOWERS AND MONARDA AND GIVE THEM
AWAY.
>  BUT WHAT SHOULD I PUT IN THEIR PLACE?  AND WHEN SHOULD I REMOVE THEM
> AND HOW SHOULD I "REFRESH " THE MEADOW EVERY YEAR.  BURN OR NOT BURN?
> MOW IN FALL BEFORE SEEDS DISPERSE OR IN SPRING?
> 
> AND FINALLY, CAN ANY OF YOU RECOMMEND A GOOD BOOK WHICH DEALS WITH
THESE
> ISSUES.
> 
> I KNOW I'M ASKING A LOT, BUT ANY HELP ANY OF YOU KNOWLEDGEABLE PEOPLE
> CAN GIVE ME WOULD BE APPRECIATED.
> 
> Thank you,
> 
> Nancy deGrazia
> Long Grove, IL (5A)

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