This is a public-interest archive. Personal data is pseudonymized and retained under GDPR Article 89.

hi

Hi Carmen,
I too have an old hay field that I entered into CRP which is beautiful
right now, 3 grasses headed out with red clover and alfalfa as
understory. I also entered into CRP 24 acres that I planted to prairie,
139 species, all from here in Iowa. Prairie and hay have nothng in
common however some of the weedier prairie species do make it into old
fields and are prolific which is why farmers consider them weeds. But
usually none of the finer species do.
However, some research has been done in southern Iowa involving
exclosures. Within old pastures, which at one time were briefly cropped,
have been installed small fenced enclosures, which exclude the grazing
cattle. With time some prairie species have shown up. With burning more
prairie species have shown up. The researcher first burned every other
year but that allowed biennials to really get going. Then he tried
burning every year. There are about 7 species there now, if I recall
correctly. So prairie is persistent.
In Iowa we have the Iowa Prairie Network which is an organization of
prairie enthusiasts, restorers, protectors, and botanists who regularly
come together to learn. Lots of sharing of information, much of it hands
on. You probably have something like that close to you.
Also, start identifying the species. It is easier to id them in the
field, in flower than it is after they are picked and pressed. The id
books will tell you if they are native or alien. The easiest guides are
the ones that go by flower color. And I still thumb thru looking at the
pictures in order to identify (I'm trying to learn more about plant
families.)
Enthusiasm is all that is needed to begin.
MJ Hatfield
---------------------------------------------------------------------
To sign-off this list, send email to majordomo@mallorn.com with the
message text UNSUBSCRIBE PRAIRIE
Other Mailing lists | Author Index | Date Index | Subject Index | Thread Index