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Post date: Apr 2, 2016 12:30:59 AM
In the past few days we have had warm afternoons, cold nights, considerable wind (25 mpg with gusts up to 40) and a dusting of snow this morning. Tomorrow we clean the ditch that irrigates our property. So I sharpened four sets of pruning shears for my neighbor. Except I doubt that is the right tool for this part of the ditch!
I hauled another load of crusher fines (gravel) and set the last of my flagstone steps. Also hauled a load of chopped up vegetation to use as mulch. it was very moldy as it has been sitting in a pile all winter. Still, it will help keep the wind off the moist soil under my trees.
I also planted what turned out to be rather tender seedlings of Cornus Stolonifera Arctic Fire red twig dogwood. They froze two nights after I planted them, so look very droopy now. (See photo at left.) I’m hoping they will revive when the weather warms. Otherwise I’ll have to replace them.I also ordered short prairie grass seed to hold the soil on my berms. This will be blue grama and buffalo grass — both native to this area. I will cover the seed with blanket of excelsior which will both hold the soil until the grass is established and keep the seed and seedlings moist.
Today I went to the edge of the road by the park and dug some Iris that grow there. I divided the Iris and planted them by the side of the streamlet from my roof drain. They are only about 3" high at the moment. I collected seed from these and planted them in another area, but am not sure they will germinate. As a sideline I hired a road grader to grade the parking lot at church and add a layer of rock in a few areas. There is a nice, round evergreen shrub in that parking lot. (See left) Clearly tolerant of our soil and climate. Chamabatiaria millefolium is a local shrub that blooms late summer and retains its seed heads. I may find a place for it here. One of those genera with only one species. Closest relative is in Kazakstan, and that one is another genus with only one species.>>> Next <<<
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