Anybody else ready to get out of their house, but know they shouldn't go anywhere public? Good thing there's a stellar project you can do in your backyard without having to come in contact with anybody! And did I mention it's one of the BEST things you can do for the environment?Transforming a space into … Continue reading Quarantine Has Me Eager to Get to Work!
Update: Flowers in Full Force
I am beyond thrilled to announce that my personal backyard wildflower initiative was/ is a success. Every few days, my dad sends me a picture to highlight all of the blooms that weren't in the previous picture he'd just sent. The meadow is taking off, the pollinators love it, and it's truly a beautiful sight … Continue reading Update: Flowers in Full Force
One Month Update: More of the Same
I decided to do bi-monthly updates since plants don't grow very fast. Go figure. We've had more of the same here in Iowa: lots and lots of rain, warmer weather, and enough dry days in between that I need to water the meadow occasionally. The plants are doing well; they're about four or five inches … Continue reading One Month Update: More of the Same
Week 2 Update: Braving the Storm
These spring storms have not been the nicest to my little sprouts. At least four of the days this last week were filled with Flash Flood Advisory inducing downpours, and next week looks to be about the same. But the little sprouts that have sprung up all over the meadow seem to have survived for … Continue reading Week 2 Update: Braving the Storm
Week 1 Update: What am I Looking at?
This update is going to be devoid of photos. Not because my camera isn't working. No, it's because there's nothing to write home about, as the saying goes. I've been watering my meadow, watching the little bits of grass I missed get taller and greener. Little cotyledons poke through the ground, but I have no … Continue reading Week 1 Update: What am I Looking at?
Letting Weeds Go Wild
I am looking at my meadow and waiting with baited breath to see the first few sprouts of growth, which should be happening any day now. You know what I do see? I see the tiny tufts of grass sprinkled across the dirt. I see the little thistle-y weed near the edge that my rototiller … Continue reading Letting Weeds Go Wild
Update: The Seeds are Planted! REJOICE!
Finally, Iowa has decided to give me a beautiful sunny afternoon that was perfect for planting. You may recall that before I spent almost the entire week inside, I was able to get more dirt to fill in some holes that already existed in our flower bed. I also used that dirt to thinly cover … Continue reading Update: The Seeds are Planted! REJOICE!
Update: Seeds and a New T-Shirt! My Shopping Spree is Over!
American Meadows has delivered me a cute, cloth bag of seeds just in time for me to start planting. I ordered them over a week ago, but with the holiday last weekend, I assumed things would take a bit longer to ship. But now they're here, and all is well. The backyard is tilled; thank … Continue reading Update: Seeds and a New T-Shirt! My Shopping Spree is Over!
For the Love of Pollinators
In case you had any doubts about why I'm doing this project, let's chat about pollinators. Bees, wasps, butterflies, hummingbirds, these are just some of the hardworking pollinators that work tirelessly in our gardens, fields, orchards, and prairies. They're a crucial element in these ecosystems, and they're extremely important for our food production. In fact, … Continue reading For the Love of Pollinators
Update: Shaking My Fist at the Sky
Iowa, I love you. Truly, I do. But get your crap together. This week's forecast was a mess, and so is next week's. As you can see, we're due for (in no particular order) heavy winds, sunshine, thunderstorms, rain, and snow. Each on a different day. Each putting a damper on my plans for this … Continue reading Update: Shaking My Fist at the Sky