Meadow Grove Ranch

11/01/2024

Hawk in The Meadow. Squirrels going crazy with alarm. My "w**d patch" has attracted small mammals which attracts predators.

08/10/2024

Though I've not put effort into The Meadow this year, beautiful things have started popping up. I thought the Swamp Milkw**d died like the Common Milkw**d. Nope, I saw bright pink flowers. WooHoo!!! The Purple Coneflower keeps doing nice with Blackeyed Susans starting to bloom. Hopefully within a month the Ironw**d and New England Aster start blooming.

06/10/2024

Some people might ask why I have so much grass around my native plants. Well I didn't use chemicals to "start fresh". I also did do any of the "smothering methods" of using cardboard, landscaping fabric or plastic. I plan on doing small prescribed fires aka controlled burns next spring to burn off most of the non native cool weather grasses. Most native plants can survive fires. Some thrive after burns and a few even need fire to have much success.

06/01/2024

Just amazing how God has things pop up naturally. Way more Philadelphia fleabane popped up this year. The Eastern Daisy Fleabane will be blooming later this summer.

05/06/2024

Started mowing paths. I can't believe how much Philadelphia fleabane has popped up. This is the early species. Each year The Meadow should get better and better. I probably mowed down 100 or more plants just so I can have paths. My goal is to have something enjoyable for everyone. Most people don't want to trudge through high vegetation. Plus ticks are an issue until I get a well balanced ecosystem.

04/30/2024

02/10/2024

Not my pic, but wow, did I have an experience late this afternoon. I saw a big bird flying over my woods towards my house. At first, I thought probably one of my Turkey vultures migrating back. Nope, it was a BALD EAGLE. I so wish I had my phone to take pics or video. Just a rush to actually now be able to claim one flew over my woods. Of all the birds, Baldies are in a category by themselves.

02/03/2024

Micki Bair Brelsford Shirley Meyer I know you also have Black Walnut trees so I thought I'd share. Don't let the juglone poisoning of plants discourage you. https://growitbuildit.com/juglone-tolerant-plants-black-walnut-compatible/?fbclid=IwAR06Tv2a6UQFBwYaLQWS2MxjXNtOL7HkVk2bW0GbBgLomtGtzo49Kyew7ec

A complete list of plants that can grow beside a Black Walnut Tree based on Journal Publications, Universities, and Ag Extensions.

01/28/2024

The more I learn about native plants the more I realize that I know very little. Just came across a post about Collinsia verna, or blue-eyed Mary. Never heard of it but WOW. The one pic almost looks like standing on the Clark's bottom land looking up at my hill. Seems I found another plant that I must have. It likes moist woods which is even better. Hmmm...is it destiny since there once was a little girl who lived here named Mary Martz and there's a lady who owns property next to mine named Mary Butt Mayberry?

01/24/2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubtXriOMQq8&t=139s

In this video, I'd like to talk a little about how simply getting out and seeing birds can help you get through some of those tough times. Did you know that...

10/26/2023

If you grow it they will come. I haven't taken the time to look it up but I'll bet this will be a beautiful butterfly next year. I see little spikes so definitely not touching it. Learned that lesson as a kid.

10/25/2023

Pic of native Coralberry in Hocking Hills. Excited for next year and hopefully my little Coralberry plant has berries.