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People Ask Our Native Landscaping Staff: “What Do You Do All Winter?”
Those of us working at Prairie Restorations, Inc., are often asked this simple question. What do we do all winter? It is fair, given the nature of our work. You might think that an operation based on growing plants comes to a halt once the weather turns cold. But like farmers will tell you, just because the calendar shows the year is coming to a close, our work isn’t.
Yes, we’re focused on seed harvesting right now, but once those seeds have been collected, we don’t get to rest. Believe it or not, there...
Harvesting Our Minnesota Native Seed Crops
As we approach the official start of fall tomorrow, we’re thinking about harvest. For us, a big part of our work this season is involved with harvesting and processing the various native seed crops we grow. These seeds are available both for purchase in our retail stores, as well as for use in native landscape restoration projects.
Most agricultural crops like corn are annuals that need to be planted every year. But things are a bit different on our farms. The vast majority of our native seed production plots are perennials, which means that they regrow every...
For a Healthy Native Minnesota Landscape Project, a Mix of Plants Is the Answer
If you’ve checked out any of our native Minnesota landscape restoration projects you have probably noticed we use a combination of plant species. Shown below is one of our corporate native prairie restoration projects, for Carlson Toyota in Coon Rapids. At first glance you probably see the purple liatris and golden heliopsis (common ox-eye daisy), but this stretch of ground bordering their parking lot is host to quite a few native wildflowers and grasses.
Just...
Just...
Why Buckthorn Threatens Minnesota Plant & Animal Ecosystems
In a recent blog post we discussed Minnesota invasive plant species and the general threats they pose to our environment. In this article we’d like to focus on one of the biggest problem plants, the buckthorn. Not even a factor just a few decades ago, buckthorn control is at the top of the list in our plant management programs.
First, what exactly is buckthorn and how did we get it here in Minnesota?
Common Buckthorn
Not to be confused with sea buckthorn, common buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica )is a plant species that isn’t...
Common Buckthorn
Not to be confused with sea buckthorn, common buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica )is a plant species that isn’t...
Why Invasive Plants Pose a Threat to Minnesota’s Natural Environment
As a Minnesota landscaping company specializing in restoring native prairies and other native plant ecosystems, one of the challenges we face is eradication of invasive plant species. Before we can start on a native plant installation project, often the first thing we have to do is get rid of invasive plants such as buckthorn.
Just what qualifies as an invasive species? According to the USDA, it is any plant that is not native to the area (or ecosystem) in question, and if introduced can cause harm to the environment, the local economy, or human health.
Not counting aquatic plants...
The Importance of Restoring Minnesota Shorelines with Native Plants
With Minnesota being known as the land of 10,000 lakes (actually, depending on who you believe, it could be over 21,000), there is quite a bit of shoreline out there. And that doesn’t even count the rivers. Some of that shoreline is government-owned or public access, while other footage is part of property occupied by lake homes and seasonal cabins. But no matter who owns the property or what it’s designated for, shoreline needs to be maintained. Restoration with native landscaping is a good place to start.
Without the right vegetation...
Without the right vegetation...
Why You May Want to Put in a Bee Sanctuary in Your Minnesota Backyard
As a Minnesota native landscaping company we’ve had the great joy of being part of a number of landscaping installation projects in partnership with solar power entities. In addition to the terrific benefits for the property owners as well as the restoration and protection of our natural environment, often the wildflowers that are part of these projects provide habitat for bees and other threatened pollinators. This topic is of utmost importance to us, and it’s satisfying to see more and more land that would otherwise sit idle being converted to a haven for those winged creatures. ...
Minnesota Solar & Pollinator Habitat: A Native Landscaping Trend We’re Proud to Support
Solar power – particularly the type generated by utility companies – is growing in Minnesota. Consumer demand and a concern for our environment are fueling the increase in solar site installations. A 2016 bill passed by the Minnesota House and Senate (by near unanimous vote) established both guidelines and standards for solar companies to also include solar sanctuaries under their panels. Since then, thousands of acres of land beneath those solar arrays have been transformed into wildlife habitat, especially with native plants that support pollinators.
And...
And...
One way to Get Rid of a Common Weed – Eat it!
Lamb’s Quarter Orzo Salad
5 cups of lamb’s quarter leaves
2 cups uncooked orzo
½ cup feta cheese
½ pine nuts – toasted
3 tbsp apple cider vinegar
3 tbsp oil of your choice
1 tbsp sugar
½ tsp sea salt
¼ tsp pepper
Optional mix ins: rosemary, basil, thyme, mint
Cook orzo according to package directions
Toast pine nuts 350 degree oven for 10 mins
Wash and chop lamb’s quarter leaves
Mix: vinegar, oil, sugar, salt and pepper in jar with lid and shake up
Mix greens, cooked orzo, feta in bowl, pour dressing over and...
Sweet Smelling Early Blooms
The big spring green up is just a couple of weeks away…
Our forests and woodlands have rested and are ready to wake up
from their deep sleep, explode back to life, and treat us to the sweet smells
of the new season.
Among these smells are some of the blooming flowers that burst
forth in late April and early May. There are two species that come
to mind that put out a light, but distinctive sweet perfume:
Sweet white violets (Viola blanda) and wild plum (Prunus
Americana).
Sweet white violet
Viola blanda is...
Sweet white violet
Viola blanda is...
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