brambles--year 21

[likethebeer]

Ah, yes: spring. Once more I have delved into the backyard to try, valiently again, to rid our lives of brambles. So far, they're not as bad as previous years. But that just may be b/c it's still early in the season. I envision walking to this same area next month and seeing waves of brambles consuming the area. In addition, we have our new weed species, which popped up where the brambles had been, that like to grow in a thin layer of oak leaves.

I did spot 3-4 tufts of actual grass growing out there. I would rather we had native species of grass, but when I eliminate the brambles, the viney things that grow along the ground, the crazy oak-leaf-lovin' weeds, all we have left in that area so far is sand and dead oak leaves. I'll take a few tufts of grass for starters.

I did look up where the local dept of natural resources center is, and maybe I should go there to describe my problem, and my desire for a list of plants that I can try growing. I would love to do a prairie burn, but there are tons of trees in this area and I would have to make a concerted effort to prepare it, even w/out the trees all around.

Comments

[coconuthead.livejournal.com]

I don't recall ever coming across a bramble, and here you are all abundantly blessed with them. I wish you luck in defeating the vicious things.

[likethebeer.livejournal.com]

Blackberry brambles (http://www.uwgb.edu/biodiversity/herbarium/shrubs/rubocc01.htm). Apparently, they're native. I don't care. And we do not receive many berries from them, anyway.

The one thing I like is that these are weeds that I can easily identify. I walked into a bunch of poison ivy last year b/c no matter how many pictures I see of it, I can't keep it in my brain (fortunately, I was adequetely [sp] covered, so I didn't pick up a case of it).

[jaaladay.livejournal.com]

What's the new icon? Obviously, I know nothing about culture these days.
I bet the Prairie Enthusiasts or one of the other environmental groups out your way would be happy to give you lists of plants that would grow at your place...

[likethebeer.livejournal.com]

And I know some DNR people down the road. But do I ever have a pen & paper when I see them? Noooo.

The chicky is a girl that appears in ads that I see on Hotmail. I wrote about her months ago (http://www.livejournal.com/users/likethebeer/154297.html) and decided she's a nice spring-y icon. She's so cute! I should really get my stuff together and just get a paid account already.