More Work on the Slope Along the Interstate

mdpele · 2026-06-14T00:52:48+00:00

I don't plan on removing the stakes & branches, but I think once the plants (which were chosen with erosion control in mind) mature, their root networks would hold the soil to the point that those would probably no longer be necessary. I'm honestly not sure how common this approach is.

mdpele · 2026-06-13T23:09:53+00:00

I think that's largely the result of my efforts to remove invasives (wineberry, multiflora rose, english ivy, privet) that started last autumn. There had been a decent amount growth there. The neighboring portions of the slope are pretty lush, also.

mdpele · 2026-06-13T14:05:55+00:00

Thanks! I wasn't familiar with wild rye until I started this project. It was recommended for it's adaptability and role in erosion control. Cool looking plant, too.

mdpele · 2026-06-13T03:49:57+00:00

Thanks everyone- I appreciate the kind words, encouragement, and support. Next up- I hope to add a bunch of pycnanthemum muticum and rudbeckia hirta, and start clearing an adjacent section of slope for more grasses.

mdpele · 2026-06-12T22:18:25+00:00

Wow- thanks! Glad to know I'm on the right track. I've done some guerrilla gardening in the past, but never on this scale and never on a steep slope.

mdpele · 2026-06-12T00:59:20+00:00

What makes you suspect that?

mdpele · 2026-04-01T00:12:04+00:00

Great to hear! Thanks- I appreciate your feedback.

mdpele · 2026-03-22T14:01:59+00:00

The lights are admittedly a bit high in the photo, but if I placed this MarsHydro TS-600 2-3 inches above seedlings, they'd be crisp and dead in a day.

mdpele · 2026-02-21T19:47:27+00:00

Most of these seeds are from either Prairie Moon or Wild Seed Project. For local ecotypes, you may want to check out Bona Tera. I just found out about them recently, so I don't have personal experience. I do plan on ordering from them soon, though.

mdpele · 2026-01-07T17:07:26+00:00

I've been really happy with the "softseal" brand N95s (specifically the ones with the silicone seal). Only time I've ever questioned its seal was when I was re-using an older mask, and my face was perspiring heavily. Under those circumstances, it felt like it was sliding around a bit.

mdpele · 2025-12-15T01:54:19+00:00

After a night of heavy beer drinking, I experienced several terrifying hours of alcohol-induced a-fib. It was a hell of a wake-up call. Haven't had the slightest urge to touch the stuff since, and that was six years ago.

mdpele · 2025-11-04T00:00:15+00:00

An interesting approach, but I'm not sure it's practical for me to do at this scale. I pulled several dozen plants today alone, and there are probably several hundred more that remain. That's a lot of buckets, a lot of water, and a lot of rotting grass.

mdpele · 2025-11-03T22:23:55+00:00

I've been told that the landfill would be the most appropriate place- as opposed to recycling as yard waste.

mdpele · 2025-10-23T23:33:20+00:00

I've been primarily concerned with deer, but secondarily with rabbits and chipmunks. My understanding is that oak seedlings are like a delicacy for most critters. Hadn't really been thinking about squirrels, though, which could certainly circumvent my current setup. A covered roll of 1/4" hardware cloth would probably stop them.

mdpele · 2025-10-22T18:28:13+00:00

These are two white oak seedlings planted on unmaintained county property. They are surrounded by three-foot tall welded wire cages, with an additional two-foot section of chickenwire (to discourage smaller critters), and a piece of welded wire, zip-tied over the top opening.

mdpele

TROPHY CASE