Nebraskaland

January-February 2024 • Nebraskaland 73 Lessons Learned: Tips for Growing Native Plants at Home Looking to try something similar to Kirkpatrick's project? Here are some lessons she's learned over the years, in her own words. • Start small. One of the first things I did to my place was plant fescue, a non-native lawn grass, in bare patches of dirt so weeds wouldn't take over. I won't do that again. The area was only 15 feet by 75 feet, so upon the advice of a conservation-minded person, I killed it with black plastic. (Clear plastic is effective, too.) After a summer of intensified heat on the fescue plot, it was ready for a seeding of native grasses. Not a big area, but a beginning. • When you start to establish a prairie restoration, do what the professionals tell you to do. They really do know what they're talking about. If they tell you to mow the first year, do it. The prairie takes a while to get established. As the saying goes, the first year it sleeps, second year it creeps, third year it leaps. • Mowing and other mechanical methods of plant removal can be great tools. I'm still learning this one. When I first moved here from a manicured neighborhood, I was rebelliously anti- mowing. Well, there is a time and place for it. It is helpful in setting back weeds, establishing trails and creating a safe fire break before a prescribed burn. • Get to know your weed whacker. One of the happiest days of my life was when I learned to operate mine. It's my favorite tool. It goes places the mower can't. • Every action (or inaction) has a consequence. Every management decision has an effect, and sometimes your decision is to do nothing. Some of the consequences you will be happy about; some you might not like. • Don't worry too much about it. An important one. This place is not my bread and butter; it's a hobby. • If you feel like this is just too much work, maybe you should choose to do something else. When I bought an acreage 10 years ago, many people said, "An acreage … that's a lot of darn work!" I didn't buy it to make a lot of work for myself, and I don't think it is a lot of work. I love going outside and checking on how my plants have grown, and watching for birds and other wildlife. If I didn't have weeds to get after, or that darn "work" to do out there, I wouldn't have as many opportunities to enjoy nature. One year I had the idea that apple trees might be fun. Wrong! Too much work, no fun (for me). Also, no apples. Same with a patch of serviceberry bushes I put in nine years ago. I watered them for a couple of years and mowed around them even longer, but they never grew. Time to move on. • Understand and accept that your prairie will change — while continuing to manage it. For example, at my place, the gayfeather first established itself in the northwestern corner of my field, but it has spread out and grown thicker in another corner. False boneset is currently becoming more prevalent in the original northwestern corner. While enjoying the natural changes in plant populations, I need to be watching my prairie in order to do the things that mimic natural disturbance phenomena (strategic grazing, prescribed burning or discretionary mowing), which gives different plants a chance to grow. A variety of species helps to keep a prairie healthy. And, of course, I'm always keeping an eye open for noxious weeds and invasives which require intervention. • Sit down. This is a difficult lesson. A friend suggested that I put in some benches or seating in strategic places. I laughed, asking, "How often do you think I sit down outside?" Well, since then, I've been practicing being still out there, listening, observing — and loving it. By Renae Blum

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