Root Plates Can be Dangerous, and Interesting
April 2, 2020
In summer 1984, a very narrow storm, probably a tornado, lurched through our rural neighborhood, including our yard. A tall... Read More →
Another Example of the Value of Thistles
March 16, 2020
Thistles are among the most disliked plants in the world. Sure, they’re spiny, and some species have become invasive after... Read More →
Below the Surface
January 6, 2020
Iowa is synonymous with agriculture. Our state is renowned for its rich soil, and its farmers often claim that they... Read More →
The Habitat’s All Gone
October 28, 2019
It’s steep, I think, as I scan a faint overgrown path that leads straight up the bluff. “We’re going to... Read More →
Chiggers are the Worst
July 22, 2019
Important: This post is only for those who are already in love with prairies and will traipse happily through them... Read More →
Requiem for a Prairie
June 6, 2019
While driving the Black Diamond road on an autumn day in 1978, I noticed the color and texture of native... Read More →
Ring of Fire
June 18, 2018
Bur Oak Land Trust blogger Lon Drake recently wrote a fine commentary titled Why We Burn, What We Burn,... Read More →
What’s the Key to Prairie Diversity?
October 16, 2017
Scattered patches of blue dot the otherwise expansive green prairie. Curious, I meander over to the nearest blue patch, scanning... Read More →
The Value of Drought
September 28, 2017
This year, spring and early summer had quite adequate rainfall. But as we slip into late summer and early autumn,... Read More →
From a Blank Slate to a Backyard Prairie
August 14, 2017
After moving to a house in a new development, my yard was a blank slate. I took the opportunity to... Read More →
