So then I went and cut down an ash tree that was damaged by the ice storm and split almost a cord of firewood. Only 84 more ash trees to go. If only we had a wood burning fireplace.    Back on the other side of the house, the prairie is looking tired although the grasses (little bluestem) still look good. The prairie will get cut back in March. In the vegetable garden, the garlics are starting and I broke down 3 of my 4 cold frames. I was able to harvest enough spinach, arugula, and lettuce for two days of salads. In February!    400 pound woman beats up roommate over Girl Scout Cookies, from necessity: low fat diet, drive thru, TV dinner, super size demonize the calorie, a unit of energy measurement, spend less on food than any population ever the most obese population ever, a zero calorie energy drink is an oxymoron When we moved to Indiana I made a paddleboard and started training on Geist Reservoir. I got sick from the polluted water in our Reservoir, our drinking water. In 2010 I attended a public meeting on Reservoir water quality and met a facinating group of biologists, environmentalists, and community leaders. Been learning and gardening ever since. Some pictures from my California trip...         This is Watershed Leadership Academy Homework Upper White River/Geist Reservoir Watershed 11-git Hydrologic Unit Code: 05120201100 Total acres of this watershed: 140,162 Dams in this watershed: Geist Reservoir Dam, Swartz Lake Dam, Pendleton Dam, Roc Martin Lake Dam Most common population density: 51 to 500 people per square mile Impaired streams in this watershed Fall Creek, Foster Branch, Prairie Creed (Madison), Sly Fork-Brandon Ditch, Fall Creek-Honey Creek, Fall Creek-Sugar Creek, Fall Creek-Mud / Little Creek Tributary, Lick Creek Headwaters Note: It appears that all streams in this watershed are impaired. Source: IndianaMap.org  Land Cover Riparian Area: I am evaluating a section of the Thorpe Creek watershed within the Upper Fall Creek/Geist Reservoir Watershed. Healthy waterways have a riparian buffer of native grasses and/or trees. Much of the south side of Fall Creek looks pretty good. The north side has a lot of agricultural land and development right up to the water edge. Not so good. The Reservoir has almost no natural edge. Not so good.  A seed starting plan is helpful for gardeners that want a jump start on spring. You take the last freeze date and add/subtract days based on vegetable type. The first date is when you start the seeds indoors. The second date is when you plant 'em outside. The seed start guide for central Indiana is here. Source: Organic Gardening Magazine It is important to communicate with residents, businesses, and organizations affected by any native planting before it appears on the landscape. The message needs to be positive and extol the benefits: improving water infiltration and water quality, reducing dependence upon fossil fuels (by decreasing use of fertilizers, herbicides, and mowing), eliminating use of irrigation, introducing a butterfly habitat, providing an educational opportunity for the public, creating a green image, or restoring a historic landscape (Mariner). Managing public expectations through open communication will result in positive perception of the project. The public has been trained to expect instant gratification. Through press release, public presentation, and one on one dialogue, project coordinators can convey that it takes a few years for native plantings to develop. The weedy appearance is only temporary until the native perennials take over. The Tallgrass Prairie Center Guide to Prairie Restoration in the Upper Midwest. page 159 |
