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April 23, 2008
I look back and notice that I haven't posted anything since last October! I always meant to, but then I just never did. I would like to say it is because I have been busily working on the Native Suburbia site, but that wouldn't be true either. I did spend some time working on web pages for the Greater DuPage Wild Ones chapter You may notice that it bears some resemblance to the Native Suburbia site. Can you blame me for reusing some of my work?
Hopefully I will get around to processing some of the zillions of pictures I have sitting around. I will keep you posted.
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I poked my head out of my cave (also known as the computer room) and it seems that Winter is over. A new growing season is quickly ramping up. For all the caretakers of cool season grasses that means the "sounds of summer" are already here. I was saddened to hear all the lawn mowers firing up last weekend already!
In the interest of full disclosure, I actually used my lawn mower to mulch up the leftover plants from last season. Burning does not look like a viable option in our neighborhood, so I need some way to clear the way for the next season's growth. We are still trying to determine what our long term maintenance plan will look like.
Benia and I have already toured the yard many times. There is so much to see in Native Suburbia! This is an amazing time of year as we go from zero to 6 feet in 6.2 weeks. (OK, I don't actually measure, but I liked the way that sounded.) Since we have no lawn and our native plants are still sparse in some areas, things look pretty barren after the snow melts. As soon as we got a few sunny days though, things started sprouting all over. To give you an idea of the enjoyment we get out of our yard tours here is an email that Benia sent after a walk she took without me. Things are moving so fast that these are new developments since the day before!
1. Another mayapple sprouted up where the 2 newer ones are, near the ash tree. There are also 2 brand-new mayapples just behind the hairy wood mint.
2. There are many little Solomon's seals coming up on both sides of the path near the ash tree. The first false one appears to be opening up and spreading its leaves out more. There are going to be so many! :)
3. The little Pennsylvania sedges near the big viburnum are fluffing out nicely. Perhaps a photo is in order?
4. Still no sign of the mayapples near the maple, but I did notice a new trillium or two crammed into the crowded spot of anemone/geranium farther from the path than the original trillium bunch. I could tell by the 3 triangle-shaped leaves around the center. It looks like the others.
5. The original bloodroot lost all its petals already, but the second one appears to be about to open up soon. Both leaves were still curled around the stem.
I only had a few minutes and of course, didn't want to leave.
-Benia