Three Ways to Get Wildflowers to Pollinate Your Land

Bee flying to wildflower

Pollination is important to all the world’s seed plants, ecosystems, and humans. Pollinators are responsible for assisting over 80% of the world’s flowering plants to reproduce—meaning most of our food is produced with the help of pollinators. The most widely known pollinator is the bee, but pollinators can include other animals (like bats and hummingbirds) […]

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Plant of the month: Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa)

Wild Bergamot

This signature purple flowered plant may be familiar to you by its wide use in teas and dried flower arrangements.  Wild Bergamot is also a resilient native plant that grows in almost any condition (except for the wettest of soils) and is a favorite among bees and butterflies. When selecting a seed mix containing wild

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Five Things to Consider When Designing a Good Seed Mix

farmer sowing seeds

A well-planned seed mix is essential to constructing a diverse and stable planting. Knowing the physical characteristics of the site is essential to choosing the most appropriate native plants for that site. A diverse planting normally includes a seed mix of annual, biennial, and perennial species. Cost and availability are two essential factors that come

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Warm Season Grass Establishment Mowing Is Critical to Stand Success

Mowing

In order to most effectively begin your Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) project, you will need to establish a solid protocol for mowing your grass from the start, typically beginning in June. The seeds we plant need lots of heat, sun, and moisture in order to germinate. The soil temperature needs to stay above 65 degrees

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Plant of the month – Stiff Goldenrod
(Solidago Rigida)

Stiff Goldenrod Solidago Rigida

Commonly associated with hay fever, the Stiff Goldenrod actually doesn’t have wind-blown pollen and therefore isn’t the source of your sniffles! Instead, these hearty wildflowers are adaptable and a favorite of birds and butterflies. Plant characteristics A perennial plant, stiff goldenrod has green leaves, yellow blooms, and can grow between three and six feet tall.

Plant of the month – Stiff Goldenrod
(Solidago Rigida)
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Plant of the month – Purple Prairie Clover (Dalea purpurea)

Purple Prairie Clover

Known as a legume type of wildflower, Purple Prairie Clover is able to capture nitrogen from the air and uses its natural bacteria to fertilize the soil. The most widespread of the Prairie Clover, this plant is a favorite of pollinators including bees, butterflies and other insects. This native clover is a key component of

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10 Steps to Choosing the Herbicide That’s Right For You

Chemical control with herbicides has been an important tool for managing weeds for many years. A strong herbicide plan is essential in controlling your weed population-maximizing your CRP establishment success. The tips below will help you build a successful CRP establishment plan. 1. Positively ID weed species Determining the weeds that create the most problems

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Adding Wild Bergamot to Your CRP

Wild Bergamot | CRP

Monardo fistulosa, better known as wild bergamot or bee balm, is a wildflower belonging to the mint family. This perennial can be found throughout much of North America in thickets, clearings, and dry fields. Wild bergamot can easily be identified by its summer-blooming flowers that typically range from pink to lavender (though they can also be white). These flowers produce a strong fragrance (as well as a potent taste

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