Fox Hollow Prairie Planting

A new partnership with the Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission began today when a team of Super Swampers planted the new Fox Hollow Prairie in County Farm Park.

The seeds were collected by the Super Swampers over the past several years from Buhr Park. Our stock of seed is now large enough that we can share. County Parks was interested, so we agreed on a place in County Farm Park called Fox Hollow.

We decided to go with a low tech approach for this project. Previously we would do extensive planning. This time we're experimenting. What if we sow seeds on the ground with minimal preparation? The idea is based in part on a conversation with Greg Vaclavek at the Native Plant Nursery a few years ago as he showed off a section of land that they stopped mowing, burned and did minimal seeding. It might be a longer process, but we've got time.

Soil preparation was simple: raking the ground and pulling loose materials off. Then seeds were sowed by the kids.

Complete List of Seeds

• Yellow Coneflower
• Iron Weed
• Prairie Dock

• Indian Grass
• Blue Stem Goldenrod
• Sneezeweed
• Switch Grass
• Fox Glove Beard Tongue
• Hairy Beard Tongue
• Bottle Brush Grass
• Split Leaf Black Eyed Susan
• Black Eyed Susan
• Bee Balm
• Penstemon
• Evening Primrose

• Stiff Goldenrod
• Cow Parsnip
• Thimbleweed
• Butterfly Milkweed
• Common Milkweed

All seeds were collected from the Buhr Park "wet meadows" but our wet meadows have turned more to prairie over time. But we have no plans to change our name.

We have an idea that this small prairie will grow over the years and spread south and west as our little plot develops a good seed bank and nature takes its course.

Special thanks to Shawn Severance of the parks department who came and helped out.

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