To remove noxious weeds and prepare the cover crop, we had to till the field. This was fun.

Laura plants ‘plugs’ of native prairie flowers and grasses.

Kayla Myers, landscape architect and ecologist, has provided direction, knowledge, advice, and muscle to our project. Kayla owns and runs Jackalope Wild.

We took soil samples from several parts of the property, to understand what will grow well, and what soil enhancements are required.

Kam and Zach helped clear much of the rubble left on the misused property.

Al Knox, software engineer and musician, helps replant these river birches. The trees were ‘straight-jacketed’ in burlap and wire.

We planted a cover crop, consisting of many cool-weather vegetables, grasses, and legumes, in the fall. We just scattered seed, watered, and it sprouted! The crop kept growing well into winter. These plants will enrich the soil in many ways and prepare it for native planting later this year.

I built 10 nesting boxes for various types of birds, all ready for spring. This one is a custom design.

Here’s a chickadee box ready for new owners.