Prairie Restoration Minnesota Landscaping Company | MN Native Plants Restoration

The Importance od Pollinators

Bobbi — Fri, 17 May 2013 22:05:44 +0000

I recently heard on MPR that Rep. Jeanne Poppe, DFL-Austin, is sponsoring a bill to support and promote pollinators, and I for one, think that is great! Pollinators play a crucial role in not only native plant propagation, but also in the production of our food crops. Pollinators are also in big trouble; their numbers have been declining drastically over the last few years and we can expect real catastrophic results from this if we don’t act now to reverse this trend. The reasons for the decline are many, from loss of habitat, to ever increasing uses of pesticides, to diseases and parasites that destroy whole colonies. PRI believes we need to address this situation by doing what we do best – planting native wildflowers and grasses. We have some wonderful wildflower seed mixes that can provide blooms throughout the growing season which is so important to providing nourishment and supporting the overall health of bees, butterflies and birds. Give us a call and we can help you select the plants right for your site that will provide food and habitat for our vital pollinators.

Bobbi Voss
Sales Assistant
Two Oaks

Spring Is Here!

Bobbi — Fri, 10 May 2013 18:21:03 +0000

This spring has been one to remember. From “thunder snow” in April to temperatures close to 80 degrees. There is even the thought that some people may be ice fishing for the 2013 walleye fishing opener. It finally hit home for me this week that spring has arrived with all of the pictures of prescribed burns being posted on Facebook by my colleagues and friends. Adding to that notion that spring is here, this week has been one of the busiest all year for shipping out seed. Although this time of year can be stressful due to the workload, I love that more and more areas are being restored with native species.

Bob Huffman
Seed Shipping and Warehouse Manager
Princeton Farm

Bobbi — Mon, 06 May 2013 17:06:06 +0000

Back in 2008, the people of Minnesota voted overwhelmingly to pass the Clean Water, Wildlife, Cultural Heritage and Natural Areas Constitutional Amendment. This amendment, which raises the sales tax rate by three-eighths of one percent until the year 2034, will raise approximately $300 million annually. As stated on the ballot, the amendment will “dedicate funding to protect our drinking water sources; to protect, enhance, and restore our wetlands, prairies, forests, and fish, game, and wildlife habitat; to preserve our arts and cultural heritage; to support our parks and trails; and to protect, enhance, and restore our lakes, rivers, streams, and groundwater.”

The amendment has now been in place for roughly 4 years and people are naturally very curious about how the money is being spent and what is being accomplished. To answer this very question, the Minnesota Legislature created a website to “keep the public informed.” This website is a great resource to learn about the funding categories, how the money is being allocated, and review thousands of projects that have been completed to date.

I urge you take a look at this website to learn about all of the great things that are being accomplished as a result of this important and unprecedented amendment.

http://www.legacy.leg.mn/

Mike Evenocheck
Director of Sales & Marketing
Prairie Restorations, Inc.

Bobbi — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 14:30:57 +0000

Today is April 19^th; the buckthorn has been cut, slashed, piled and burned or chipped. Maintenance on the equipment is nearly complete. For me, these two things mean the beginning of a new season – our prescribed burn season. Yet, as I sit down to write this, Mother Nature seems to have a different idea as to when burn season should start. We were hoping to be burning our prairies as early as the beginning of April, but as it turns out the groundhog, “Punxsutawney Phil” could not have been more wrong on his prediction for an early spring this year. We are all anxious to get out and burn, so hopefully the weather will cooperate soon!

The late start to spring will bring with it many challenges. The window to perform the prescribed burns, which plays a very integral role in our prairie management, is narrowing as each wintery storm blows through this spring. Even though we are handicapped with unfavorable spring weather this year, we are confident that with hard work and long hours, we will be able to complete our management and restoration work that is helping to heal our land and environment one project at a time.

Mike Patton
Watertown, MN

Winter’s Last Hurah?

Bobbi — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 22:00:35 +0000

It really hasn’t felt much like spring so far this year in Minnesota. With average April temps in the 50’s for highs and mid 30’s for lows, we have stayed closer to the lows for our highs. Today is April 11, 2013 and we have another snow storm. Thankfully it produced less snow than was predicted, only about six inches instead of 12, but not much fun nonetheless. The latest snow fall on record for Minnesota was in Mizpah which occurred on June 4th, 1935. They only got one and a half inches, but snow in June sounds even worse than having snow in April. One of these days spring really will be here. I know all of us are getting excited to get out burning and start on all of our 2013 projects.

Prairie Day – June 15th

Bobbi — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 19:02:55 +0000

It may be hard to believe but Prairie Day (June 15th) will be here before we know it. Even if you have attended Prairie Day in the past, you won’t want to miss it this year. We will have new and interesting exhibits, presenters and a brand new, beautiful retail store to check out. This year we are holding Prairie Day much earlier in the summer than we have in the past. It should be a great time to view Butterfly weed, Western spiderwort and Prairie phlox - just to mention a few. June is an absolutely beautiful month on the prairie!

Besides the prairie there will be many other attractions to bring you to the Princeton Farm. We are very excited to have Don Shelby, former long-time anchor of the WCCO evening news, as the keynote speaker. We are sure that Shelby will be an interesting and engaging speaker with his knowledge and interests in areas of bee keeping, energy conservation and alternative fuels. You’ll have the opportunity to go on a bird walk with Minnesota Master Naturalist Doug Stucki as well as book signings by local authors Lynn Stiener; Landscaping with Native Plants of Minnesota and Stan Tekiela; Birds of Minnesota Field Guide. There will be presentations by Minnesota State Botanist, Welby Smith and the University of Minnesota Raptor Center. Of course there will be activities for children such as exploring the petting zoo and hay rides.

Actually there are too many attractions to mention here so check out our Special Events page on our website for more attractions and information.

Bobbi Voss
Sales & Marketing Assistant

Bobbi — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 19:08:27 +0000

Ahhh… Spring finally feels like it has arrived! The days are getting longer, the sun is warmer and the snow is melting. Now that spring is here, it is time to start thinking about your garden.

A trip to Prairie Restorations, Inc. retail stores will inspire new and creative ideas for your prairie or garden. Here are just a few gardening tricks to try with native plants: Try planting a Thalictrum next to your roses or raspberries to deter Japanese Beetles, attract pollinators with Asclepias, Liatris and Aster species, or plant a wild edible like Pycnanthemum virginianum for a refreshing spring mint iced tea.

Visit our new retail store in Princeton or our retail store in Scandia for information, reference books, tools and materials for gardening with native plants! While you are here, don’t forget to browse our gift section with local art, Minnesota made products, gourmet food from the Midwest and unique, environmentally friendly gift items.

Elissa Thompson
Retail Stores Manager

Rose Rosette Disease (RRD)

Bobbi — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 20:10:36 +0000

A rose disease that attacks multiflora roses is spreading into the Upper Midwest as far north as northern Iowa and including the Madison, WI area. Although cases in Minnesota have not been reported at this time, it is important to educate customers about the disease as it continues to spread into the region.

The disease is called Rose Rosette Disease (RRD) and it can show itself in many ways depending on the specific rose species/cultivar and the severity to which the plant is infected. Symptoms of RRD can appear as leaf disfiguration and reddening, stunted leaf growth, elongated or thickened stems, heavy thorn production and poorly formed flowers. This disease may cause the plant to abort blooms and exhibit fewer petals, and the petals that do appear may be discolored or abnormally shaped. The disease is caused and spread by a tiny mite which lives between leaf the petioles and buds. While inactive at temperatures below fifty degrees, cold weather does not kill the mite. Limiting the planting of multiflora roses will help limit the spread of the disease. At this time there is no known cure for RRD and once infected, the disease is fatal to the pant. Infected plants should be dug up, bagged, and discarded or burned. Native rose species have shown resistance to RRD, which include prairie rose (Rosa arkansana) and smooth rose (Rosa blanda).

Again, RRD has not been reported in Minnesota, though it would appear that its spread into northern Iowa may be an indicator that it may soon spread into Minnesota. If you have further questions about RRD, I would suggest an internet search to learn more. Information for this blog was taken from an article in the March, 2013 issue of Today’s Garden Center Magazine, written by Associate Editor Karli Petrovic and also information provided on the American Rose Society’s website.

Gene Schmidt
Woody Plant Manager
Boreal Natives

Bobbi — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 18:33:49 +0000

Well, it is the first day of spring! Even though it was -9 degrees last night and we have lots of snow out there yet, people are anticipating spring and warm weather in the near future. This is obvious from the number of catalog requests that are coming in as well as an increase in seed and plant inquiries. We are all anxious to see green sprouting through the snow and buds on the trees. New growth, new life, getting our hands dirty as we get into the gardens, etc.

Our crews are getting equipment in shape for upcoming dormant mows and spring burns. This is a very busy time for us as we prepare for spring and summer. We are all excited to get outside again and see the progress of the prairies we currently work on and start on all of our new projects. It’s looking to be a great year!

Becky Porter
Princeton, MN

Seedlings Growing at Boreal Natives

Bobbi — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 21:33:02 +0000

It’s the second week of March and the snowpack is nearly two feet deep near Duluth where the Boreal Natives site of Prairie Restorations is located. It’s been a long time since I remember that much snow this time of year. In the next couple days we will be covering our 100’ greenhouse–but first, we need to remove all that snow. Once the snow is removed, a team of people will pull a huge sheet of plastic up and over the greenhouse. The edges will get fastened down and the ends closed off. Then we’ll fire up the furnace and be ready for another season of transplanting.

Meanwhile, in the 50’ propagation greenhouse, germination has steadily been increasing. Swamp milkweed, Yarrow, and Stiff goldenrod were a few of the first species to germinate. Quickly following were Blue flag iris, many Aster species and Black-eyed Susan. Now when I walk up and down the rows there are dozens of different species starting to grow. It won’t be long before those little seedlings will be transplanted into 6pks or 4” pots for this summer’s crop of plants.

So despite the slow start to spring, the greenhouses at Boreal Natives are warm and full of promise for another great restoration season.

Jen Stenersen
Native plant production
Boreal Natives site