There are a few acres of native grassland on some land I purchased about twenty years ago. Were it not so hilly and rocky it certainly would have been plowed many years ago. Pastured for a hundred years or more it was colonized by invasive smooth brome grass with a bit of Kentucky blue grass also showing. A controlled burn would have been a quick was to bring back some native grasses. Burning isn't feasible because it would be too difficult to contain the fire. A conservationist recommended pasturing it during early spring until about the 1st of July. So that it is what I've done, renting it to a neighbor for his sheep or cattle.
It is working! It may have taken 20 years, but today there is a good stand of late season native grasses; big and small bluestem, Indian grass, side oats grama and others. How fascinating that these grasses would lie dormant for decades and then emerge when the conditions are favorable. The livestock now graze down the early season invasives allowing the warm season natives to flourish. Likely the abundant rain this year has also helped this restoration.
My neighbor who uses the pasture also benefits. Using my ground allows his pastures to get a good start in the growing season before putting his stock into them. Now, without asking, he puts his animals in the pasture in the spring and removes them in early July. When we see each other in town later, we agree on the rent...that's community isn't it?
Takk for alt,
Al
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