Ten or twelve years ago I planted some fields to native grasses. Then there was increased rainfall and one of the fields was not accessible. Access is a by crossing a dam and the water was too high to allow passage. To gain access I had a semi-load of rocks added to the top of the dam. When a farmer reached the field to harvest the grass, after the dam was raised, it was so infested with thistles that many of the bales were unusable and were burned. However, that harvesting operation had an interesting effect.
Cutting those thistles killed them and the next year the field was virtually weed free and continues so now several years later. There was a good crop of grasses in subsequent years; side oats grama, rye grass, kentucky blue grass and others. But now there's a change.
With the heavy spring and early summer rains this year the field is thick with big blue stem. It was in the original seeding but had been largely dormant until the proper conditions this year brought it forth. Fascinating how it can remain dormant for years and then emerge when the conditions are ripe.
Takk for alt
Al
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