March 2024 Update
Wildflowers, swales, and eclipse preparations
As suspected March was a beautiful month at Montanoso. Grasses are growing abundantly, the oaks are putting on new leaves, and wildflowers are blooming.
The bluebonnets near the house exploded this year, coming in much thicker and more widespread than the last two years. In addition to bluebonnets the purple prairie verbena look nice and we have a bunch of wild allium blooming. I picked a little wild allium and used it in scrambled eggs.
The wildflower meadow is starting to come alive. A very small cluster of bluebonnets has established and is doing well. There are scattered bluebonnets throughout the meadow that have made it to flower. Last year there were very few and the ones that did sprout were mostly stunted and never flowered. It’s looking like a lot will make it to seed this year and I expect next year will be even better.
Throughout the month I made small improvements to the area around the deck: adding wood chips to the approach and performing maintenance on the swales. The swales have held up so far with occasional storms and we’re starting to see some plants take root in the berm and collection area.
And lastly I’ve been getting ready for the big Montanoso eclipse party (hence the delayed update). It starts tomorrow when campers arrive. Here’s hoping for good weather!