Our weeding event ambients registered drier than predicted, but cold clouds and wind did not relent.

Attendees (therefore) were spirited and efficient, and even Betty came down from New York to advise and lend a hand.

Dave and Trudy, Lisa, Jennifer and her son, and Bob and dog all pronounced the progress of the emerging plantscape as “excellent” and “exceeds expectations”.

Some of the good things noted: the ground was moist for easy pulling, cowpen daisies, sennas, river oats, and various gramas appear established and developing wide areas.  The redbud was blooming reasonably, and desert willow was still flexible.  Bluebonnets were robust, and unimpeded by adjacent growth.

The weeding efforts this day became focused on removal of bur clover, some few bastarde cabbage, dandelion, queen anne’s lace, stickleaf bedstraw, sowthistle, and Erodium (stork’s bill).

Some other more controversial plants were allowed to remain, notably a broader-leaved low geranium, chickweed, Oxalis woodsorrel, some already-large Baccharis “Rooseveltweed”, and the larger thistles.

Goals for the next Weed:  Most of the grasses, and including Bermuda, had not greened enough to identify positively, so we will leave them for the next session.  The Johnson grass, and some other grass (dubbed “comin’ out grass” are high in the wetter north side of the trailhead.  Perhaps next event we should mow and grub the Johnson and put in some Indian grass in hope of displacing it.   Quite a few cedar elm sprouts are coming up.  Maybe we should save some in good locations.

Several trails are evident now, and we should consider to help establish these, as well as open up some access to the large rocks.  So – thanks all – and here’s hoping for good rains.

Bur Clover Weed

Sowthistle Weed