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Watch
Us Grow:
In April 2002 we broke ground for a new
log home at Lost Cove. Since the banks of the road leading to
this site were steep, we wanted to stabilize and return them to
native vegetation. We researched which prairie grasses and wildflowers
were native to western North Carolina, and ordered a custom-blended
seed mix from Prairie Nursery, a specialist in native restorations.
The first phase of our roadside planting was completed in June
2003 and stabilized with fiber matting to hold the soil in place.
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By
mid-summer 2003, we had installed the septic system drain field
and designed series of terraces that would allow planting of prairie
species and other wildlife-attracting plants over the drain field
in a low-maintenance setting. Note the black-eyed susans and other
wildflowers from the previous year’s roadside planting in
the lower left of this photo.
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After
raking the graded areas to remove rocks and break up clumps of
soil, we sowed our custom mix of prairie grasses and forbs with
a cover crop of oats. We mulched the seeds with weed-free wheat
straw. (See below)
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Compare
the mid-July 2003 view taken just after planting (image 1) with an
early October 2003 view (image 2) of oats providing a protective cover
crop while slower-to-germinate prairie seeds become established. |
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Image
1.
Image
2.
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Due
to the secluded location of Lost Cove, site visits are by appointment
only. Contact us via
email for details.
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