I haven’t updated in a while, partly because I don’t imagine a lot of people are hanging on my every word about the Pocket Prairie and also, not much has been going on. At the end of the fall when most everything was brown, I took the lawn mower to the Pocket Prairie. I only left what was still alive and the one clump of native grass that came up.

It has sat like that since.

We still see the occasional walker stop to read the sign. The contractors that replaced part of the gas line for the gas company read the sign.

But now, I see little hints that things are not dead. The Giant Coneflower Rudbeckia maxima has come out of the ground. I’m predicting huge growth and blooms this year! I’m seeing a few Blanket Flower teeny babies like last year https://mccoypocketprairie.com/2016/04/05/new-babies-popping-up/ but this year I know what those fine, frond-y things are. There are other things from established last year that are showing the first bits of green and I’m really happy. I know we will have much more variety and color this year. I hope we reach 6′ tall and more.

Today was a day to add new seed. I had a ‘little’ help from my daughter. We added 6 kinds of seed mixed with potting soil as well as adding more Indian Grass, Sorghastrum nutans from an area where it’s growing outside of the Pocket Prairie. We also planted roots for Black Eyed Susan Rudbeckia and Purple Coneflower Echinacea purpurea. I also transplanted Blazing Star from my front flowerbed. I’ll move more another year, right now I’m letting them multiply.

About a month ago we added more Asclepias tuberosa from the backyard as well as some Elk Horn Milkweed seed harvested from my aunt’s pasture near Tecumseh, OK.

The rest of the seeds added today were purchased with a donation to the Oklahoma County Extension Master Gardener Program so I’ll also tell who donated them if it was on the envelope. Because… Provenance, Y’all. It should also be noted that I’m using the plant name written on the envelope as is.

Gaillardia Orange Blanket Flower Jackie Pogue

Mexican Hat Ritibida Columnifera  Jamie Ashmore

Large Rudbeckia the envelope notes: with soft brown wash in the center  Jackie Pogue (hoping I got this link right, I’ll check back when they’re blooming and adjust if necessary)

Purple Prairie Clover Dalea purpurea

Showy Milkweed a speciosa  J. Morton

Lemon Horsemint monarda citriodora

Look for a post soon listing everything we’ve planted or seeded in the Pocket Prairie. I need one place with everything in it!