Home on the Meadow

A regular activity for country properties is pasture management.  Pastures and meadows have natural growth cycles.  My meadow is most prolific as spring warms around March or April, both in density and plant variety; in above average wet seasons I’ve seen 1000 different plants in a single square foot.  Left unchecked, the competition amongst California native plants and grasses would force growth up to six feet in height.

California Buckwheat & Native Grasses

As summer progresses, many of the plants have gone through their full cycle such as wildflowers, oatgrass and miners lettuce; others endure the summer’s strong sun and heat, exemplified by wild mustard, lantana and California buckwheat. Come September, most growth has dried from the sun and becomes dormant in the fall and winter.  I am grateful to be an observer of the meadow growth cycle, and glad when it is dormant and not in need of tending.

meadow tools

Many rural homeowners, might seed their meadow or pasture for lawn, native grasses, or wildflowers; due to the expense on the acreage, I prefer to keep it trimmed and see what naturally grows in the meadow. Many might disk or till the open space; I always felt that would disturb the soil and lead to wind and water erosion; if their open space is large enough, mow with a tractor.  Under an acre, I prefer the use of a gas string trimmer for cost and ease of use; tending takes about half a day per month, April thru August. I have both a hand-held string trimmer and a wheeled string trimmer.  I use a wheeled string trimmer by Swisher to trim the wide open and flatter spaces; I use a hand-held string trimmer by Stihl for fine, detailed work around trees and rocks or up against landscaped areas, or for areas with greater inclines.  It pays to use a quality brand for their durability and power; for small to mid-size properties, lower-end gas string strimmers are good enough.  As a caution, using your lawn mower in a meadow is not so good for the meadow, the lawnmower or the old bod’; always use protective eyewear, disposable ear plugs, closed-toe shoes, and work gloves.

Buckwheat & Live Oak

I’ve enjoyed keeping my meadow natural, open and unused.  Someday I may put a

Wild Mustard

small lake in it, or some horses or both.  Mostly I enjoy the space and the respite it gives me from the work week.  To find out more about what I do for a living, visit fox-joe.com