It’s been about a month since we called people together to help lay the trails around the Water Street Commons, and we figure it’s time meet again, for another few hours of work. This time, our primary objective will be to remove unwanted plant species… Specifically, we’re hoping remove all traces of spotted knapweed, which seems to be the most pernicious of the invasives that we’re dealing with on the site. (Knapweed not only spreads quickly, but, through the secretion of toxic chemicals, it also kills surrounding plants competing for the same resources.)
And, yes, we know that it’s supposed to rain all day today, and into tomorrow, but, given how much easier it is to pull knapweed when the soil is wet, we thought that we’d take our chances. Clearly, if it’s pouring rain, or if there’s lightening, we won’t be coming out… But, if it’s just drizzling, you’ll find at least a few of us out there, yanking and digging the nasty, purple-flowered plants out of the ground.
So, if you have time, we’d love to have you stop by and join us. We’ll be meeting at the intersection of Michigan Avenue and River Street tomorrow morning at 9:00 AM. Bring a pair of gloves, if you’ve got delicate hands, and a pick, or a shovel, if you’ve got one. (It’s sometimes necessary to dig out the more mature knapweed.) We’ll have water and snacks, but, if you’d like to bring something to share, that would be cool too, although not necessary.
And, if you don’t feel like helping us to eradicate knapweed, I’m sure we can find something else for you to do… like putting mulch down around some of our more established plants, moving rocks, picking up trash, etc… There’s always stuff that needs doing on the Commons.
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As it turns out, it wasn’t quite a mob. Still, though, the few of us that showed up did a hell of a lot of work, and, over the course, of about 3 hours, hauled away several hundred knapweed plants. As for why more people didn’t show up, my guess is that it likely had something do with my mention of the fact that knapweed is “toxic”. Next time I’ll choose a better word… And thanks to all of you who did show up. I had a great time working alongside you.
Actually, I’m just now reading this and am sorry I missed it! Me and a small team from my company would have loved to have participated. I’ll keep an eye out for your next Commons announcement!