Category: August 2011

There was so much brush, we didn’t know where to put it! We already had accumulated 3 brush piles, and were planning to consolidate them into one, later, when they had compressed a bit.

We had a dumpster from the apartment renovation. We were also almost ready to begin our kitchen renovation. It’s very important to note, no plant material was ever put into the dumpster! Instead, the area next to the dumpster served as a good temporary holding area for brush. We attempted to keep invasive brush separate from non-invasive brush, however, that was impractical, back in 2011. Pretty much all of it had to be considered invasive.

 

We have become emboldened, and begin pulling phragmites and rhizomes from their most southeastern stronghold (far side of pond from house).

Now, you can understand why we needed the strong guys!

One day, nobody was available to help, so I decided to go after a small patch of phragmites myself.

The important thing to understand, is that the more of the rhizome you can get out, which is underground, and connected to other rhizomes, the better. Imagine a giant, soggy piece of ginger root, with an eight-foot tall piece of grass attached to it.

My technique was to loosen the rhizomes with a shovel (being careful not to break off any fragments, which could root), and then see if they would pull out. If you find one that’s impossible, then work around it, removing its neighbors. In a few minutes, when you return to the stubborn one, it’s often ready to give up. All bits and pieces have to be carefully piled onto a tarp.

“Well, that doesn’t look like much!” I hear you say. However, when you get down closer, you see how big they really are. Note the skinny shovel, which can be more precise, and also lighter, that gives an idea of the scale of things.