Native plantings save money, environment

After this bad weather, I would hope others will notice the advantage of all the native prairie plantings. Drive roads this winter with mowed edges and watch the snow swirl across the road without the natural snow fences. Compare copious amounts of water runoff from large mowed landscapes to the native planting absorptions.

Look at the mono cultures of mowed grass and compare it to the range of beautiful flowers or tall grasses swaying in the wind. Think about local budgets with weekly mowing costs of machines, gas and manpower compared to the manpower and removal three times a year from weeding out invasives. Reduce your water bills by planting native bushes and trees.

I suggest buying an

inexpensive roadside prairie identification guide and enjoy all the advantages of prairies.

If you are available from 9 to 11 a.m. on a weekday to help me remove invasives along Mormon Trek, contact me at (319) 351-1684.

Judy Pfohl

Iowa City