La Crosse BioAnarchy

05/21/2024

03/10/2024

The garlic mustard has begun. While you're out and about the next few days enjoying the warmer temps, remove some! Look at the size of that taproot! Make pesto from the leaves and discard of the roots- these buggers can grow in your compost.

I made the mistake of composting garlic mustard years ago, and now I farm a patch every year. I pull 90% of them as soon as possible, and for the rest, I make sure to prevent them from going to seed.

03/10/2024

Bioanarchy pro tip: when you arrive home with pockets full of native seeds, flip your pocket out into a reusable container. (Yes, there are native seeds to find in the spring!) These dry conditions are great for finding seeds and separating them from the plant.

03/03/2024

It's National Invasive Species Awareness Week!

To celebrate, consider incorporating native plants into your garden this spring, like the wild bergamot you see here.

Not sure where to start with your planning? For alternatives to common invasive plants, check out the brochures on UW Extension's website for plants to include in your yard and garden: hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/landscaping-alternatives-for-terrestrial-invasive-flowers-and-grasses/

03/03/2024

Forests, prairies and savannas all work best when they're shared. But invasive species spread rapidly and make it hard for other plants to grow — plants that help hold soil in place, plants where birds nest, plants that make up vibrant, interconnected habitat. Overgrowth of invasive species can ca...

03/03/2024

New research shows that seeding and planting after buckthorn removal can help keep future buckthorn at bay. But not all plantings are created equal.

03/03/2024

Learn more about garlic mustard and how you can help restore balance for wildlife and water quality by removing these plants before they flower.

03/03/2024

Brought over accidentally in ship ballast in the 1800s, this Eurasian plant's spread can threaten the diversity and balance of a prairie. It is phytotoxic, meaning it chemically alters the soil to poison neighboring plants. Because so few prairie areas remain in our state — less than 1% of what wa...

03/03/2024

European buckthorn is a tall understory shrub brought to North America in the early 1800s as an ornamental shrub. But this woody plant escaped from yards and landscaped areas long ago, spreading rapidly in forests and other natural areas ever since.

02/21/2024

So, you've got seeds... what next with the strange weather? Answer: Start your seeds early! Our favorite method is to use old containers that we would normally discard (milk jugs, plastic containers, glass jars, etc.)

For glass jars, add soil and seeds, moisten, and LOOSELY cover, preferably with a breathable material.

For plastic, here's how we do it:
1. Cut plastic in half if needed (depends on the depth of the container).
2. Add drainage holes if you'd like. Otherwise, just don't overwater them.
3. Fill bottom half 3/4 of the way with soil, plant seeds. Moisten.
4. Replace the top half (if applicable) and secure with masking or duct tape. Leave the lids/caps off and opt for a more breathable cover. Jugs with a narrow opening don't need any covering.
5. Place in the sun and watch them grow! They can be started outside or inside. If starting inside, you may want to acclimate them by setting them outside for a few hours each day a week before planting. Make sure containers stay moist, but not too wet.
6. Transplant!

02/18/2024

Want to order native seeds of your own? Check out some of these locally owned businesses:

https://www.prairiemoon.com/
https://www.prairiefutureseed.com/
https://www.agrecol.com/
https://www.prairienursery.com/

***this page is not affiliated with any of the websites above.

We provide the largest native plant collection available for retail sales in the United States. With a network of growers across the Midwest, we supply over 700 North American species