2004: In the first season the prairie was mowed twice to reduce seed set of annual weeds. The first mowing was in late July using a standard riding lawn mower with deck set all the way up (ca. 5”). This mowing knocked back the foxtail, ragweed, redroot pigweed and velvetleaf (all common agricultural weeds) prior to seed set. A second mowing was done in early September using a tractor and brush hog. This mowing was as about 8-10’’ and was probably timed about a week to 10 days later than optimal as some of the foxtail had produced mature seed by this time.

2005: The priaire was mowed once on June 15-16 with a brush hog set to cut ca. 5-6 inches high. Throughout the rest of the season I periodically walked the area and used a shovel to remove invasive plants. Starting in June, common mullien and yellow sweet clover were removed, followed by white sweet clover, red clover and Queen Ann's lace in July. Red clover and dutch white clover were removed through August and September.

2006: No mowing this year. Periodically walked the area and used a shovel to remove invasive plants as in 2005. Very few common mullien remained but red and dutch white clover were prevalent in some areas.

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