Longtime lurker, now member

[mwayne]

Hello everybody my name is Mike. I'm going to be getting back into the tractor owner business after an absence of a couple of decades. My goal is to turn a wore-out cattle pasture into a reconstruction of an original native prairie grassland. I'll be using a tractor for brush and invasive weed removal and to also help with restoring the native grasses. I'll be having quite a few questions here in the next few months before I buy a tractor and so thanks in advance for all your help!

 

[MossRoad]

Welcome to TBN! :thumbsup:

 

[void777]

mwayne
welcome to TBN good luck with your project if the members can help give the forum a shout.

 

[Wagtail]

G'day Mate and welcome to TBN from Downunder.

Enjoy the site.

 

[GirlWhoWantsTractor]

Welcome! There are a few folks here (including myself) who are big on creating wildlife habitats and encouraging native plants and grasses. I have been working for a few years to restore some natural meadows and brushy areas (hoping to see a flock of the endangered quail again) adding a water source, etc. I just bought my first tractor a few months ago as well, although it is not used for that project very much, as restoring native habitats is often more "leave it alone." Of course that depends on what you're starting with. In some cases (worn-out cattle pasture) the land might need quite a bit of working.

I have found the project to be extremely interesting and rewarding. Looking forward to your future posts. :thumbsup:

 

[Thomas]

:welcome: to TBN Mike...enjoy.

 

[TBN Support]

:welcome: Thanks for joining!

 

[mddorange]

:welcome:
To TBN Mike.

So, where are you located? Which prairie are you restoring?

 

[mwayne]

Welcome! There are a few folks here (including myself) who are big on creating wildlife habitats and encouraging native plants and grasses. I have been working for a few years to restore some natural meadows and brushy areas (hoping to see a flock of the endangered quail again) adding a water source, etc. I just bought my first tractor a few months ago as well, although it is not used for that project very much, as restoring native habitats is often more "leave it alone." Of course that depends on what you're starting with. In some cases (worn-out cattle pasture) the land might need quite a bit of working.

I have found the project to be extremely interesting and rewarding. Looking forward to your future posts. :thumbsup:

Hi Girl, good to know that you are an expert in the area! I'll be sure to ask for your advice in the future.

 

[mwayne]

:welcome:
To TBN Mike.

So, where are you located? Which prairie are you restoring?

Sorry didn't mention in the original post. Ellis county Texas, which is south of and contiguous to Dallas county. My aim is to re-establish the grasses and forbs that were in this area originally. Back in the 1970's my Dad restarted little bluestem and amazingly enough a few spots survived the decades of hard grazing. Switchgrass and Indian grass were also here and I started reseeding those last spring.

 

[mddorange]

I wish you great results as I hate to see how much of the original land we have lost. Most people had the attitude that there was so much open land that it would never go away and did whatever they wanted without regards to the end results.

I should have asked earlier, but how much land are you restoring?

 

[GirlWhoWantsTractor]

Hi Girl, good to know that you are an expert in the area! I'll be sure to ask for your advice in the future.

Far from expert, but enjoy sharing ideas.

 

[sdquick]

Welcome and keep us updated. Post photos of the progress. I can't tell you how many days I enjoy looking at photos of tractor work while I am stuck in my office!

 

[mwayne]

I wish you great results as I hate to see how much of the original land we have lost. Most people had the attitude that there was so much open land that it would never go away and did whatever they wanted without regards to the end results.

I should have asked earlier, but how much land are you restoring?

Thanks, will be trying to get about 30 acres restored.