Washington D.C. was still enjoying the effects of Ladybird Johnson's Beautification Program (I hate the word and love the results) last time I was there.
along freeways, crosstowns, parkways, where ever public land borders roadways, the show starts with ribbons of forsythia in the early spring, naturalized bulbs for a month or six weeks, wildflowers, you name it. But you still have to pick up the litter or prevent it being dropped to begin with, or it will simply smother your bulbs and flowers. Remember too, that native wildflowers may not tolerate pollution, auto exhaust and street salt, so you can't just throw out a bunch of seeds and expect results. When the naturalists start recreating the prairie, they start with a broad spectrum herbicide and then plant carefully selected seeds, which are cultivated andthe plots weeded carefully for several years. AFTER all that effort, you still need to watch for aggresive invaders like dandelions and bull thistle, plenty others. Buckthorn, anyone? Mulberries? So, I agree that Minneapolis could use something better and more colorful than grass, and we really SHOULD take direction from the naturalized bulbs and shrubs all over D.C., but that won't mean no work for beauty. Emilie Quast SE Como _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
