I went to Chicago for four days and this happened. I’m so sad I missed it– the fire to beat all fires, burning the wetlands. The green parts of the prairie were burned two weeks ago, and as you can see they’re already greening up nicely. The fescue paths are behind schedule, so there’s this wonderful palette right now of yellow, green and black.
The wetlands used to be a wild snarl of Reed Canary Grass, buckthorn, thistles, scrubby trees, cattails, and other stuff. It was a dramatic burn. In the description Steve talked about large trees “torching— or no, they call it candling.” Well, I can imagine what those words describe. Because there have been a few fires that got away from people in recent weeks, Steve was extra careful afterwards, and he and Jeff cut down some of the dead trees that were still smoldering inside.
My biggest fear was for the sandhill cranes. But one flew over even as I was photographing.
I am wondering if they have relocated to a more guarded area by the large pond. They are wonderful hiders, though, and there is still that patch of grass around the open water. The frogs submerged until after the fire moved through and within 15 minutes they were singing their courting songs again.
This time of year I wish I knew more about foraging. I look at some of the raised beds that are filling with weeds, and think with different eyes I would be able to see the edible greens. I have a book ordered, Midwest Foraging by Lisa Rose of Grand Rapids, Michigan, but it won’t be out until June.
It’s OK, because over these four days the greens and radishes in the cold frame did a lot of growing. In a couple weeks– before May 1st!– I’ll have some fancy greens and a crop of radishes.
It’s going to be a cold week, so I’m not moving the brassicas out of their pots and into a bed yet. But today, Steve is clearing ground behind the garden for the chicken coop and pen. Because the burn extended along the fence line behind my garden, things are looking clear and nearly civilized back there. The barrier is gone between my garden and the large farm field next to our property.
And I’m happy to report that even the chickens are happier. They love the new cage that the can see through. They spend the whole day jumping and chasing each other from one side to the other. Making me ask that age old question, “Why did the chicken cross the cage?” They really do seem to have no rhyme or reason. They are also looking much more grown up even after four days.
I had a really great time in Chicago these past four days. A particular highlight was visiting the three fifth grade writing classes at Coonley School. I talked to the kids about poetry– and they shared with me what they already knew, which was QUITE a lot, I’m happy to say. And we wrote together, which was very fun, too. I’ve come back and already started looking for other fifth graders! That was my favorite time in school (4-6 grade), and it’s quite heartening to be with a group of lively kids who get so excited to write poems.