How to “eco-whack”

One day when weedeating, a praying mantis flew up and it got me thinking about the ecosystem I was plowing through. I had already taken out vetch, clover, lupine (all nitrogen soil injectors) and many wildflowers. I knew it was time to do something different!

Here’s what you can do:

1) In winter, evenly space out oak limbs. In spring leave grass islands around the limbs. This is where the critters will flee. This setup will also serve as a wildlife corridor for foraging birds like quail.

2) Watch where patches of wildflowers pop up. Cut them down once they have gone to seed. Let leaves of larger wildflowers be reabsorbed into the roots for next years bloom.