We're going to hosting a booth at the Green Day Expo at the Monona Terrace this Saturday April 25th. This is a great time to stop by and meet us in person to discuss native landscaping and ecological restoration... or just say "Hi".
Furthermore, Frank will be giving a presentation at a break-out session at 3pm titled: "Native Plants for a Sustainable Landscape". He will discuss the environmental benefits of landscaping with native plants and offer advice as to how you can go about adding natives to your home or business landscape.
We hope you can make it!
Good Oak News
Monday, April 20, 2009
Monday, April 6, 2009
Good Oak Wildflower Walk Schedule for Spring 2009
We've finalized the Good Oak Wildflower Walk schedule for April, May and June. For any of these hikes, be sure to wear appropriate clothing such as long pants and sturdy boots. Also bring with you any water or snacks you might need. Contact Frank for meeting location and more information.
And with that said, here is the schedule:
Tuesday, 4/21, 6-8pm Early spring ephemerals hike at the UW Arboretum
Sunday, 4/26, 1-6pm Early prairie wildflowers at Walking Iron Prairie
Tuesday 5/5, 6-8pm Woodland spring ephemerals at the UW Arboretum
Sunday, 5/10, 1-6pm Rare spring wildflowers of Abraham's Woods
Tuesday, 5/19, 6-8pm Woodland spring ephemerals at Cherokee Marsh
Sunday, 5/31, 1-6pm Wildflowers of Blue Mounds and Pleasant Valley
Tuesday, 6/9, 6-8pm Wildflowers of Koltes and Ripp Prairies
Saturday, 6/20, 1-6pm Wood Lily extravaganza at Black Earth Rettenmund Prairie
Tuesday, 6/23, 6-8pm Grady Tract and Green Prairie of the UW Arboretum
Contact Frank Hassler at frank goodoakllc.com or 209-0607 for meeting location and more information.
And with that said, here is the schedule:
Tuesday, 4/21, 6-8pm Early spring ephemerals hike at the UW Arboretum
Sunday, 4/26, 1-6pm Early prairie wildflowers at Walking Iron Prairie
Tuesday 5/5, 6-8pm Woodland spring ephemerals at the UW Arboretum
Sunday, 5/10, 1-6pm Rare spring wildflowers of Abraham's Woods
Tuesday, 5/19, 6-8pm Woodland spring ephemerals at Cherokee Marsh
Sunday, 5/31, 1-6pm Wildflowers of Blue Mounds and Pleasant Valley
Tuesday, 6/9, 6-8pm Wildflowers of Koltes and Ripp Prairies
Saturday, 6/20, 1-6pm Wood Lily extravaganza at Black Earth Rettenmund Prairie
Tuesday, 6/23, 6-8pm Grady Tract and Green Prairie of the UW Arboretum
Contact Frank Hassler at frank goodoakllc.com or 209-0607 for meeting location and more information.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Report from the first wildflower walk of 2009
We had a wonderful early-spring walk in the UW Arboretum on Thursday. Though there is little other apparent plant activity this early in the spring, we found mosses, ferns and wood avens all green and actively taking in energy from the sun along the side of the trail. And as we hiked along we listened to the soundtrack provided by dozens of species of singing birds, ranging from red-bellied woodpeckers to sandhill cranes to the common cardinal.
When we finally made it to Skunk Cabbage Bridge, the skunk cabbage was in full bloom and their unique fragrance filled the air along the gentle stream where you can find them. For those not familiar with the plant, here is a photo I took last year of some flowers that melted their way through the heavy snow cover:
Our next wildflower walk will be in mid-April. We'll post our full schedule for spring and early summer here soon, so stay tuned.
When we finally made it to Skunk Cabbage Bridge, the skunk cabbage was in full bloom and their unique fragrance filled the air along the gentle stream where you can find them. For those not familiar with the plant, here is a photo I took last year of some flowers that melted their way through the heavy snow cover:
Our next wildflower walk will be in mid-April. We'll post our full schedule for spring and early summer here soon, so stay tuned.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
First Good Oak Wildflower Walk, Thursday March 26th
Spring is finally on its way, and so we announce our first wildflower walk of the season. On Thursday March 26th at 6pm, join us at the UW Arboretum and explore some of the first signs of spring. Chief among these will be a visit to a patch of skunk cabbage. This unique plant is the first to bloom each spring with flowers that can even melt away snow above it as it sprouts.
We'll meet at the Wingra Springs parking lot. From the Mill street entrance take Arboretum Drive past the residential area and up the hill through Gallistel Woods. The parking lot is at the top of the hill.
Hope to see you there!
We'll meet at the Wingra Springs parking lot. From the Mill street entrance take Arboretum Drive past the residential area and up the hill through Gallistel Woods. The parking lot is at the top of the hill.
Hope to see you there!
Monday, February 9, 2009
Now Selling: Kane County Wild Plants and Natural Areas book
We are now selling Kane County Wild Plants and Natural Areas by Dick Young, a premium plant identification book, both locally in the Madison area or online at Amazon.com for those of you further afield. Just $18 if you buy it directly from Frank, with free delivery in Dane County, or $20 online.
Come visit our booth (#117) at the Garden Expo at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, WI on February 13-15th to pick up a copy.
This is, by far, my favorite plant identification book. Sure, you might say I'm a bit bias because Kane County, about 40 miles west of Chicago, is where I grew up. But its much more than that. Brief but apt descriptions, written in plain English, along side simple yet detailed drawings make identification easy for anyone. Since this book ONLY has species found in the wild in Kane County you know that every plant in the book is likely to be found in our local area. This is in contrast to broad regional guides like Peterson's and Newcomb's which contain many (if not the majority of) plant species which are not found locally.
Furthermore, because it has EVERY species of wild plant in Kane County it is also superior to books that focus only on a particular group of plants such as trees, grasses or only those that live in prairies. Though there may be a few rare species in your area which just don't happen to grow in Kane County, the vast majority of the plants you will find as far south as Urbana Illinois and as far north as Madison Wisconsin will be in this book.
-Frank
Come visit our booth (#117) at the Garden Expo at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, WI on February 13-15th to pick up a copy.
This is, by far, my favorite plant identification book. Sure, you might say I'm a bit bias because Kane County, about 40 miles west of Chicago, is where I grew up. But its much more than that. Brief but apt descriptions, written in plain English, along side simple yet detailed drawings make identification easy for anyone. Since this book ONLY has species found in the wild in Kane County you know that every plant in the book is likely to be found in our local area. This is in contrast to broad regional guides like Peterson's and Newcomb's which contain many (if not the majority of) plant species which are not found locally.
Furthermore, because it has EVERY species of wild plant in Kane County it is also superior to books that focus only on a particular group of plants such as trees, grasses or only those that live in prairies. Though there may be a few rare species in your area which just don't happen to grow in Kane County, the vast majority of the plants you will find as far south as Urbana Illinois and as far north as Madison Wisconsin will be in this book.
-Frank
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