ACTIVITY LOG April 2024
ACTIVITY LOG April 2024
Written By Kathy Ann Reid on June 2, 2024
April 2, 2024
Special trip by GW and BAS to water all planted plants.
April 5, 2024
After we purchased the plants, GW took them home to water and nurture and brought them to the cemetery as we prepared the ground and were ready to plant. On Glover Planting Day No. 2, GW, BAS, TD and KAR prepared more ground, by turning soil over and pulling out plants and roots. One person worked on an 2’x4’ area that was full of (probably) Kleberg Blue Stem for 2 whole hours. The largest area already cleared and cleaned of roots was the area that had been taken over by ants. Most of the remaining plants were planted using purchased top soil with the existing dirt and mulch added on top. All plants were watered using water brought in plastic jugs (milk, kitty litter, liquid laundry soap) and BAS brought his ice chest full of water. Noticed several dead limbs in a tree near the gate that could fall on the gate and the large limb on the standing snag. GW mentioned that the snag needs to be shortened at some point. A neighborhood man (JR) stopped to talk after a member of Urbandale United Association told him that we were working at the cemetery. He suggested LS Tree Service to remove the dead limbs. Called and agreed to meet for estimate. Bought 2 more bags of topsoil.
April 7, 2024
Plant watering report by GW: Watered all new plants with the exception of the Blackfoot Daises since they appear to be doing well. This watering is done using the plastic jugs which have been filled at home.
April 9, 2024
A good rain watered all plants. Glad we planted already so the plants can get established before summer.
April 12, 2024
TD asked on FB for volunteers from her gardening group to help remove privet. They volunteered information (contact Van at Western Heights), but not physical help. I said tell them we already know Van.
April 13, 2024
Second Saturday Volunteer Day we finished planting the few remaining plants. Mowed around tombstones and watered where needed. BAS found an additional tombstone that was slightly underground and we dug around it to expose. Virtually every time we meet, someone digs up privet.
April 14, 2024
GW watered all new plants and took a picture of a Rainbow Scarb beetle sitting on mulch. Internet info says that it is beneficial rather than harmful. KAR met the owners of LS Tree Service who said they would start working the next day, since the location of their house is nearby.
April 15, 2024
LS Tree Service cut the limbs and stacked outside gate as agreed. Sent pictures to verify. Created a project on iNaturalist for W. W. Glover Cemetery, but was unable to set the boundaries and we educated ourselves on what was expected on the survey day. Got familiar with the paper form.
April 16, 2024
KAR watered all new plants.
April 19, 2024
Met to water where needed, tidy up around plantings and tombstones.
April 24, 2024
Survey demo at Oakland.
April 26, 2024
Met for last work before the Pioneer Picnic.
April 27, 2024
Pioneer Picnic with around 30 people attending and approving of our work at the cemetery. Attendees included 5 children. Wind and rain storm during night.
April 29, 2024
BAS, GW, and KAR arrived to do the flower pollinator surveys to find a large oak tree near the north east corner had fallen, with branches blocking the alley way and having bent the top rail of the chain link fence. Did pollinator and flower survey on three 25’x25’ areas timing one hour for flowers and one hour for polinators.
April 30, 2023
BAS, JC, GW arrived early with chain saw to take tree branches our out of alleyway. Neighbors wanting to drive out, waited for them to get it cleared. TD, JD, KAR came later to help. BAS took brush on trailer to his land to dispose of. The trunk and some branches were left for a horizontal snag. The tree appeared to have no roots to hold it into the ground!