Advantages of an Unkempt Lawn

On a short mown lawn, boringly green,  you do not get to see these. The orange flowers are Hieracium aurantiacum, which is to my mind the most handsome dandelion relative growing here. It is also an endangered plant in CZ so we are mowing the lawn in a way as to allow them to flourish. There are only a few patches around where it prospers.

©Charly, all rights reserved. Click for full size.

Jack’s Walk

©voyager, all rights reserved

©voyager, all rights reserved

These 2 small ponds belong to a sand and gravel company who have dug down far enough to hit the water table. The front pond’s been around for many years and has naturalized into the landscape. As well, the owners have stocked it with fish. The rear pond is only a few years old and is oddly lighter in colour than the one in front. I suspect this is because it doesn’t have either plants or fish yet.

Many years ago people used to bring their dogs to swim in the front pond. The water was always clean, fresh and cold and it was one of Jack’s favourite places. Then the owners began excavating here again and the gates were locked. Poor Jack lost the one swimming hole that always had good water quality. The caution sign is new this year and whether it’s true or not, it seems pretty effective.