When I think of the word bog, what automatically comes to mind is the “Bog of Eternal Stench” from the cult classic movie the Labyrinth. If any reader is old enough to know this movie and have watched it, you will know what I reference. For those who have not …
Wooded swamps have soils that drain poorly and are dominated by hardwood and conifer trees. They are typically formed in ancient lake basins and retired riverine oxbows (Eggers and Reed, 2015). They have highly saturated soil and may have up to a foot of standing water. You will find these …
Shrub swamps have peaty soil and are dominated by shrubs. Shrub swamps receive water from both surface and groundwater sources and occur along slow-moving streams, drainage depressions and floodplains. You will find alder, willow, buttonbrush and dogwood. (photo credit: MN DNR). The difference between a marsh and a swamp really boils …
How can you determine where a wetland stops and a lake begins? That can be a tricky question, especially when you are considering shallow open water wetlands. To answer to that question, one must look at two factors: the depth of the water and the vegetation. Shallow open water wetlands …
Did you know that wild rice is the official state grain of Minnesota? So popular and abundant in Minnesota that every year for the past 70+ years, Deer River, MN has held the largest Wild Rice Festival. And do you know where it thrives the best? All snuggled in a …
What do you think of when you hear the word wetland? I think it would be safe to say that most people picture shallow marshes. Shallow marshes are waterlogged during the early stages of the growing season. In addition, they are almost consistently covered with six to eighteen inches of …
When you think of a wet meadow, what comes to mind? Is it a sea of long grasses swaying in the breeze? It is a picturesque view of cattle or horses grazing lazily on a beautiful summer’s day? Or is it a wet spot that you’d love to do something …
Do you know about seasonally flooded wetlands? It would be safe to say that most people are aware of these spots but may not be aware that they are actually wetlands. Almost 90% of Mille Lacs County has seasonally saturated soil and some of that would be considered protected wetlands. …
Juneberry is a medium to tall, suckering shrub that will reach 6-15 feet tall and 5-12 feet wide. It prefers lightly moist to moist soils, but tolerates sand and clay. Juneberry producers white flowers in the spring and edible purple fruit in summer. The fruit can be eaten fresh or …
Chris Carlson is a No-Till Master! Look at those beans planted in 2018 in Mille Lacs County!
