Author Archives: hdomke

Farmhouse Burns Down

The Old Farmhouse at the PGT On a bitter cold night in 2004 the old farmhouse that my mother lived in burned to the ground. The cause was thought to be a faulty heater. That old building site is where … Continue reading

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Posted in Events, Visitor Center | 1 Comment

I never knew it would be this messy!

Matt Barnes throwing a log in the fire yesterday. Gardens need to be weeded to be beautiful. Plants need to be thinned so that the remaining ones are healthier. Unwelcome plants need to we weeded out. It was with this … Continue reading

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Posted in Land management, Timber Stand Improvement, Trees & shrubs, Woods | 1 Comment

Planting Ginseng

American ginseng, (Panax quinquefolius) We only have a few wild Ginseng plants at the PGT so I’ve been out planting seeds. Ginseng used to be common but it is so valuable as herbal medicine that it was over harvested. The … Continue reading

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Posted in Flowers | 1 Comment

Joan Died today

Joan Domke, 1922-2012 My mother died today. She was the co-founder of the PGT. She had a stroke three-weeks ago which left her bed-bound. We honored her wishes and kept her at home here at the PGT. Visitation will be … Continue reading

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Posted in Events & People | 3 Comments

New Bird: Common Redpoll

Common Redpoll, (Carduelis flammea) Redpolls are rare in Missouri, so I yelled out when I saw one at our feeder today. This is the first time the bird has been seen at the PGT! I had there very close looks … Continue reading

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Posted in Birds | 1 Comment

Backburn by the Cemetery Field

Duncan and Matt started doing controlled burns again today. It had been too wet for the last couple months. Burning is one of the key management tools on the 600-acres at the PGT.

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Posted in Burns, Land management | Leave a comment

Cedar Christmas Tree

Eastern Red-cedar, (Juniperus virginiana) Cedars make great Christmas trees. They look good and they smell good. Every year we harvest one from the PGT. The biggest problem I’ve had with them is that they look a lot smaller in field … Continue reading

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Posted in Trees & shrubs | Leave a comment

Dogwood in Snow

Flowering Dogwood, (Cornus florida) The PGT does not get much snow, so when it happens I rush out to take advantage of the way it simplifies the landscape. This dogwood picture was taken late last winters, just before buds started … Continue reading

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Posted in Trees & shrubs, Weather, Woods | Leave a comment

Joan had a stroke

Joan had a mild stroke last night. It has affected the left side of her body. We are trying to arrange for 24-hour to keep her at home since that is her wish. Joan has lived on the PGT property … Continue reading

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Posted in Events & People | 4 Comments

Prairie Blazing Star

Prairie Blazing Star, (Liatris pycnostachya) Prairie blazing star is an ornamental native prairie plant that is showy in many seasons. The dried stems create attractive textures and patterns.

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