Tackling Invasive Plants: Cut, Dig, Pull, Repeat!
A frequently heard question in discussions about invasive plants is “How do we get rid of them?” The answer is simple, but not easy: cut, dig, pull, repeat. Monitor the area for re-growth, then cut, dig, pull and repeat! Plants from away become invasive because they...
Lovely Loosestrife: a Purple Problem
What is Loosestrife? Standing tall along streams, roadsides and marshes, purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) is easily spotted in the summer months with its erect, purple spikes. The square stem, like all mint family plants, is sturdy, growing 3’ to 10’ in height....
Invasives out => Natives in!
The Harpswell Invasive Plant Partnership (HIPP) has made significant progress in reducing invasive plants at Johnson Field Preserve on Bailey Island. Thanks to the annual efforts of HIPP’s many volunteers, large swaths of non-native wisteria have been removed from the...
Spring Work Plans for HIPP
Our season gets underway on Saturday, May 4 at the Curtis Farm Preserve (1554 Harpswell Neck Road, Harpswell). Work begins at 8:30 a.m. near the parking area off Route 123. We plan to work until 11:30 a.m. cutting back the dead invasive shrubs that were treated last...
Spring is Here, it’s time to get to work on invasive plants!
As plants begin to leaf out, the earliest to show green are usually invasive plants. Shrub honeysuckle and Japanese barberry are two of the earliest to bud out. Japanese knotweed begins to show reddish-green sprouts in late April and early May, and soon the garlic...
Doug Tallamy to speak on Zoom January 24
Maine Audubon and the Garden Club Federation of Maine are partnering to bring Doug Tallamy to Maine in a Zoom presentation on January 24 at 6:00 p.m. HIPP is offering a Zoom watch party at the Harpswell Heritage Land Trust office, 153 Harpswell Neck Road. Doors open...
Don’t Spread Invasives with Your Holiday Wreath
Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association reminds us all not to include invasive plant materials in our holiday decor. Some invasive plants, including bittersweet and multiflora rose, may be used in holiday wreaths and garlands. Purchasing decorations made with...
Curtis Farm Work Day Postponed
The rainy forecast for Saturday, October 21, has caused a postponement for our Curtis Farm work event. When the forecast is better, we will reschedule. In the meantime, keep on battling invasive plants. Autumn is a great time to spot the bittersweet (all those yellow...
Invasive Debris Goes up in Flames
On Friday the thirteenth, several HIPP volunteers joined forces with HHLT stewards to oversee a planned burn of the accumulated brush at Curtis Farm Preserve. For the last few seasons, HIPP has worked in an area north of the preserve's parking area near Williams...
We encourage you to contact HIPP with your questions about invasive plants and your observations of invasive plants in Harpswell. You can reach HIPP at [email protected] or by filling out the form below.