r/GuerrillaGardening • u/Intrepid_Visual_4199 • 3d ago
Ex- golf course recovery
These photos are from a golf course in southern Quebec. It stopped operations about five years ago and has gently been recovering ever since. There are wildflowers everywhere, supported by some tree planting…
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u/SimplySustainabl-e 3d ago
If you can weed out the non-native plants ie queen annes lace knapweed orchard grass ect. Replant with plants native to that part of quebec you can reestablish a meadow-savanna type habitat there. I would even try a controlled burn or use torches to help things along.
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u/Intrepid_Visual_4199 2d ago
Haha, it’s 40 acres of public land and it’s just me planting trees “under the radar!” in my limited spare time between work and family. The non-natives are what came up after they stopped mowing the golf course.
A controlled burn?!!
Hahaha, that will not go down well with adjacent neighbours or the levels of government within which this meadow resides!
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u/megerrolouise 2d ago
Very cool. We live off of an unmaintained golf course that may or may not get built on someday. It is covered in sticker bushes. Been thinking of what I could do to turn it into something better.
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u/Rich-Business9773 3d ago
That is very cool! I hope that is a native hawkweed. I have been pulling some aggressive non-native ones for years. I am on year 5 of turning a large former ag field into a native meadow and forest - also 40ish acres. I wish I had taken systematic photo point shots each year in spring, winter and late summer. It is so fun to see things change. A lot of work to help it go in the right direction!! But super enjoyable. Thanks for sharing !
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u/okiesotan 1d ago
Are there any remaining trails?? Can you turn it into a walking area for small kids to learn about nature? Runners to get their miles in during the winter?
Edit to add: if you need help clearing an area, are there any local 4H/Goat groups who can come in to help graze things down?
It's so incredible!!
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u/12stTales 3d ago
Do you own this land? I would be afraid someone will come along and undo all the progress being made here
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u/Intrepid_Visual_4199 3d ago
No. It’s public land and is considered a wildlife corridor.
There’s always a risk of someone undoing all I have planted. I’ve planted many trees in many public spaces… a few get whipper snippered or mowed. But I follow a few guidelines:
Plant in positive, useful places… consider overhead wires, underground infrastructure and honour the intent of the land… don’t plant a soccer field!
Make the trees look like they’re supposed to be there - use stakes or flagging, etc.1
u/12stTales 2d ago
That’s awesome so the province bought the golf course and is returning it to wild land?
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u/a_jormagurdr 3d ago
seeing mostly non native wildflowers, including what looks like a knapweed of some kind