Broadleaf Arrowhead (Sagittaria latifolia) Wapato!

(Broadleaf Arrowhead growing in the CSR Colorado Nursery Facility)

This aquatic is closely related to Water Plantain. In mud, rhizomes produce starchy tubers, utilized by ducks and muskrats and known as duck potatoes. The plant was once an important source of food for Native Americans, and Wapato is one of the names they gave it. The genus name comes from sagitta, Latin for arrow, referring to the shape of the leaves of some species. (reference)

Seed Cleaning and Grading Equipment Sale

CSR purchased the warehouse building of the out of business Intermountain Bean Company, Inc., Kimberly ID and we have no need for the equipment.

For a listing of the equipment, click HERE.

Click HERE to view pictures of the sorting equipment we have for sale.

Asking sale price $150,000.00 OBO

Buyer responsible for removal & shipping. We can assist with transportation and labor.

Nursery & Soil Handling Equipment

In addition to the seed cleaning and grading equipment, we have the following soil handling equipment:

Elevator
Small Mixing Drum
Large Mixing Drum
Potting Equipment Drum
Roller Table

Click HERE to view pictures of the soil handling equipment we have for sale.

Please contact Shane Riddle with any questions (208) 490-0403, shane@csr-inc.com

Native Plant Focus:Tradescantia occidentalis, Prairie Spiderwort

(Prairie Spiderwort photographed here growing in the CSR Colorado Nursery -formerly known as Rocky Mountain Native Plants)

Native Plant Focus: Prairie spiderwort/Western Spiderwort, Tradescantia occidentalis, was named after John Tradescant (1608-1662) who served as gardener to Charles 1 of England. The erect, branching stems of this perennial are up to 2 ft. tall. Its leaves are long and narrow with a whitish bloom. Several flowers, in clusters at stem or branch ends, are subtended by bracts similar to the leaves. There are three blue-violet petals and six stamens with yellow anthers. Flowers close by mid-day and last only one day. Western Spiderwort was used by Native Americans as a cooked vegetable.

Grow in moist, well-drained soil, in sun or light shade. A long-flowering plant for an herbaceous border. Protect young growth from slugs.

Reference: Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower

PhotoTour of the CSR Native Plant Farm, Southern Idaho

First National Moth Week, July 23-29, 2012

On July 28th, 2012 CSR Biologists Kelly Tindall and Kent Fothergill will be hosting MOTH NIGHT at the City of Rocks National Reserve. This event is open to the public and will be at campsite 17 in the Smokey Mountain Campground after dark. See you there!

Why moths? With more than 10,000 species in North America alone, moths offer endless options for study, education, photography, and fun. Moths can be found everywhere from inner cities and suburban backyards, to the most wild and remote places. The diversity of moths is simply astounding. Their colors and patterns range from bright and dazzling, to so cryptic that they define camouflage. Moth shapes and sizes span the gamut, with some as small as a pinhead and others as large as a hand. Most moths are nocturnal and need to be sought at night to be seen, but others fly like butterflies during the day. Finding moths can be as simple as leaving a porch light on and checking it after dark. Serious moth aficionados use special lights and baits to attract them. Popular interest in moths is rapidly growing, as noted by recent publications and web-based resources. The new Peterson Field Guide to the Moths by David Beadle and Seabrooke Leckie, moth caterpillar guides by David Wagner, and a vast number of moth-oriented Internet resources such as the “Moth Photographers Group” and “BugGuide” are just some examples of moth’s growing popularity. Moths are also featured widely in literature and art providing a different angle for enjoyment and study. “Moth Nights”are often held by nature groups, and provide an opportunity for either an introduction to the creatures, or a venue for more serious pursuits.

National Moth Week brings together everyone interested in moths to celebrate these amazing insects. This summer, groups and individuals from all the across the country will spend some time during National Moth Week looking for moths and sharing what they’ve found. Getting involved during National Moth Week is easy: attend a National Moth Night event, start an event, join friends and neighbors to check porch lights from time to time, set up a light and see what is in your own backyard, or read literature about moths, etc. nationalmothweek.org

CSR Donates to the 2012 Sagebrush Soiree

Come to THE party of the year, July 28th 2012! Each year the Sagebrush Soiree is the primary fundraising event for the Sawtooth Society. Held at various homes throughout the Sawtooth Valley it is a wonderful way to meet others who love the region and want to give something back. Come join in the fun and music! Many wonderful auction items have once again been donated -including a donation from Conservation Seeding and Restoration, Inc.

The Sawtooth National Recreation Area comprises 756,000 acres of public and private land in central Idaho. It contains 50 snowcapped peaks, each exceeding 10,000 feet; 500 alpine lakes; numerous lush meadows, countless species of wildlife, and remnants of our pioneer heritage. 

For tickets call the Sawtooth Society office at 208.721.2909

Auction item donated by CSR, Inc:

On-site Planning and Product.
Steven Paulsen, CEO of Conservation Seeding and Restoration Inc., is a trained range, watershed, and stewardship expert who also has stakes in the Sawtooth NRA and a passion for it. CSR, Inc. is dedicated to the science of establishing and restoring ecologically healthy habitats with native plants. Steven will come to your site, be it wild or suburban, and provide four hours of consultation and a $500.00 gift certificate towards any retail product (in stock) to enhance your habitat or provide edible landscaping. These native plants are incredibly beautiful and easy to care for. Tap into Steven’s extensive knowledge, from design to planting to stewardship. You and neighboring wildlife will reap the benefits of this auction item for years to come! Value: $1,200

Photo above was taken the summer of 2009 when CSR completed a weed eradication project along the Salmon River Corridor.

Plant Collection in Colorado

CSR recently collected cuttings of Park Willow (Salix monticola) and Narrowleaf Cottonwood (Populus angustifolia) from the Ridgway, Colorado area. Beautiful country out there in Colorado, makes for a nice day in the “office”.

Hummingbird & Butterfly Native Seed Mix

Hummingbird & Butterfly Native Seed Mix: A wonderful mix of flowering species that attract and support native wildlife such as hummingbirds and butterflies. Appropriate for small spaces in full sun with some supplemental water in Southern Idaho and Northern Utah.

Mix includes: Sulfur Buckwheat (Eriogonum umbellatum), Blue Flax (Linum lewisii), available Penstemon species (Penstemon sp), Sticky Purple Geranium (Geranium viscosissimum), Silky Lupine (Lupinus sericeus), and Scarlet Globemallow (Sphaeralcea coccinea).

Plant during early spring or late fall, 250-300 seeds per packet, plant to a depth of 1/4″ in full sun to part shade, low to moderate water requirement, maximum height of 2′

Visit the CSR website for more native plants and seed mixes!

Native Wildflower Coloring Books!

Pages taken from the ‘Wildflowers of Southwest Idaho‘ coloring book. The Idaho State Flower: Mock Orange, Philadelphus lewisii, and Scarlet Gilia, Ipomopsis aggregata.

Did you know the US Forest Service offers coloring books for Native Wildflowers? Each coloring book includes information about the wildflowers and drawings to color. You can print the entire coloring book or just the pages you want to color, from ‘California Plants‘ to ‘Wildflowers of Ponderosa Pine Forests‘. Celebrate Native Wildflowers!

Hedysarum boreale, Northern Sweetvetch

Northern Sweetvetch ranges from the Canadian arctic tundra into the southern Rockies. It is fairly common in the high plains, especially in the Rocky Mountain region, where it grows in fine textured, often clayey soils. It flowers in early summer or late spring. This species is not poisonous and, in fact, was historically collected and eaten by Indians. The roots especially are tasty (licorice-like) and nutritious.

Reference: Sagebrush Country: A Wildflower Sanctuary