Julie Ann shares the steps she's taken in her campaign to raise awareness of the hard-to-kill plant in her neighborhood
7/30/2024
Talking with the Neighbors
I have been actively talking to our neighbors about Creeping Bellflower (CBF) whenever possible. One of them was wondering what those purple flowers growing so well in his alley were. I told him and then pointed out some growing in his front yard as well. Sometimes this inspires them to take action but I haven’t seen action from every neighbor.
I pulled CBF in a number of neighbors’ yards. (With their permission!) This often caused them to begin pulling CBF from their own yards and gardens. With my help, some neighbors began using their first round of chemicals and another began using their Weed Eater in an effort to control CBF.
Community Signage
Sarah, our daughter with a Graphic Design degree designed the informational yard sign, WANTED FOR CRIMES AGAINST GARDENS. We placed two signs up in our chain link fence on our corner. Other neighbors put them up in their own yards.
The QR code in the lower right hand corner of the sign links to a CBF resource pages that I am building that has 3 basic sections:
Subjects to Search
Resources
Additional Resources
Hosting a Social/Educational Neighborhood Event
On July 12, we set up a card table at the south entrance to the District 10 Ice Cream Social, 5:30-8 pm. We had two informational yard signs in front of our table. We had a goldfish bowl with soil in it and added cut CBF stalks to make a “bouquet” of sorts. I wore my MG shirt and hat and carried a 3-ring binder with information from the QR code on the informational yard sign was available to direct neighbors with their specific questions.
William, my husband, was the greeter and drew many people to our card table. Sarah has learned much about CBF since creating the informational yard sign. She and I answered a variety of neighbors’ questions.
Neighbors often swiped the QR code on the informational yard sign. Many people were not aware that CBF was an invasive non-native weed. They recognized the purple flower.
I informed many people that CBF was edible: the basal leaves were highly nutritious and high in fiber; often steamed. Some people placed flowers on salads. Some roast the tubers like they roast parsnips. Told people about the Ask a Master Gardener and the Facebook Creeping Battles sites.
Also mentioned to people that I am trying a 3-4 yr manual process for the first time. Details are in the Key in section J.
Neighborhood Pulling Parties
Neighborhood Pulling Parties were suggested in the Facebook Creeping Bellflowers Battle site. On July 12, Megan posted this comment about having a weed pulling party: "Can you post to your local community page that you're having a weed pulling party. Byob, potluck the snacks and get to know thy neighbor while also helping you all out?"
One great neighbor said she is in the process of getting some neighbors together to pull CBF. I asked her to take pictures before, during and after.
I sent her thanks today, assuming that she was involved in the pulling of at least one neighbor’s boulevard and front lawn.
I asked other neighbors to do small pulling parties.
Connecting to Park/community staff
A neighbor asked me for the contact info of someone around Como Lake. She saw a patch around the lake’s southeast quadrant. I texted her that I had also seen CBF along the east side of Hamline, west side of Como Park.
Our Executive Director, Shevek McKee of District 10 Community Council had given me the name Tricia Wherle, tricia.wehrle@ci.stpaul.mn.us who might be able to get us some supplies, like thick black trash bags.
Bookmarks for a Little Free Library
Jan Fransen (RCMG) is in the process of sharing her "Creeping Bellflower is CREEPY" bookmarks in her St. Anthony neighborhood in her Little Free Library. She adapted a handout from a file Lisa Niles posted in the Creeping Bellflower Battles Facebook group.
Download Jan's "Creeping Bellflower is CREEPY" bookmarks
Download Jan's "Creeping Bellflower is CREEPY" poster
Julie Ann Wegscheid
RCMG Volunteer