Property bordering KPVillas influences efforts to contain invasive plants here. To identify issues with the St. Joseph County (SJC) parcel due south of the KPVA retention pond, a specialist from State of Indiana Cooperative Invasives Management (SICIM) conducted an interim survey. The County has given KPVillas permission to tackle invasive plants on the County's adjacent property.
SICIM Regional Specialist Ronda Spaulding walked the SJC property on April 2 with some KPVA homeowners and pointed out the good, the bad, and the ugly. Because several plants were nearly barren with no leaves to help identify them, a follow-up visit will need to confirm a few question marks.
On April 14, a volunteer KPVillas homeowner cut and stump treated some invasive honeysuckle, roundleaf bittersweet, and multi-floral rose. Instructions from the SICIM suggest several of the remaining invasives are best treated by "cut surface" in later months, so further action there is on hold until June. However, garlic mustard and motherwort can be pulled by hand anytime.
On the upside, the survey found some "good natives," including Red Osier dogwood, possible Ninebark, and violets.
If you'd like to help maintain KPVillas by removing invasive plants on KPVA property or SJC property, or you have input on next steps, please contact Chuck Bueter.
