We had a very nice show, and a great turn out. Next show in the district will be West Jersey's next May or June, I'll post the date when it is set. Thanks to agardenstateof_mind, and the great staff at Deep Cut!

In a site this small, don't overlook the option of hand pulling some weeds and placing seedlings or transplants to add new species. I have a couple of smallish patches of weed-rich meadow that also include some desireable plants. To encourage the good plants, after a rain I go out and pull weeds that are crowding desirable plants. I don't try to eliminate all the weeds, instead just try to give the good plants room to grow and try to eliminate any weed that will really become a long-term problem. Weeds in this category include Canada Thistle, Crown Vetch, Spotted Knapweed, Garlic Mustard, and if I had any, definitely Japanese Knotweed. Most other weeds I pull only if they are crowding desireable plants. When I add a new species I generally start the seeds in six packs, then place seedlings. I find a spot that is all or mostly weeds, clear the weeds, and plant a patch of seedlings spaced appropriately for mature plants. Sometimes I mulch around the seedlings. Each year that goes by I get more and larger desirable plants and fewer weeds. This approach to establishing a prairie wouldn't work on a large scale but should be fine for 2500 square feet.

I am in the same boat. Live in the same area and I have a wooded area that I am trying to tackle. I have found a few plants that are doing well in the shade and sansy soil, Christmas fern, Rose of Sharon, which you find everywhere here, and lily of the vally, another plant that seems to be in the yard of older homes. Thank you for the above link Norhteast I will be using it. OH by the way a garden center in Waterford Nj has some of the natural plants for this area, it is Popes Gardens, I am not sure where you live but a great variety not expensive either.

Great day, lots of visitors. See you next year!