Above: Mylar streamers will be planted by Breakneck Hill to protect seeds being sown. (contributed photo)
The Stewards of Breakneck Hill shared an update. The roadside by the big Conservation Land parcel is about to get trashier looking.
But don’t worry, it’s temporary, and important part of the process for converting the area to a “Roadside Meadow”.
Earlier this fall, Joyce Greenleef of the Stewardship Committee answered public questions and a complaint about the sad state of the roadside. She explained that the work interpreted as killing of wildflowers on the side of the road had been done to kill invasives. She explained the process for planting the area with native plants for the meadow. The intent is to benefit native pollinators. (You can read more about that here.)
Today, she provided an update on their work:
The Southborough Stewardship Committee is pleased to share that the seeds will soon be sown for the native meadow alongside the road at Breakneck Hill Conservation Land! Sowing in late fall provides the native seeds the cycles of freezing and thawing they need to germinate. The seeds include native grasses and flowers that are critically important for species headed to local extinction, and that will help preserve biodiversity. At the same time as sowing, mylar streamers will be installed. These streamers serve to protect the seeds from birds.
Answering my questions, she specified that the work is expected to begin with sowing in the next few days. The streamers will remain until germination in the spring. (And she provided the example photo.)
Again, you can learn more about the project and the work that the committee is conducting to protect the conservation land for public enjoyment here.
Updated (11/20/25 8:37 pm): I edited the post to fix and clarify some details.
