Hi all and Happy Spring!
A few quick items, both FYI and HELP NEEDED:
1. For those of you that didn't already make use of last weekend's warm weather
to cut down last year's growth, please remember that some butterflies do overwinter
in MN (in various forms, as I understand it, depending on the species). For example,
there may be eggs hiding under the leaves or in the cracks and crevices of the
standing dead growth, as well as on twigs and in the bark of trees. I asked Pat
Thomas, President of the local chapter of the North American Butterfly Association
(NABA) for advice on cleaning the garden in a butterfly-friendly manner. Here
is what she suggests:
Usually I wait till early-mid may when soil is ready to work to cut down. This
year seems a lot earlier. Place all plant materials near the compost pile (or
some other area)-do not cover it or bag it-so insects can crawl out eventually.
I'd be more than happy to give a talk on this type of gardening to wo-let me
know.
2. There are all sorts of events coming up at which Wild Ones has been invited
to have a display. This is a great way to advertise WO and communicate the idea
of incorporating native plants in our landscapes. We also make $$$ through selling
the Oslund's "What's Doin' the Bloomin'?" book.
Please let me know if you would be willing to help with any of these.
Saturday, April 16: Gardening Conference at Hermantown High School. I'm going
by memory here, but I believe this is the one put on by the local master gardeners
and the Exension Service. The goal is to have the display set up before the noon
lunch break. If anyone is attending the conf, they can set it up anytime before
then.
Saturday, April 23, 11-4:00 Earth Day Fair at the site of the Duluth Farmers
Market (we may or may not have signed up for this ... but in case we did or we
still can, I thought I'd ask)
Saturday, April 30: Duluth Garden Flower Society's Spring Gardening Conference:
Includes over 20 Gardening Seminars and a Gardener's Market Location: Lake Superior
College, 2101 Trinity Road, Duluth, MN see this web site for a brochure and registration
form. I am not actually 100% sure we can put up our display, but if someone is
available to staff it, I will try to set it up. http://www.dgfs.us/dgfs2005conf.pdf
June 4th, 10:00 - 3;00: the Watershed Festival hosted by the Regional Stormwater
Protection Team is looking for participation from groups like Wild Ones that
promote activities that help protect storm water. It will be located in the Kmart
parking lot at 1734 Mall Drive.
Other HELP NEEDED things: I am still looking for someone to help coordinate volunteers
to maintain our community garden.
3. Other DATES to add to your calendar:
April 24th (correction; April 27th) = the next Wild Ones meeting at 6:30
at Hartley Nature Center. Program: suggestions for substituting native plants
for common perennials
Saturday, May 28th 8am DGFS Annual Plant Sale Plants and garden paraphernalia
for sale by numerous Garden Clubs Location: Leif Erikson Rose Gardens parking
lot IF YOU ARE GROWING PLANTS FROM SEED OR HAVE PERENNIALS TO DIVIDE THAT YOU
WOULD BE WILLING TO DONATE TO THE WILD ONES CLUB TO SELL, PLEASE LET ME KNOW.
Thanks! Carol Andrews 730-9954
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