Helping Small Trees Thrive this Spring

Volunteer Opportunity with the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission

Sunday, March 11 from 9 a.m. to Noon-“Helping Small Trees Thrive This Spring”-

We will be preparing 250 small trees to thrive this spring with watering, mulching and weeding.  Scott’s Cove, 11000 Harding Road, Laurel

For more information, visit the WSSC website.

Endangered Species in your own backyard?

We are on the last days of our trip to Jackson Hole, Wyoming. We come out here often for several reasons. First, its a great place to ski, and my husband LOVES to ski. But its also a great place to view wildlife, which is what I usually do to fill my time while we are here. On the day we arrived, we saw moose, bighorn sheep, coyotes, elk and mule deer, all on the short 45 minute drive from the airport to our condo.

Tonight we are hoping to attend a lecture by Joel Sartore, a National Geographic photographer who uses his superb photographs to deliver his important message: We are living in a pivotal time, when many species are on the edge of extinction and ecosystems are on the brink of collapse.

“Most can be saved,” Sartore says, “but you have to know they exist.”

To make his point, Sartore  uses photos of some of the more notable and recognizable endangered species.  But the truth is, there any many endangered species all around us. Perhaps some as close as our own backyards.

If you get a chance, take a look at Sartore’s website to see some of his spectacular photos. And then, take the time to learn about some of the endangered species where you live. And consider that perhaps, maybe the things you are doing in your own landscape are part of the problem…or part of the future solution….for these local species.

As Sartore says: "...if we just pay a little attention, many of these species can be saved. But we have to see them, we have to respect them."

Endangered Species: Plants and Animals, Maryland
Threatened, Endangered, Sensitive, and Other "Species of Concern" in Virginia
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: Endangered Species Program

Leap Day great time to “Leap” towards more water savings

The EPA Watersense program is encouraging people to use Leap Day as a reminder to checkout irrigation systems to make sure that they aren’t wasting water.

Here is an excerpt from the Winter 2012 Issue of The WaterSense Current

Do you have a landscape watering system with preset controls? Experts estimate that as much as 50 percent of water applied by irrigation systems is wasted due to overwatering caused by inefficiencies! 

Leap Day, February 29, is a great time to stop and use a few of those extra minutes to check your irrigation system’s control settings and schedules. 
 
It’s important to adjust your irrigation controller based on the season; in most climates, plants don’t need summer levels of watering during the rest of the year. A simple check and adjustment can ensure that your system operates at its maximum efficiency. 
 
If your system uses a traditional clock timer, you may want to consider installing a WaterSense labeled irrigation controller, which uses local weather data to automatically adjust watering schedules and systems to better match plants’ water needs. WaterSense recently released a final specification for these controllers, which do the thinking for you in terms of when and how much to water. WaterSense labeled models of these weather-based irrigation controllers should be available soon; visit the WaterSense website for more information.
 
Even if you don’t have an irrigation system, it’s still a good time to consider low-maintenance landscaping that uses less water and still looks lovely. Consider some new, drought-tolerant plants for your yard this spring. Native plants that don’t require supplemental irrigation will help you keep your water bills low and provide a beautiful landscape. You can find a local plant list from your water utility, cooperative extension service, or on the WaterSense website.
 
And for those who like a lush lawn, take a little leap on your grass this spring to avoid overwatering. If you step on your lawn and the grass springs back, it does not need to be watered. Use this easy method to save on water while still keeping your lawn healthy and learn more outdoor watering tips.

And here are some previous blog posts from this blog that might interest you:
Find a WaterSense Irrigation Expert
Beneficial Drought Tolerant Plants for the DC Area – Part 1
Beneficial Drought Tolerant Plants for the DC Area – Part 1

Spring Lawn Care for Northern Virginia

Tuesday, March 6, 6:30 - 8:30 pm. 

Join Virginia Tech Specialist Dr. Mike Goatley for a discussion of best management practices for establishing, renovating and maintaining lawns in Northern Virginia.  Topics to be covered include turf selection, soil test and preparation, fertilizing, mowing, weed control, water and drought management, and insect and disease management.  

Fairlington Community Center, 3308 South Stafford Street, Arlington.  

Free parking on- and off-street.  To register, call 703-228-6414 or email mgarlalex@gmail.com.  For more information, visit mgnv.org.

Offered by the Arlington Office of Virginia Cooperative Extension with Support from Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia.

Helping Trees to Thrive

Volunteer Opportunity with the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission

Sunday, March 4 from 9 a.m. to Noon-“Helping Trees to Thrive”

Join WSSC as we remove weeds from trees trying to grow next to the Patuxent River.  This is an opportunity to enjoy the beautiful serenity of the river and a woodland that very few people get to see-while making a difference to the Chesapeake Bay.  

Supplee Recreation Area, 16904 Supplee Lane, Laurel, MD.

For more information, visit the WSSC website.

I wonder if moose and elk poop are good for gardens?

Hubby and I are headed out west to Jackson Hole, Wyoming for a week of skiing and moose watching (Tom skis. I moose watch) so its been a busy few days getting our yard ready for our absence.

Tom has rigged up an elaborate watering system that will turn our irrigation system on and deliver water through drip irrigation tubes, ONLY if the rain sensor says that it’s needed. Other plants that are in pots have been moved to areas to reap the runoff from our rain barrels, if nature provides it. On a previous trip, some of our plants blew over and dried out, because they weren’t able to catch any rainfall while on their sides, so today I went out and staked up a few pots so they don’t blow over. I also got all the bird feeders and bird baths filled.

When I got ready to pack, I realized that both of our big suitcases are REALLY beat up. I splurged and bought one new one and I’m hoping that the other one will last through one more trip without resulting in our dirty laundry being strewn all over the luggage carousel at one of the airports.

And I’m thinking that the old, torn up suitcase might be a perfect container to use for a portable garden. My friend Leslie uses old dresser drawers that she finds in people’s trash to plant her herbs in, but the suitcase might be even better, because it will let water flow through AND has convenient handles on the sides to pick it up and carry it. I’ll have to think about that when I get back.

We will get to visit our good friends Jon and Kim while we are out there. Jon and Kim are the couple that were featured in the slideshow for my post about The 12 Benefits of Raised Bed Gardening back in September, 2010.

I love Jackson Hole because there is so much wildlife. They have a huge elk refuge out there where up to 10,000 elk come down in the winter to graze. You can also see moose, wolves, bison, coyotes and bighorn sheep all within a short drive.

There won’t be any gardens for me to visit on this trip (Jon said there is two feet of snow in his yard right now) but I’m sure I’ll be thinking of my gardens back here at home. I’ll have to remember to ask the rangers what they do with all of the elk poop from the wildlife refuge. It sure seems like it would make great compost. 

2nd Annual Community Clean Water Summit

The Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection invites residents interested in the health of Montgomery County’s streams to attend the second annual Community Clean Water Summit on March 3 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the Silver Spring Civic Building at Veteran’s Plaza, One Veteran’s Place, Great Hall, Room 1.   The goal of the summit is to help residents understand how their commonplace actions may contribute to stormwater pollution where they work, live and play. 

Stormwater pollution can result from ordinary actions by residents who may not be aware that they are affecting the health of streams, such as littering or ignoring trash, over-fertilizing lawns and not picking up after pets.  

Register for this free event at http:cleanwatersummit.eventbrite.com, space is limited.

Light lunch will be provided and door prizes include: an REI 3 season tent, rain barrels and more! (must be present to win).

For more information, contact Ryan Zerbe at Ryan.Zerbe@montgomerycountymd.gov or 240-777-7744.

Related post: Protect the Groundwater

Driving your message home – new specialty license plate for Virginia

I didn’t used to believe in putting bumper stickers or specialty license plates on my car. But then I realized what a great opportunity  I was passing up  to spread the word about eco-friendly gardening.

If you are a “green gardener” in Virginia, you  have the opportunity to help encourage others to create eco-friendly gardening for pollinators.

This beautiful specialty tag is enough to make anyone want to attract butterflies, bees and hummingbirds to their yard, and we all know that means getting rid of chemicals and planting more native plants!

Here’s the info I read on the Virginia Native Plant Society Facebook page:

A group of local nature lovers is hoping to attract support for a new Virginia license plate with the inscription “Protect Pollinators.” The plate is meant to bring attention to the role pollinators — bees, hummingbirds, butterflies, etc. — play in supporting the vitality of the earth’s ecosystem and food supply.

“So far we’ve had quite a lot of interest from Beekeepers, Master Gardeners, Naturalists (including native plant and pollinator enthusiasts), and the Audubon Society,” said pollinator plate organizer Samantha Gallagher. “Like all of the proposed new Virginia plates, we need 450 applicants, the General Assembly’s vote, and the DMV’s approval.”

According to the Virginia Pollinator Plate web site, supporters have signed up 44 people so far. They need another 406 commitments by November 2012 to move on to getting legislative and DMV support. An electronic application can be found here.

Gallagher says the purpose of the plate is not to raise money, but to raise awareness.
“Our plate costs $10 annually and isn’t a shared revenue plate, but our hope is that it provokes interest and conversation in pollinator conservation,” she said.

For more information about the Pollinator Plate, visit the Virginia Pollinator Plates website or visit them on Facebook

For more information about attracting pollinators to your yard, here are some related posts:

• Enjoying the Birds and Bees in Your Own Backyard – Attracting Pollinators
• Gardening for Hummingbirds
• Plants to Attract Hummingbirds
• Create a Butterfly Garden

10 Ways to Observe National Invasive Species Awareness Week

February 26 - March 3, 2012
Washington, DC

A week of activities, briefings, workshops and events focused on strategizing solutions to address invasive species prevention, detection, monitoring, control, and management issues at local, state, tribal, regional, national and international scales.
Full Description:
National Invasive Species Awareness Week (NISAW) includes activities, briefings, workshops, and events focused on strategizing solutions to address invasive species prevention, detection, monitoring, control, and management issues at local, state, tribal, regional, national and international scales. Visit the NISAW website for complete information and to register. Participants may attend some or all of the events. The total cost to participate is $85.

If you can’t attend the events, here are TEN WAYS TO OBSERVE NATIONAL INVASIVE SPECIES AWARENESS WEEK (from the the February 26 – March 3, 2012
1. Do Some Research:  Get on the Internet and find out what’s invasive in your area, region or state. Identify which species might be growing in your backyard or neighborhood.  Visit http://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/unitedstates/main.shtml to get started.
2. Join in an Eradication Effort: Many parks and nature reserves manually remove invasive plants (and sometimes animals) with the help of local volunteers. These outings are a great way to get some exercise, enjoy time outdoors, meet new friends, and gain the satisfaction of knowing that you're helping to protect your natural heritage.
3. Become a Citizen Scientist:  Whether you are collecting scientific data to be used by local, state, or national agencies and organizations or actually helping get rid of the invasive plants and animals, you will be able to see up close and personal the impacts of invasive species and the results of your efforts. Visit Citizen Science Central (http://www.birds.cornell.edu/citsci/) to learn more.
4. Visit a Garden, Park or Nature Center: Spend an afternoon at a botanic garden, park or natural area and familiarize yourself with the native flora and fauna in your area. See if a guided tour is offered.
5. Read a Book: Not an outdoor type?  Find a book and read up on the threats posed by invasive species.
6. Donate: If you can’t give time, you might be able to give money. Even small amounts can help local invasive species organizations with control and management and other costs.
7. Start a Garden: Replace your invasive landscape plants with native alternatives. Unlike many non-­‐native plants, native plants are hardy, less susceptible to pests and diseases and are unlikely to escape and become invasive.  They help conserve water, reduce mowing costs, provide habitat for birds, butterflies and other wildlife, protect the soil and save money on fertilizer and pesticides. (bloggers note: and save the planet in the process)
8. Legislate: Write a letter to your local state representative or get involved with an activist group. Let your lawmakers know your opinions about the impact of invasive species on our natural heritage.
9. Take the Invasive Species Challenge: One of the most effective ways to manage invasive species is for recreationalists such as boaters, fishermen, pet owners, and gardeners to not be unknowing vehicles of dispersion. Download the pdf for more info.
10. Spread Awareness: Take your National Invasive Species Awareness Week commitment beyond this week. Tell your friends, family, neighbors and others about invasive species!

8th Annual EcoSavvy Gardening Symposium

What: Birds, Bats, Bugs and Bees: The Importance of Pollinators
Where: Green Spring Gardens
When: February 25th – 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM

Green Spring Master Gardeners are committed to showing homeowners and gardening professionals how everyone can make a difference in the health of our environment.

Animal pollinators such as birds, bats, bees, and bugs are needed by more than 80 percent of the world’s flowering plants.  Without them, we would have very little to eat and a lot less beauty to enjoy in our gardens.

In this eighth annual EcoSavvy Gardening symposium, you will learn about the importance of pollinators and practical tips to make your garden more pollinator-friendly.    

Sponsored by Virginia Cooperative Extension. Call site by February 17 to order a vegetarian or non-vegetarian lunch for $12

Click here to download brochure.

Or register online, here.