Monroe County Master Gardener Association

I just discovered this post among my many emails, so am posting for your information. Somehow I completely missed it.

Naida sent this to me to Post.

Draper-Houston Meadows Preserve (no dogs allowed) is just yards west of the Milan Kroger store on Mooreville Road.
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/michigan/draper-houston-meadows-preserve-trail

Thanks,
Naida

After I gave a talk on local Parks and Preserves earlier this year, Naida asked if I would lead a walk through Draper-Houston Meadows Preserve during this spring’s wildflower season. I agreed. Then I learned that retired Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Naturalist Faye Stoner was set to do that very thing. I suggested that MIlan Garden Club take advantage of Faye’s superior botanical knowledge and plan to join her walk. Then came COVID-19, and it seemed that all such opportunities would have to be abandoned to accommodate social distancing.

Then an idea hit me. With everyone itching to get outside and enjoy Nature after having been cooped up so long this spring, why not set up a Self-guided Wildflower Tour. Here it is.

Depending on how much you want to bask in the warming spring weather and take in Mother Nature’s wonders, the walk should take you somewhere around one to two hours. For your safety from infection, I urge you to walk it alone or only with family members with whom you are cohabiting. It would be a good idea to have masks for those times when you meet or pass someone on the trail. (I’ve encountered 10-15 other visitors each of the two days it took me to assemble the information for the map!) And, it should be possible to step 6-feet off the trail whenever two parties are passing, but please choose your steps carefully so as not to damage the vegetation.

During your walk you may also want to look for the first evidence I’ve seen in my 50 years in Milan of Beaver activity. You’ll spot that right beside the east end of the north pier of the bridge. It’s a beaver-cut willow stump about 6″ in diameter. Also, while walking the trail along the flooded area and the Buttonbush swamp, keep your ears pealed for amphibian songs. In the past few days I’ve heard Chorus Frogs, Leopard or Pickerel Frogs (a dry, rising series of non-musical croaks), and Anne called out our first Tree Frog call of the season as we walked Day Road last evening. And, of course, don’t spend all of your time looking down. The migratory birds are returning. (Anne just pointed out our first house wren of the season repeatedly, and I mean repeatedly, entering and exiting the gourd nesting chamber right outside our kitchen window. Like the absent-minded onetime school teacher I know well, he would literally walk out his “door,” turn on a dime, and go back in for another look. I bet he did that 10 times in two minutes!

While making my rounds of the Preserve yesterday I recorded Mallards, Canada Geese; Red-bellied Woodpecker, Downy or Hairy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, American Robin, Red-winged Blackbird, Red-tailed Hawk, Turkey Vulture, White-breasted Nuthatch, Tufted Titmouse, Northern Cardinal, Blue Jay, American Crow, and Song Sparrow. Always check out any big dark bird flying or soaring overhead. It you can spot white at either end, you will be seeing one of the Bald Eagle pair that are raising their 4th brood of young right now in their nest withing the city limits of Milan! And with today’s warm, sunny weather, a dozen or more species of warbler and other spring migrants should soon appear.

Two final bits of advice. The trails are wet and muddy at this time of year: wear appropriate foot gear. I got by OK with sneakers, but I’m very careful of where I step. And it is tick season already. This past week I have already removed two ticks that had not yet embedded in my skin. It is best to wear long pants and tuck them into calf-length socks, then spray Off around the junction. (I’ve had hundreds of tick bites over my lifetime and have suffered no ill effects, but after every walk through natural vegetation, when showering it is a good idea to do a full body “feel” for “moles you didn’t know you had.)

John Farmer

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Gail sent site for Oak Opening Events. Below is a link for their site information:

https://mailchi.mp/e4c3b4440edf/oak-openings-region-blue-week-2020?e=8f5512a66a

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Stella is already volunteering/planting at TBG and had this
update on the sensory garden plan we heard about. Worth posting?
Stella writes:
Thought this might be of interest to members since Steve came and talked to
the group when this was just a concept.
They have the cement poured and are starting on the raised beds. Many are
built and now the are looking to line with garden fabric! Goal to plant and
have it available soon -pdate on the sensory garden plan we heard about.

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Here are some Updates on Kingwood’s Garden in Ohio, from Gail.
Just click on this link:

http://xpt3r.mjt.lu/nl2/xpt3r/nhm.html?m=AM0AAG9EXUIAAAABtSwAAAB9oocAAAAAF3wAAEbiAA_dswBeozgyYO2-PArxRnSDRwOKXIz5OQAPm4U&b=980c96a8&e=0db1a4bd&x=ZnS_1lHKxs4kUIlBvgr9KQ

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Received this from Naida, yesterday

Good news! This morning’s report from Governor Whitmer’s office means that we will be able to offer our plant sales in May online. We are working out the details. Stay tuned! We’ll be updating you with information in the coming days.

The botanical gardens continues to remain closed for now, but you can still walk the trails at Matthaei and the Arb. Remember to respect the recommended distances on your walk. Thank you for your patience and support.

https://mbgna.umich.edu/matthaei-botanical-gardens/gardens/

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Article & photos by Gail K.
Many of us are familiar with Hidden Lake Gardens-before I take you outside for some much needed ZEN– let me share just a couple of indoor pictures from the Arid Dome-
As a bonus, the plants in this area were also in bloom–

ABOVE: based on the white color, who may be the pollinator for that cactus???

Who needs to bloom when you look like this??

Recalling the 2019 Polar Vortex–the tropic dome in its current state.

HLG lost many plants in that weather event. Dedicated to get that area restored-what a project!!
Leaving the arboretum-; once outside, signs of the spring awakening- LOOK at this magnificent Witch hazel outside the visitor center.

Hiding among the last fallen leaves of fall–Snowdrops

and this interesting plant–I don’t know the name. A good homework project–who can name this plant???

As I begin my “car” adventure note all the snowdrops which blanket the ground in the hillside Hosta Gardens.

Makes a nice grouping and the Hosta are still asleep so this is a great way to have a seasonal interest in this large area.

At the edge of the arboretum parking lot– a clustering of Witch hazel- such vibrant colors for an otherwise dull time of the year…

Now you know me-drawn to the water I got out of the car. Watching my steps,I spotted in the leaves these hidden gems.

Maybe Jennie can ID these, I don’t know??

I wish for you all some calm sense of ZEN-I can’t give you smell or sound so you will have to take a moment to close your eyes with each picture & just imagine. Are those frogs I hear??

“ONLY THOSE WHO WANDER FIND NEW PATHS”
Norwegian Proverb

Smell the heavy, musty aroma in the moisture hanging in the air
So alone and yet peaceful:


“PURSUE SOME PATH, HOWEVER NARROW AND CROOKED, IN WHICH YOU CAN WALK WITH LOVE AND REVERENCE”
Henry David Thoreau

“IF THE PATH BE BEAUTIFUL, LET US NOT ASK WHERE IT LEADS”
Anatole France


Have you ever wondered why?
Who may have been here before you?

Standing on the crest of this hill- shhh-listen-music;so thankful for our many birds

Art by nature: Just one of many

If a tree falls in the forest—and no one is there Does it make a sound??

Folks-I hope you were able to sense the calm. You too can experience this—from the luxury of your car;
making this a “safe endeavor” at this time–

I would encourage you to go & enjoy. When able, I pulled over & parked—got out and truly appreciated
all that my senses could take in, at that moment in time…. ALONE.
Peace g

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by Chris Eddolls

Our MG Earth Day committee had started to put together a program before the event was canceled. Attached is a small part of the info we had gathered. Thought it would be good for the blog. Maybe one of the other committee members will post what they had worked on too.
Chris

Earth Day 4/22/2020; 50th Anniversary; the theme: Climate Action Earth Day is every day! All of us must find a way to be effective advocates for change. Here is a list of simple actions you might not have realized could support the environment:
 Grow your own organic garden or join a farm-share group.
 Compost kitchen scraps for use in your garden; turning waste into fertilizer.
 Use soaker hose to water, avoiding runoff.
 Conserve water outdoors by watering lawn early AM or late PM; use drought resistant plants in dry areas.
 Pull out invasive plants in your yard; replace with native varieties.
 Buy local food to reduce farm-to-fork distance. Frequent local farmers market, join a food co-op.
 Organize to have healthy, local-sourced food served in you school district.
 Change you cars air filter regularly.
 Keep your tires properly inflated to get better gas mileage; reduce your carbon footprint by 20 pounds for each gallon of gas you save!
 When allowed, join a local park, river or beach clean-up!

What do YOU do to save the world?

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Article written by Chris Eddolls

What lovely weather we are having in Michigan; it has been snowing for eight hours so far today, April 17, 2020! Four inches of heavy wet slush is lying all over the garden. It got me to thinking; what seeds can germinate in cool soil?

Here are some of the interesting facts on the subject I gleaned from the MSU Extension website and Smart Gardening tip sheet: Different vegetables, herbs and flowers have different germination requirements. That is important to know to ensure your gardening efforts are successful. Viable seeds are alive; they contain an embryo & stored food surrounded by a seed coat. Germination of viable seeds is dependent on a number of variables. All seeds germinate when the soil moisture, temperature, and oxygen levels are correct for that specific seed. Some seeds have unique light condition requirements that can add another variable in the process to successful germination. The majority of popular plant seeds require “normal” germination temperatures; that being the top few inches of soil having an optimal germination temperature of 65 deg. F to 85 deg. F; if soil is sufficiently moist and aerated. Moist means meeting a level of 50-70% of soil’s moisture-holding capacity; not wet soil.

Not surprisingly, most “cool-weather crops” can germinate at a soil temperature of 40 deg. F – 60 deg. F if the moisture and oxygen levels are optimum. For example, parsley seeds could be planted and will germinate when the soil is 40 degrees but a greater majority of seeds will germinate at the ‘optimum’ temperature range for parsley seed germination of 50 deg. F to 75 deg. F. This means at 40 deg. F, if the soil is wet instead of moist the seeds may rot, or if to dry or compacted the seeds may do nothing until the soil temperature moves closer to 75 deg. F then to 40 deg. F. Sometimes being the first to get seeds into the soil does not necessarily result in you being the first to harvest!

Cool soil germinators include many of our salad bowl favorites and perform nicely in patio pots as well as garden plots: Arugula, collards, kale, kohlrabi, leeks, lettuce, mustard, onions, parsley, radicchio, radish, and spinach. Be aware that many of these small seeds may actually ‘require’ light to germinate, therefore needing little to no soil cover. Not surprisingly, those cool loving crucifers can also germinate at cooler soil temperatures: broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, Chinese cabbage. Don’t forget legumes, root crops and herbs which can all get a jump on the gardening season by germinating in cooler soil: beets, borage, carrots, chamomile, chervil, coriander, dill, marjoram, parsnip, peas and turnips.
Put on your long johns, get out into that garden and try some cool soil germinating crops!

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Hey there—-Lenawee Conservation District held their tree sale and
these are what they have remaining……….if interested, follow the
instructions…………
Thanks Gail! Below is the list of species remaining.

Customers can call our office between 8am-4:30pm about them (517-263-7400 Ext. 3). Staff will take their order and give them a total. Customers will receive a call back later this week with a date, location, and time to pick up the order. Payment must be made at time of pick up (cash, check or m.o. only).

SEEDLINGS:
Balsam Fir
Black Hills Spruce
White Pine
White Spruce
Northern Pecan
White Oak
Red Oak
Red Maple
Black Walnut

TRANSPLANTS:
Arborvitae (white cedar)

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We still have trees for sale!

They will be available at the Monroe Conservation District Office this week while supplies last.
All product information can be found on our website. The button below provides the order form that gives you product descriptions and cost. Please review this prior to calling the office to place an order.
The sections below list the available inventory.

Monroe Conservation District
1137 S. Telegraph Road
Monroe, MI 48161
(734)-265-9311

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