Spring is springing, and our native plants are on the way!
Welcome Spring and Grow Native Plants
The rhythms of spring have returned and I see everything waking up; people out of doors, birds singing, trees budding, the sweetness of spring began in a moment this past week. The moment of action also became real for us as we uncovered winterized plants and began the seeding process for all the many seeds we stratified over the winter. The greenhouse doors are open and thousands of seeds are being placed on soil.
Two weeks ago I had the opportunity to be at two conferences where the world of native plants and the environment were the focus. Doug Tallamy, author of Bringing Nature Home, a great work detailing the importance of the mostly unseen web of life, was a keynote speaker. I would recommend his writing or seeing his talks because he makes the current reality of the decline and complete loss of habitat easy to understand and the solutions accessible. It was inspiring as I begin the season to look beyond myself and the big list of tasks for the spring and remember so many of the reasons for doing this work.
Tallamy reminded me what it takes to make a living habitat for this living world – a place to live and a place to eat from. His presentation took me on a photo tour of what it is like to be a bird, a migratory bird that flies thousands of miles with diminishing food sources to return to nesting sites where food for their young is also not plentiful. Birds need protein rich, soft caterpillars to feed their young, as baby birds aren’t able to process seeds. So, habitats that don’t produce caterpillars don’t produce birds. It seems so simple, but so many animal species rely on food sources that we often forget about.
Unfortunately insects are very specialized and the downside to specializing in today’s world of sterile landscapes is that their food sources are limited. This is why native plants are so important. Insects have adapted over thousands of years to feed on certain plants. While all of us may be adapting to a changing world, insects cannot very quickly adapt to a new host plant to feed their young.
Placing seeds in soil this spring is filled with intention. I am excited for these seeds to become plants. I am hopeful for the plants to be planted in the ground this spring, summer and fall by you! Creating food hubs for the living world can be beautiful and done anywhere you are; urban, suburban, or rural. Perhaps one day we can live along side restored connectivity for wildlife, “roadways” of beauty and food for the small creatures that support us and our food sources.
In the meantime, please continue to check in with us about plants you’d like to be able to grow. We look forward to seeing you again this spring at the Friendly City Food Co-op and The Harrisonburg Farmer’s Market for plant sales.
- Marilyn
THIS TUESDAY: Storm Water Basics Presentation
The Natural Garden and Karl Shank will co-host a free presentation to help church congregations and individuals better understand storm water management on their property. Karl and co-host, Brian Wagner, a biologist with over 28 years of experience in ecological restoration and consulting, will provide some basic ideas that can be implemented both on church properties and at individual residences. These solutions could provide savings for those facing storm water fees in the City of Harrisonburg.
