Spring In The Native Garden

Oh it was such a long and cold winter, and a very dry fall, so my annual early spring inventory of the garden was sad. I consider the first few weeks of April early spring where I live.  Yes, the croci are blooming, and daffodils hold promise.  But as a native gardener, what I look for is the first signs of native perennial growth. And the health of my evergreen shrubs.   While I do not have native azaleas, I do have several that I feel sentimental about.  They have, after all, survived 60 years in place.

This year though, I observed a brown off on the top of many bushes, and complete brown, which I equated to dead, on several others.   I was inclined to pull them out and start anew, but.. I just could not bring myself to do it.  

So, I called the Suffolk County Cooperative Extension Plant Clinic, and got some excellent advice from Sandra Vultaggio  By skinning the stems with a fingernail, I could see that there was some life in all of my sick shrubs.  Even the one behind the fence added by a neighbor last Spring. A high fence, that blocked sun.  Along our property line, the sunken plant bed has more sickly plants.  Was it a blight?  No, just a combination of grounds changes next door: an extended driveway that cut into the shallow roots these shrubs have. The removal of a mature tree, which changed the sun that “azzies” got during a drought. And the harsh winter.  Bad news for the plants. Unsightly too.  I have decided to try to nurse them through, they deserve a chance.  

How to nurse ?  Extra water will be applied, perhaps with a soaker hose, maybe the one that will require a staple job at the end to repair.  And Sandra suggested I use Hollytone on them as they bloom.  A prescription for plant health I hope.  The Cornell Cooperative of Suffolk maintains an extensive library of gardening brochures.  Here is one on Winter Damage that was quite helpful: http://ccesuffolk.org/assets/Horticulture-Leaflets/Winter-Injury.pdf. 

If they do not survive, I will need to assess whether this is a full sun area, or not via a sun study. Normally, such a study requires a year of observation. Here is a sample of one being done by aspiring professionals: http://ryan-landscapearchitecture.blogspot.com/2010/12/sun-shade-study.html.  Basically, you want to note where the yard gets sun, and for how long, in different seasons.  The astronomical points mentioned in the blog are an excellent guide.  Before I take any extraordinary measures, I will do this. In the meantime, what Mother Earth intends to grow there will grow.  I hope for fewer not-native, invasive plants (hot topic, more soon).  And that the elderberry patch I started nearby comes back. It has buds, and I had 10 sticks when I started, I believe six survived, seven if the one I stepped on survives. 

Also, this is an area that supports poke weed.  Many people consider it a horrible scourge.  I like it. With me doing nothing, it grows, sprouts white flowers that the pollinators love, and then berries in the fall that wildlife adores.  I had intended to be a little more “mainstream” this year by limiting the pokes, but I have decided to keep them.  They and the elderberries are far enough away that they do not compete with the azaleas. 

I am also going to try to add a native grassland mix here, if the conditions allow.  I ordered this seed from American Meadows: http://www.americanmeadows.com/grass-and-groundcover-seeds/northeast-native-grass-seed-mixture. I might ultimately renovate the lawn that tries to grow there in the fall.  It all depends on my energy and the cooperation I get from nature and family! 

Lawns are another tetchy topic for the native gardener.  Most lawns are not animal friendly.  We however, do not adulterate ours with anything; no chemicals, no pesticides. Just lawn, with things in it, like native violets (they have yet to appear) and yes, some of that reviled ground ivy.  I am already hand pulling that, it being the *roach* of plants to me. We also get white clover, (though not native to the US), which adds nitrogen to the soil. It attracts honey bees from a few miles away.  And of course, wild rabbits.

If you are seeding patches of lawn, as I am doing somewhat,I have a “hack” (shortcut) that works and aides the process.  I disperse the seed, and then, slap on the ice grippers, and walk over the seeded area.  I walk with a heavy step, and voila; aeration!  It is an easy and aerobic.  The ice grippers I use are a bit large for me, so if I happen upon a woman’s golf shoe in my size over the yard sale season, I will get them.  

I make sure I toss the seed in the waxing moon cycle, on a propitious day according to the Farmer’s Almanac, preferably before a rain.  I did this here yesterday and had to water it this morning, it was too dry.  I put a large whirligig thingamajig in the center, to try to divert birds, but what usually ends up happening is we share the seed.  

There is really not much more to be done right now.  I do not trust that we are finished with freezes, so I have minimal expectations for my native perennials and ferns.  I would rather they wait until the timing is right, and they know what is best, usually. I have pushed the mulch around in a few areas. It was exceptionally packed down from the snows.  So using my little rake, I just teased it a bit, like we did with our hair in the 60’s.   

One nice thing I have noticed in this time of barren spring is that our wildlife is emerging in pairs again, (yes, think “Noah”). I have seen two rabbits that I believe are New England cottontails.  At first, I thought they were stones that had rolled out of place.  But without the reading glasses on, I was able to discern bunny.  Also, (and I hope mutually exclusive of each other) we have seen two screech owls. Well again, my husband has.  But I have noticed owl feathers (do not remove, protected) and splats in good places.  We have a screech owl nesting box and we hope to be grand owl-parents this season. 

All of this occurs on .25 acres.  What is happening in your yard ? Did the nature of your landscape change ?  Are your shrubs healthy ?  What evidence of wildlife are you seeing ? Leave a message here and I will do my best to get back to you.  Mostly though, I would hope you are outdoors and enjoying your yard !  

Postscript to Spring Birding by Dee

I asked about feeding through the summer, especially feeding suet cakes, here is what Dee had to share: “You had asked if I use less birdseed in spring/summer.

It’s a preference. I like to feed the birds all year long, the same amount. But they actually need more help during the colder months.

We feed them in summer because it’s nice to see them bring the babies to the seeds, showing them the ropes.”

For my suet through the year question, Dee referred me to this excellent information: http://birding.about.com/od/birdfeeders/a/Keep-Suet-From-Melting.htm 

Happy Spring, get out there and enjoy it! April is Earth Month!