Leaves float on every strong breeze, covering our walks and driveway just hours after we last cleaned them. The many different species of trees in our community almost guarantee that we will have a long season of managing fallen leaves and pine tags. Leaves may begin to fall in August or September, particularly when the weather is dry. And some trees hold onto their leaves until the following spring. So cleaning up fallen leaves is more of an ongoing...
While we are preparing our homes, vehicles, and closets for the cold winter season ahead, let’s not forget about our wildlife friends that bring us so much joy during the more temperate months. Over the next 90 to 120 days, they will endure bone-chilling winds, frozen ground, and limited access to fresh water or easy foraging. It is time to get up off the couch and winterize your backyard for their benefit. The most susceptible of our critters, particularly those...
A sadly spindly ‘mystery tree’ grows on a steep slope in our back fern garden. I first noticed it six or seven years ago. Its top was broken off in a winter snowstorm a while ago, and its odd growth pattern, plain looking leaves and immature bark left me clueless about its identify. My best guess was that perhaps it was a paw paw tree, since the leaves are similar, and we have a stand of those nearby. But...
The Osage orange (Maclura, pomifera), a member of the mulberry family (Moraceae), has proved to be both useful and ornamental in its rich history. It was identified by an American geologist, of Scottish descent, named William Maclure (1763-1840), a successful merchant, who later in life distinguished himself as a geologist and cartographer. This native American tree was originally found in the dust bowl states, Oklahoma and Texas, as well as the northern tip of Louisiana, but has since become naturalized...
Did you know that the tradition of carving jack-o’-lanterns started in Ireland, where turnips and potatoes were originally used? In fact, the name, jack-o’-lantern, comes from an Irish folktale about a man named Stingy Jack who tried to trick the Devil. It ended badly for Stingy Jack with the Devil sending him off into the night with only one hot coal to light his way. Jack put the coal into a carved-out turnip and has been roaming the Earth ever...
There’s an astounding amount of waste generated from post-Halloween pumpkins. Instead of throwing your pumpkins out, why not reuse and recycle them? Here are a few ideas on how. 1. Cut up the pumpkin into manageable pieces and throw them into the compost bin. They are 90% water and should break down quickly. 2. Put them in your garden for the wildlife to enjoy. 3. Pumpkin seeds can be scooped out with a spoon, tossed with a bit of olive...
Have you ever noticed how the strawberries you pick yourself on a warm May afternoon taste much better than the huge red berries you buy at the grocery store? Everyone who has grown their own tomatoes, lettuce, or apples knows how much better homegrown food can taste. You still need to be selective about what seeds you buy because some varieties of carrots and squash taste better than others, and some prove more resistant to disease. Putting in a...
It was a beautiful day to welcome the Arc of Abilities (AoA) group back to Williamsburg Botanical Garden (WBG) after our summer break. The AoA friends greeted Master Gardeners with clever cards they had created using herbs and other plants as puns! It was a wonderful surprise to start our session and greet old and new friends! Karen Brooks and Barbara Floyd, project leads, created an interesting program based on the current growing season in the garden. We talked about...
The Water Wise Team was busy preparing and hosting a tour of our Water Wise garden at the JCC Human Services Center (5249 Olde Towne Rd.) for the JCC Community Wellness Fair on September 10, 2022. The Fair was a great success with approximately 300 people visiting our Water Wise garden. Master Gardeners Kay Clapp and Linda Neilson had 57 adult visits to the JCCW Master Gardener booth and delighted over 35 children in a garden lesson on butterflies. Project...
Using Natives – For most of us, once we have learned the value of native plants versus non-native or even invasive plants, we cannot afford to rip out everything we have and start over. If you can, just skip to the links at the bottom of the page to learn what you need and where to buy plants! The rest of us need to develop more of a long-term plan, replacing or adding a few plants at a time. You...