News and Notes for September

Wildlife journal: Today we have released five just-hatched monarch butterflies; been visited by ring-neck doves, cardinals, Carolina wrens, a red-bellied woodpecker, and chickadees at our feeders; watched eastern black swallowtail and monarch butterflies lay eggs on the parsley and the milkweed and seen giant swallowtails and fritillaries flying above the gardens. Hummingbirds have been dropping in on a regular basis. This is the time of year when the butterfly populations expand and other wildlife begin preparations for the cold weather or for a long and strenuous migration. Many creatures are augmenting their diets to make it through winter when food supplies are sparse. This is a great time to add plants and feeders to attract birds and butterflies. We are using several types of bird feeders and different types of food to attract as many species as possible. We have two platform feeders (one for seed and one with mealworms), a nyjer feeder for finches, a peanut feeder for woodpeckers and nuthatches, a seed feeder with safflower seed, a suet feeder, and a hummingbird nectar feeder. The best time to catch the birds in action is in the morning and at dusk. Our feeders can be observed from inside the building, so that we can watch the birds without causing alarm. Come by to check out the activity .We are excited about all of our Cole’s bird seed, but we are particularly interested in the blend called Nutberry Suet Blend. This bird food contains sunflower meats, peanuts, pecans, cranberries, cherries and apples, plus suet kibbles containing insects. This attracts species not usually found at feeders, including bluebirds and cedar waxwings.

Our fall seeds from Renee’s Garden have arrived. These organic seeds have a very high quality and a great germination rate. We have already started some lettuce, chard, tomato, and pepper seeds and will have these available as 4” plants. We have cucumbers, zucchini, peppers, and bunching onions available now in 4” or gallon pots. We will have more vegetable plants available later in the month. Seeds to start in Sept. or Oct. include lettuce, spinach, kale, peas, radishes, carrots, beets, broccoli, and all kinds of lettuce and greens. Flower seeds to plant in fall include calendula, alyssum, sweet peas, larkspur, and poppies.

Fall is also the best time to plant or transplant trees and shrubs. For planting trees and shrubs, we use soil amendments that hold water but that don’t provide a lot of nutrients. Roots of woody plants tend to stay in an over-fertilized planting hole rather than reaching out into the surrounding soil. However, the top growth responds with more growth than the root system can support, making the tree or shrub unstable. We recommend using peat moss, composted cow manure, soil conditioner (a fine-ground pine bark), your own compost, or a mixture of these products to plant trees and shrubs. We sell soil conditioner and cow manure by the bag, or premixed. For all herbaceous plants (perennials, annuals, herbs, vegetables, etc.), we think mushroom compost is the best and most complete soil amendment. (We are extremely glad that the mushroom farm re-opened and that we are able to get mushroom compost again!) Made up of mostly chicken manure, it also has other organic material and trace minerals. Used properly, you should not need any other soil amendments or fertilizer for a year. We sell bags of fresh mushroom compost for $6.00 a bag.

Last month’s perennial sale was successful. Hope you all got in on the great prices! This month we are continuing to sell our gingers at half price. These tropical looking plants are root hardy, and range in height from 6’ to 6”. Some are fragrant, some are variegated, and all are great plants for a shady garden.

Happy Labor Day!