Working Gardens

12/29/2024

An interesting article on using robins to monitor polutant levels in the soil

A pair of Michigan scientists have developed a new way to monitor for toxic environmental exposure — follow the robins.

12/27/2024

This may be something we will have to use in the future if the drought continues. My spring is down a solid 40-50% and Sippo ditch behind our house has run low for two years now. It's a t least 1-2 feet below it's normal.

WONDERFUL INVENTION ⚒️

This revolutionary breakthrough transforms rainwater into a solid resource using potassium acrylate, a biodegradable polymer. Developed by Mexican engineer Sergio Jesus Rico Velasco, this powdered polymer turns into a gel when hydrated with rainwater, capable of retaining up to 210 times its weight in water for 41 days.

This innovative technology promises to improve crop growth in regions with extreme climates, where water availability is scarce and unpredictable. Additionally, it ensures that this method can reduce water usage in agriculture by up to 92%, lowering costs and dependence on expensive irrigation systems.

I hope we support these types of projects that will help us protect water.

Credits: Mundo Galático

12/17/2024

When Doug Tallamy thinks about his love for nature, he reminisces about his childhood pond.

Dragonflies zigzagged through the air. Water beetles propelled themselves across the ripples. Tallamy particularly enjoyed watching thousands of pollywogs swim around and mature into toads.

“I was born loving nature,” Tallamy said.

Then one day, his ecological paradise was lost.

“I sat there the day the bulldozer came and buried the pond,” Tallamy said. “They built a house on it.”

Fast forward about six decades, and Tallamy, the TA Baker Professor of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Delaware, is trying to encourage everyone to do their part to protect the planet.

His mission is simple: Encourage people to rid their property of invasive plants (which don’t belong in an area and can ultimately harm the ecosystem by taking away essential resources from other plants) and replace them with native ones (which have historically belonged to a region and provide critical habitat for insects, birds and other creatures).

Doug Tallamy's quest to save the world, one yard at a time

11/20/2024

I try to use any yard waste here to create better soil or better habitat but sometimes it's something else. We are situated on Sippo creek or ditch. It's an Army Corps of Engineers project and has 6-8 foot banks ( i call it a "kid killer" because even i have trouble getting out of the ditch). The drought conditions have dropped the water level by at least a foot and it pretty much constantly erodes. The deer will find gaps and have created numerous erosion paths from crossing.

While having Grounded Tree Service, LLC. here i mentioned i wanted some of the branches for the stream bank to fill the deer gaps and start to create a bit of berm in case of future water events. The benefits are numerous for the property and environment. I haven't hauled anything out risking spreading whatever villains may be at hand here. I'm also stopping an erosion problem and creating habitat., and as an added bonus i have some firewood/kindling for the future.

While we're talking yard waste i'd like to share that i no longer pick up all my leaves. I let the bulk lay for the winter with no ill effects to the grass. The result was an increase in butterflies here this past summer. I still clear paths and walkways but it's minimal compared to my past.

11/20/2024

The silver maple by the barn has had a rough year dropping two limbs in a widow maker fashion. I had two tree services straight up ghost with no reponse but the third was a charm. Grounded Tree Service, LLC. came out quickly and got me taken care of for the winter. They were quick clean and efficient. Somehow i'm less anxious now :P

11/16/2024

It’s November and naturally you’re all expecting a bloom report!

In reality the native/nativar plants do provide late season food for any active pollinators. On warm days recently the Swamp Goldenrod is covered in native bees and wasps. It and the “Autumn’s Bride” cultivar of Huechera Villosa are the hands down favorites and toughest late bloomers here.
Shown are Lilac, Huechera villosa Autumn’s Bride, Swamp Goldenrod, Obedient Plant, Tall Pink Phlox, digitalis grandiflora, Dwarf Iris, and some frosted roses. I have also seen some small white asters with blooms but i didn’t see them on the front yard circuit.

11/15/2024

This beautiful fall weather has been keeping me busy around the property. I've been edging beds, putting up bird houses, moving some leaves and working on a patio area. etc.

11/08/2024

I wanted to send a shout out to anyone who has emailed me and not got a response. I cleaned my inbox and found a couple. Apologies

11/07/2024

11/04/2024

Maybe i need to grow my own boat?

This October, Gary Kristensen grew his own boat—a giant pumpkin. Kristensen then went on to paddle 46 miles on the Columbia River securing the Guinness

10/22/2024

the data appears to be in on some of the nagging monarch questions.

The planting of a non-native milkweed and the practice of captive-rearing monarch caterpillars have been identified as two possible sources of monarchs failure to survive their fall migration.

10/20/2024

Let 'em lay for the winter!

Want more wildlife in your garden? One critical step you can take is to “leave the leaves.”

Every autumn, as the leaves begin to fall, it’s easy to think of them as something to clean up. But before you reach for the rake or leaf blower, consider the incredible ecosystem those leaves support. The leaf layer is more than just debris—it’s a critical habitat for countless creatures seeking shelter and warmth through the winter.

Fallen leaves provide shelter for creatures like luna moths during pupation, toads, turtles, lizards, caterpillars, bumble bees, and more throughout the winter. (Too many creatures to list here.) But by letting the leaves stay, you’re creating a haven for wildlife in your landscape.

This week on the podcast I discuss the concept of “leave the leaves” with National Wildlife Federation's Naturalist David Mizejewski

We cover the top reasons to leave the leaves—supporting wildlife, helping the climate, and benefiting your garden.

We also discuss leaving leaves on your lawn, what happens when leaves go to the landfill, and what to do if your HOA doesn’t allow you to leave the leaves. David reassures us it’s all about progress, not perfection.

Listen now to episode 387 and read the article on the website here - https://joegardener.com/podcast/leave-leaves-wildlife-climate-david-mizejewski/

I’d love to know what wildlife you have spotted in fallen leaves and how you manage fallen leaves on the land that you steward. Leave your thoughts in the comments below! 🍂

10/19/2024

Here are a couple of articles on Pawpaw trees i found interesting. They both deal with the potential future of pawpaws and climate change. They face threats and yet they could also become a sign of losing our forest canopy.

https://grist.org/agriculture/pawpaws-americas-latest-fruit-craze-are-being-threatened-by-climate-change/

https://www.nps.gov/articles/pawpaw.htm?fbclid=IwY2xjawGAmsNleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHcuGaKArG_DUUmcUb3WrcguLd6GuXzzS9W9KgY7SW9VI5NRXjiPRkll0hQ_aem_6rTrO8nK891sKbeo3XEa3w

Pawpaw are small trees that don't grow past 100 feet. Yet they have a big influence. They're the most commonly observed sapling in our NCR forests and are virtually immune to deer browse. They also produce the largest edible fruit native to North America!