The Landscape Journal

The Dog-Bud

2012-05-01T14:23:53Z

It appears that many flowers in our area open in May. May is germination. May is renewal. May is the first month of the year with intense sunlight. May is rapid growth. May is in full bloom.

May smells as good as it looks. By Mother’s Day, the scent of the lilac can be found in most every farm house yard in our area. A native of Persia, the lilac was brought to Europe in the sixteenth century. Early American colonists were so fond of its flower that just about every yard from Maine to Maryland has a light lavender or white variety. Whether straddling the root cellar entrance or holding up the hedgerow, this flower is as handsome as it is fragrant.

Have you noticed how beautiful the flowering dogwoods (Cornus florida) are this spring? The flowering dogwood is a strong zone 6 native and can be found comfortably naturalizing the hillsides as close as northern Westchester County. As this tree migrates into our area, our cold winters are a bit harsher for this understory hardwood and generally its flowers are not as numerous as they are just to our south. This year tells another story. Our extremely warm winter and early spring has created one of the most beautiful dogwood displays in recent memory. The red flower variety looks good, the white flower looks better and the pink dogwood looks the best of all. For some reason, the pink flowering dogwood looks particularly vibrant this spring.

Another eastern native putting on a beautiful show this spring is the eastern redbud (Cersis canadensis). The eastern redbud has small, bright purple-pink flowers running along the limbs and branches before the leaves emerge. Some redbuds took a hit during in last October’s snowstorm, but the trees that were damaged can be pruned back into good form.

Before the tree canopy shades the forest floor, take a hike in the woods to enjoy the flowering bloodroot, trillium, columbine, woodland phlox, violets, jack-in-the-pulpit and chokeberry. The forest floor is wild this time of year.

March and April were dry, warm months so ticks are out in full force. When hiking, stay on the trail, wear light clothing and check one another thoroughly after the hike. If a tick is found under the skin, apply liquid soap to a cotton ball and set this on the tick area. After a minute, the tick will back out into the soap. It works every time.

Annuals and tender vegetables can be set out into the garden by Memorial Day. If a frost is forecasted after these tender plants are in the ground, wetting the foliage at sunset should be more than enough protection from temperatures a few degrees below freezing. If a hard frost is in the forecast, a covering may be necessary. Light plastic or a blanket is good. Prop it up off the ground with sticks if plants are six inches or higher.

The beautiful spring weather is here. Getting out in the garden and working the soil feels good. Working the warm, moist soil between our fingers, adding compost, mulching and weeding gives us a sense of satisfaction. Our relationship with the soil and plants coupled with the sun on our backs and listening to the sounds of nature is what it’s all about. Our kinship with nature and treating her with respect goes a long way in maintaining a healthy body, mind and spirit. Keep it down and dirty.

Healthy Planting

2012-04-04T19:18:33Z

Weather was the topic of conversation again in March. The temperature during the first three weeks of the month was ten to twenty degrees above normal. Trees, shrubs and perennials began to bud and grow a month ahead of schedule. Reality set in the last week of the month as the temperature fell back to normal. Temperatures dropped from seventy to twenty degrees in less than three days. This sudden temperature drop caused some problems in the landscape; most notable was the magnolia flowers. They went from just about ready to open to brown and dead. It’s the first time I have ever witnessed an extremely early bloom followed by a knock out frost. During the next month we will know if other plants suffered any vascular or bud problems. It should be an interesting observation and study as the spring season progresses.

March was also an extremely dry month. Below normal rainfall and low humidity levels created a desert like environment. Fire danger was high as brush and forest fire warnings were posted. A tinder dry landscape, high winds and a spark can cause a brush fire in minutes. These conditions will persist until we get some significant rain.

It’s time to plant, if we have the space. We should plant at least one tree this spring, trees shade the soil and create a cooler summer environment. If I were to pick one tree it would be the Native Oak. In our region, most any Oak will work. I am partial to the Red, White Scarlet or Chestnut Oak. They are a strong, slow growing, disease and pest resistant tree. Their high protein nut feeds a variety of wildlife. My second tree would be the Maple. The three varieties I recommend would be Silver, Sugar or Red Maple. Maples have an amazing ability to clear the air. Their respiration, when in leaf, filters pollutants out of the air.

Shrubs to consider this spring are plants that will stay to scale in the area we are looking to cover. A common planting mistake is to choose a shrub that, over time, will grow too large and require heavy pruning. Plant shrubs that are native and have adapted to the location in the garden. Sunny, dry, windy, wet or shady are a few microcosms to consider when choosing the proper plant. The right plant in the proper location will cut down on many pest problems and help the shrub grow to its maximum potential. Try fruit and berry plants such as Blueberry, Elderberry and Beach Plum. These shrubs are ornamental and have an edible berry high in antioxidants.

Areas in the landscape that are ordinarily filled with annual flowers can be replaced with annual vegetables. Vegetables in the landscape can be as ornamental as they are edible, groups or drifts of vegetables in hedge rows or in foundation plantings is a space saving application. Thinking out of the vegetable box will allow the creative gardener to plant a handsome edible garden in the front yard landscape. Some healthy living landscape tips that not only look good but taste good.

A Swamp Thing

2012-02-28T16:00:36Z

In March the catkins of Salix discolor are one of the first signs of spring. The catkin is the furry swelled bud of the Pussy Willow. A walk through the swamp in mid-March, the Pussy Willows natural habitat, will reveal this handsome bud. By the end of the month these furry Catkin buds will open and expose tiny yellow flowers. These willow flowers are the first of many spring flowers to nourish the early season pollinating insects, spring has sprung!

After a long winter season plants, insects and animals come alive again as they do each year at this time. Spring seems to begin in the bottom land swamps. Many birds, absent from the landscape in the winter, show up at different intervals throughout the month. The return of the Robin standing erect in the lawn reminds me of a soldier standing guard. The reason for this posture is they are hunting. They are listening and feeling the slightest vibration under foot. Insects and worms are working their way to the surface and their movement attracts the attention of this hungry hunter. Redwing Blackbirds are back and you can’t miss their chatter, especially early in the morning. Bluebirds show up on the post and rail fence at the garden center, busy checking out the nesting boxes. They are making sure the boxes are clean and ready for this year’s family. All birds are singing their spring song. Some of the best bird songs can be heard around sunrise. Here in the northeast we have some of the most beautiful bird songs on the planet.

March is mud season. Melting winter snow and heavy spring rain saturate the soil. Be careful not to start working the soil too early. Be patient and let the warm late March sun dry the soil. By the end of the month the soil should dry out enough for planting peas, radishes and lettuce. We have a wide variety of soils in our region. Many areas are sandy, some are rocky and dry out quickly. Heavy clay soils are found in isolated areas and require more time to dry out. Proper timing can make a big difference between success and failure. When planting the spring vegetable crop, follow nature’s rhythms for optimum plant success.

March is a windy month. The battle between warm tropical air and cold polar air can set up some very powerful late winter and early spring storms. Heavy wet snow and ice storms are common this time of year. It’s important to finish up winter pruning this month so tree and shrub branching can tolerate heavy ice and wet snow loads. Sap flow is running heavy and aggressive pruning of live limbs this time of year can cause plants to bleed. Healthy trees and shrubs can tolerate pruning this time of year and have the ability to seal open wounds quickly. Weak plants may suffer if extended live wood is pruned during heavy sap flow. It’s best to get the opinion of an expert before heavily pruning live branches from trees and shrubs in early spring.

March 11th begins daylight savings time when we move the clocks ahead one hour. March 17th is St. Patrick’s Day. We all turn Irish on this Kelly Green holiday. Good luck to those who prefer the traditional corned beef and cabbage diner. On March 2oth the sunrises due east and sets due west, this is the Vernal Equinox or the first day of spring and the first day this year with 12 hours of sunlight. At about the same time the spring peepers are working their way out of the mud, their chores has been caroling in spring for centuries, one of nature’s rhythms that usher in another growing season.

A New Beginning

2012-02-08T14:12:12Z

It happens every seven to eight years and it’s happening again this year, the year without a winter. Many long range forecasters predicted a tough winter after the Halloween snowstorm. They predicted heavy snow and cold for November and December with a seasonable January and February. It’s been an extremely mild winter through January with very little snow. January 2012 is the second warmest January on record in our area. Ponds and lakes did not freeze so no ice skating, ice fishing or snowmobiling thus far. It’s an unusual weather cycle this winter with cold weather lasting a few days then rain and warm temperatures. This persistent freezing and thawing is not good for plants. Trees and shrubs in our region prefer gradual change not abrupt temperature and weather swings. Keeping our cultivated and natural landscapes mulched helps during these weather fluctuations. This strange weather stresses plants and many fruit gardeners are concerned as flower buds swell during these warm spells. If this weather continues through February followed by cold in March and April fruit production could be greatly effected as the flower buds will be damaged.

February starts with Ground Hog Day as our local woodchucks study their shadow to predict the end of winter. Our shadows get shorter as we gain an hour and a half of light this month. February is a fickle month as the sun works north and the warm southern air starts battling the dense winter cold. It’s the classical spring verse winter snow when one day we are out pruning shrubs in the warm late winter sun, the next day we’re scraping ice or snow of the front walkway.

February is the first signs of spring in the garden and in the woods. Early spring bulbs are poking their heads through the soil checking on the temperature. Pussy willow buds are swelling and waiting for the right moment to open. Skunk cabbage is working its way up through the mud along the edge of the swamps. This year’s growing season is just getting started. Chickadees, Cardinals, Woodpeckers, Owls, Hawks and Eagles are scouting out this year’s nesting sites. They are all looking for a safe location with adjacent food plots and hunting grounds. Chickadees and Cardinals are looking through the Gray Twig Dogwood patch for tight branched area where they will be camouflaged from cats. Woodpeckers and Owls are scouting out the tree hollows that are just large enough to fit through but not big enough for raccoons and skunks. Hawks and eagles are cruising around the skies over meadows and waterways for good hunting and fishing to feed their young. In the past year I have seen Bald Eagles over Whaley Lake, the Ten Mile River and the north flow of the Great Swamp. It’s encouraging to see these birds in the trees around our waterways and meadows. It’s a good sign.

February is the hunger moon as the last full month of winter is here. Animals living in our yards and in the deep woods continue scouting their hunting grounds for a berry, bud or mouse they may have missed during an earlier visit.

February is the sugar sap flow; I’ve seen Silver Maples, Red Maple and Sugar maple tapped for syrup in our region. Sugar Maple has the highest sugar content in its sap and is the most widely tapped tree. Early sap is always the sweetest and maple syrup is one of the healthiest natural sweeteners to use in cooking and baking.

Plant life begins a new season as the sap begins to flow in most trees and shrubs by the end of February. As plant life wakes up so does animal life, a correlation we need to understand for our own wellbeing. The warm sun is welcome and not only does it start the sap flow, it also begins to get our warm blood flowing. It’s valentines season, each year at this time nature suggests we court. Let us not forget that we are part of nature and not something separate. Somewhere deep down inside us there is still a primitive instinct in place to reproduce. Catching the eye of our mate is just what the doctor ordered to get the winters cobwebs out and put us into a spring frame of mind. Happy Valentines Day with lots of love.

A Special Event

2011-12-28T19:28:46Z

On October 29th, around noon, it began to snow. By three that afternoon, almost six inches had accumulated and it began to snow harder. It was a heavy, wet snow so limbs began breaking and power lines started to fall. By midnight, the heavy snow was tapering and our area had received fourteen to twenty three inches. It looked like a war zone with trees, branches and electric poles snapped and down everywhere. On Sunday, the clean up began.

What was unusual about this storm was how fast the snow accumulated on the very warm ground. The dense snow fell heavily and contained a very high water content. If this storm had been all rain, we would have received four inches of rain. Most of the damage occurred at lower elevations where the snow was the wettest and the trees still had more leaves. The landscape was massacred in many areas.

I did some research to see what trees were hardest hit. The trees most damaged were deciduous trees that hold on to their leaves later into the fall season. The trees incurring most damage were the Norway maples and Bradford pears. In fact, Dalton Farm in Poughquag lost every one of their Bradford pears in the landscape. My findings were that native species faired better than exotic species. In all fairness, there was also damage to some weak crouched native species. However, for the most part, our natives held up better and non-natives were more heavily damaged.

This storm was reminiscent of the October 4, 1987 storm that dropped about a foot of heavy wet snow. There are some distinct differences between these two storms. The 1987 storm was more localized and occurred earlier in the month. The trees were still in their summer green canopy and the damage was much more severe in our area. The damage from the ’87 storm was primarily confined to the Hudson highlands and the Berkshires. This year’s Halloween storm was more wide spread. A storm we will not soon forget.

As November turns into December, we begin to focus on keeping warm. Out of the hope chest comes the red union suit, wool socks and mittens. Mittens are much warmer than single finger gloves. By keeping our fingers together in one mitt, it helps prevent frost bite when the temperature drops below zero. Keeping our toes warm is just as important as fingers. Stay away from steel toe boots and go with a heavy insulated boot with traction. If your fingers and toes start to burn from cold, keep them moving. Steady blood flow from movement will prevent frost bite.

The landscape is as different now as it was in early October. Plants such as winterberry, partridge berry, running pine, mountain laurel, sycamore and Christmas fern have a uniqueness and stand out in the winter landscape. It’s time to mulch the garden just as the ground freezes with a mix of native composted roots, leaf mold, shredded bark and chips. Begin pruning the landscape now in preparation for future growth and structure. Don’t be too tidy in the garden. We need to leave some seed heads for the hungry critters.

December is the start of winter. As a kid, I remember winter being my favorite season; following animal tracts in the snowy woods, sleigh riding on the backyard hills, all day hockey out on Wolf Lake, and making a few bucks shoveling neighborhood walkways. Winter has become more of a chore these days. I wonder if it’s age or attitude? I’ll give that a bit more thought during the next blizzard.

It’s December, the holiday season. Hooray! A time to give thanks and praise. Tradition is this year’s theme for me and my family. Simple and festive, where less is more. A gift from the heart, not the pocketbook. Where faith and trust in one another will help us through another season. May the festival of peace, hope and understanding be wrapped under your tree this special season. Happy holidays!

Turkey Forcast

2011-11-22T13:50:13Z

Long range forecasters are sticking their necks out once again, as they do every year at this time, to give us an indication on what this year’s winter weather might look like. Most long range forecasters are predicting a colder and snowier start to the winter with more normal conditions finishing the season. The reason for this they say is because a strong La Nina, or blocking pattern, is setting up over Greenland. For the northeast, that means more frequent coastal storms with heavy inland snow.

Conversely, The Old Farmer’s Almanac predicts a milder than normal winter with the coldest weather forecast for November and December. Last year, the first major snowstorm hit the day after Christmas when over two feet fell in our area shutting down roads and transit systems. The heavy storms continued through January and when it finally stopped, over ten feet had fallen in parts of our area. And, was it cold! If you remember, many of last year’s long range forecasters called for a mild, wet winter. Who should we believe?

Some of the most accurate weather wisdom comes from Mother Nature and here is what she is revealing. Like most long range weather forecasts, Mother Nature is a bit fickle. Acorns, which are a staple food for most woodland creatures, are very light or non-existent in some areas and heavy in others. Wooly bear caterpillars are mostly brown in some woods and black in other areas; the blacker the caterpillar, the tougher the winter. Bee and wasp nests, which tend to be higher off the ground when heavy winter snows are coming, are high in some areas and low in other areas. My conclusion is a cold, snowy start and a mild finish. It’s anyone’s guess in this period of climate change.

November begins the deer rut season, so be careful driving around sunrise and sunset. This is the time deer activity picks up. November is finishing up fall cleanups and composting your leaves. Decomposed leaves are an excellent soil conditioner for the garden and to use when transplanting. November is the time to prune trees and shrubs because most insects and fungal diseases have gone dormant. November is the month most animals fortify their winter home and start insulating their dens with material like milkweed, cotton-like seeds. This is one of the reasons I don’t mow my meadows until late winter or early spring. November is the Leonid’s Meteor Shower which peaks between the 13th and the 20th. November is hard frost, the owl hoot and long shadows.

Kicking off the holiday season, smothered in brown gravy with all the trimmings, the roasted turkey gets my vote as top bird on this family holiday of giving. Pardon my halftime nap. Happy Thanksgiving.

Slimy Tunnels

2011-09-21T22:08:27Z

Why are there worms in the soil? One of the many questions I have asked myself in the course of a day. Everything in the natural world usually has a function. Worms create tunnels in the soil. These tunnels act as a pathway for roots to travel. Worms ingest decomposed leaves and organic matter. This is probably why they stay within one foot or so of the earth’s surface. We very seldom find worms in clay or very sandy soil; places roots don’t like to hang out. Worms also aerate the soil. Their travels create small air tunnels just under the soil surface. Our native earthworms are small one inch creatures; very narrow and delicate. Large earthworms or night crawlers are slimy worms from other continents. They accompanied the soil from roots of plants brought from other lands. When trees, shrubs and perennial roots use these earthworm holes to wander through the soil, there is an air transfer at work that’s keeps our landscape healthier. Soil that has been compacted through super saturation can choke plants and create an unhealthy environment. I mention all these factors because I am seeing some very strange plant phenomenon in the woods.

Since mid-August we have had almost thirty inches of rain. The unusually heavy rain occurring this time of year has stressed many trees and is drowning many plants in the landscape. I’m seeing yellowing and browning on leaves and leaf tips on some maples are turning that characteristic black when plants get too much water. These conditions are most pronounced in heavier soils that tend to drain much slower. It’s all a function of climate change. What’s next? I don’t believe any one knows, but stay tuned as I plan on following these changes very closely.

Don’t fret, it’s October, one of our favorite times of the year. It’s the season to put away the mower and get ready to compost the leaves. October begins green and ends gray; but in between, we have some of the greatest color on the planet. October is the time of year to relax and smell the apple punk. October is long hikes in the deep woods to enjoy the maple, hickory and birch hues. October is our first frost. October is the beginning of the fall rainy season....uh-oh! October is stacking up the wood pile. October is windy. October is the hunter’s moon. October is geese flying south before winter sets in. October is the night sky full of stars. October is good eats. October is getting out the long johns and feety pajamas. October is grrrrrrrrrreat!

Late Summer Chores

2011-08-22T14:14:25Z

July weather and August weather could not have been anymore different. July was hot and dry, so hot that one of the warmest days ever occurred midmonth as the temperature topped out at around 106 degrees Fahrenheit from Glens Falls to Baltimore. August did an about face as thunderstorms and steady rain lasted most of the month. August could go down in history as the 2nd wettest month on record. Between 10”-15” of rain fell in our area.

The lawn turned deep green and crab grass was not as aggressive as it usually is. Now is the time to renovate weak lawn areas. Soil compacted areas from the heavy rain should be aerated and top dressed with a mix of sand, leaf mold and calcified lime. Depending on your exposure, seed soon after with a northern blend of rye, fescue and bluegrass. Continue mowing as high as you can tolerate. This high mowing will eliminated broadleaf lawn applications.

Most plants began growing again in August. Shrubs and trees put on a moderate amount of growth and some light pruning may have to be done before winter. Prune out dead, weak and diseased wood first and then work on shaping the plant.

Weeds were very aggressive this summer. Weeding is a chore we either love or hate. Weeding teaches us what a plant looks like at a young age. We can learn more about local botany while weeding than in any text book or website. If you are an aggressive weeder you had a tough time keeping your nails clean this summer.

September, as we all know, is the last month of summer. September is warm days and cool nights. September is canning apple pies and cider. The small sour crab apples make the best cider. September is nut season as the Oaks, Hickey and Beech drop their harvest. September is foggy mornings and clear starry nights. September is the beginning of fall color. The Sumac, Virginia Creeper and Mums put on their war paint. September is the month we start the fireplace or woodstove for the first time. If we were lucky we found some down apple or cherry for a sweet smelling fire this early season. September is the New England Aster, one of my favorite perennials. September is golden rod, a perfect Fall color perennial, just ask the honey bees. September is the first cool blast out of the north and the first biting breeze that requires a heavy jacket. September is the smell of ripe fruit with Apple punk and Pumpkin being two of my favorites. September is the harvest moon. September is late corn, tomatoes, root vegetables and some berries. September is another one of nature’s rhythms that remind us that change is good and this is the time of year to accept and embrace another season.

Nice Tomatoes

2011-08-10T14:41:54Z

July put an end to the streak of wet, cool months. Patiently waiting for the right conditions, many perennials and shrubs that flower from mid June to early July bloomed a bit late. The sun and heat finally arrived on the Fourth of July weekend. I especially enjoyed the phlox, monarda and honeysuckle vine this summer. Rhododendron maximum or giant rosebay rhododendron generally starts blooming in late June into early July. This year’s rosebay began blooming the second week of July. We are in the far northern range of the rosebay hardiness limit and I have stumbled upon pockets of this plant growing along the swamp behind the garden center. To our south in Pennsylvania and Virginia, I’ve seen rosebay grow the size of small trees. It’s a striking plant when grown in small groves. This year’s flowers were short lived as July heated up and became a scorcher.

Some short grasses suffered when the heat and high humidity exposed lawns to red thread fungus. Blackspot, powdery mildew and apple cedar rust could be found in some locations. Japanese beetles, hemlock wooly adelgid and tent caterpillars are few and far between this year. Their numbers sufficiently dropped off because of the prolonged cool, wet spring weather.

As July progressed, we began watering more often. I found container plants quickly dried out as the temperature went well into the nineties. Before the crabgrass set in, I raised the height of cut on the lawn from four to five inches. This saved the lawn from burning out. Wasting water on my lawn is something I will not do; keeping containers, vegetables and fruit trees hydrated is more of a priority.

August is asters, goldenrod, corn, squash, tomato and a second cut of hay. August is early apples, peaches and pears. August begins the harvest.

August is low water. Some streams go right down to a trickle. Ponds and lakes warm up in the hot August sun. August is bullhead season. Catching mud cats in the late evening with a box of worms and a light fish pole are relaxing evenings I will always remember. Observing from the dock how the Martins turn into bats and the muskrats turn to beavers, transitions evening into night.

August daylight is getting noticeably shorter. We lose an hour and a half of sunlight by the end of the month.

Late evening summer thunderstorms are not only interesting to watch, but can drop the warm evening temperature twenty degrees. The August heat can be searing as the Atlantic turns into a sauna. Our first threat of a hurricane can be in the forecast. After a hot, dry summer the warm rain of a tropical storm can help with rain deficits as the summer winds down.

The August full moon is not quite the harvest moon. It’s a mellow, calming and a more hypnotic globe. Let’s call it the generous moon.

The August night can be the maestro of a bug symphony. Crickets, grasshoppers and katydids start wing-scratching right up until first frost. They must have a lot to say before they bed down to a long winter’s nap.

Late August misty mornings are the first sign of fall. As the fog burns off, it exposes the crisp blue morning sky. It’s a perfect time to go out and pick the ripest, juiciest beefsteak tomato. Slice it thin on whole wheat toast with olive oil, salt and pepper. While the bread is toasting, I’m going to make some watered down lemonade. Care to join me?

Spring Into Summer

2011-05-30T21:25:48Z

May was another very rainy month. Not too surprising when we consider what climatologists are writing. Climate change is creating a wetter east coast.

I’m noticing plants that prefer drier conditions such as Juniperus virginiana (eastern red cedar), yucca, and many varieties are showing signs of high water stress. Apple cedar rust, black spot and powdery mildew are starting to pop up all around. Some junipers are turning a shade of orange and others plants are literally rotting in the ground, depending on the soil type. Their roots are hoping for sunshine to dry out the surface soil.

Rhododendron, blueberry, ferns and moss are loving ever minute of this wet maritime type weather. Plants growing in pots will need another shot of organic fertilizer before they turn yellow from lack of nutrients. Vegetables in containers should be planted with soil that drains well.

June begins three months of pleasant nights. I enjoy late evenings sitting out on the patio or grass listening to the ball game and watching the fire flies. As kids, during a warm June evening, I remember catching a jar full of fire flies and using this jar as a lantern. I often wondered what creates this light. I found out the light is produced by a slow, practically heatless, oxidation of luciferin. Luciferin is a substance produced in the insect’s body. Why the insect produces the light is still a mystery to me. Does it have a mating purpose? Is there a sexual significance? This is another one of nature’s mysteries that brightens each night this time of year.

June is an iris month: an ancient flower that is the anchor of the early June perennial border. I have seen iris planted with tulips because as the tulips fade the iris “flags” open. There are a few species of native Iris that make a beautiful cut flower. June is also roses in bloom featuring the native Virginia and swamp rose. These roses are not only simple and showy but are less susceptible to bugs and disease and are shade tolerant.
June is strawberries, one of my personal favorites. I use strawberries as a ground cover in my gardens. At the garden center, the Appalachian Trail hikers are loving this mid June strawberry treat. June is fresh-cut hay; a smell I will always remember. June is ten to fifteen turkey chicks following mom around the meadow. June is a bambi month when the first week-old fawn with all her white “freckles” frolics around with her twin brother. June is elderberries; a tasty natural treat. June is daisies, buttercups, blackberries, and the start of the black-eyed Susan flowers. June is in bloom.

June is the call of the Wipporwill; a shy bird in the caprimulgidae family. Caprimulgus is Latin for “goat sucker”. Legend has it that the Wipporwill haunted herds of goats at dusk. They milked the goats and lived on the milk. It was later learned they lived on the insects that followed the goats. Goat suckers, night jar, poor willow, chuck will’s - widow or night hawk are some of the common names given to this bird; a migrating bird that gets to our area by mid-spring. It first nests in a crude nest of dead leaves with two eggs and then spends the summer. It’s a bird that sleeps all day and seldom appears from out behind the shadows. I’ve heard this bird call out all night and repeat the call several hundred times without pause. Keep the earplugs handy at bed time in case a pair of Wipporwill decide to nest in your area.

Summer begins June 21st with misty mornings, hot afternoons, and kelly green hillsides, cold frosty drinks by the lake, no shirt, tank tops, and mini skirts. Come on summer!

I Can See It

2011-05-05T12:37:50Z

A winter of heavy snow was followed by a cold, damp, early spring. How great does this May sunshine feel?

It’s time to renovate the lawn. Many of us will be spreading the first step of a multistep chemical onslaught to kill weeds and bugs. Don’t do it! Your lawn needs calcium and a pH adjustment, has soil compaction problems and needs to be over seeded. There are some new products on the market that will take care of what your lawn needs in a safer manner. A healthier lawn environment starts with accepting the fact that dandelion, violets, clover, chick weed, round Ivy, lambs quarters, mallow, pigweed, sorrel, spurge, carrot, geranium, morning glory, onion, dock, plantain, thistle, carpet weed, henbit and crab grass may also be growing in our lawn. Many of these plants are a good thing and when in bloom it can be a handsome carpet of flowers in the lawn. Generally speaking, lawns don’t need to be fertilized unless there is a micronutrient problem. Mow the lawn 3” or higher. The higher mowing height will keep the lawn greener when the hot dry weather arrives. Moss is okay in the lawn especially in the shadier areas and stays green year around. Having to water the lawn every day, because we keep the lawn cut too short, is a wasteful habit.

This year’s vegetable garden will need some additional space. Don’t just plant peppers, radishes and upside down tomatoes. Let’s start an organic heirloom vegetable garden of raised beds filled with charred, rugula, beans, beets, broccoli, kohlrabi, carrots, radishes, cabbage, corn, cucumbers, eggplants, bak choy , mustard, kale, lettuce, collard greens, onions, peas, melons, spinach, squash, turnips, tomatoes, basil, cilantro, dill, oregano, parsley, lemon balm and sunflowers to name a few.

Take an environmentally friendly approach if and when bugs arrive. Beetles, stink bugs, aphid, scale, ticks, grubs, ants, chinch bugs, cut worms, grasshoppers and adelgid can be controlled in a safe manner. Companion planning, proper cultural practices and hand picking the bad guys off plants should be our first choice in pest management. Natural pest applications such as soap, oil and pepper can be used if pest numbers increase. If an infestation occurs, consult your local garden center or cooperative extension for safer control methods.

May is one of the months to plant and move trees, shrubs and perennials in the landscape. This year’s goal should be to plant a tree or three in open areas in the landscape. Plant deciduous trees on the south side of the house. Shading this side of the house with deciduous trees will keep the energy costs down in the summer time. Deciduous trees lose their leaves in the winter and let much needed sunlight in. Evergreens planted on the north side of the house will deflect cold winter winds and help keep the snow off the roof and keep the heating costs down.

The May landscape changes by the day. The month starts with the landscape looking almost like winter and finishes flushed out in her summer green dress. Springs rebirth is working at her leisurely pace as we frantically try and keep up. May is one of those months to listen and observe the natural world. Nature is attempting to teach us a valuable lesson this time of year. Do you hear it? Can you smell it? I can see it!

Edible Tree Farms

2011-03-21T14:31:23Z

April is a start up month. If you are an early riser, step outside and listen to some of the most beautiful bird breeding music in the world. Winter Wrens start singing before sunrise and have one of the longest, most complex bird songs known. Robins are back both hungry and happy because the snow is finally gone. Hooded Mergansers are scouting for a good nest site in tree cavities. This time of year, Starling Bills transition to bright yellow plumage from their winter dark brown. Kingfishers are patrolling Swamp River and Croton River again. Grouse are starting to lay eggs and the average grouse clutch has about dozen. Sparrows are looking for millipedes in the leaf litter and the first Bluebird should show up behind the garden center any day now.

I don’t have a lot of room for a vegetable garden this year, so I decided to incorporate fruits and vegetables into the landscape. Rather than planting marigolds, impatiens and dahlias, try carrots, garlic, peppers, colorful kale and Swiss chard to name a few. Allowing a few of these tender plants go to flower, then seed, will keep the pollinating insects and birds fed and happy and keep our landscape visually appealing.

You can replace the groundcovers myrtle and pachysandra for strawberries, nasturtiums, wintergreen, thyme and low bush blueberry plants. Remove the invasive euonymus and barberry to make room for elderberry and beach plum. Edible landscaping is the trend. Not only are these choices a common sense approach to land management, it’s a healthier choice and can be just as ornamental. With the current push towards growing and buying local produce, wouldn’t it be nice to see some of our abandoned fields reestablished by local farmers?

If you’re lucky enough to stumble upon some old black and white photographs of our area one hundred or so years ago, you would see an agricultural landscape. In our agrarian society, farming was the livelihood of many families and much of the wooded landscape was hacked away for corn and cows. In these faded, worn pictures, you may see a lonely tree in the distance. Many of these loners are still standing today; and most are ancient oaks, ash, maple and hemlock.These giants are known as ‘wolf trees’, a term that was popularized by foresters during the late 20th century, as many neglected pastures reached the age of first cutting. The origin of the term ‘wolf tree’ can be traced back to Medieval Europe. Europe was inundated with wolves at that time, just as the woodsmen were, in early to mid 20th century in much of North America. On back country roads, in Medieval Europe and North America, outlaws often hid behind these massive trees waiting to pounce on people passing by. One particular tree in England, the ‘Major Oak’, is said to have regularly concealed Robin Hood and his Merry Men. Their outlaw antics labeled these men ‘wolf-heads’. Today, these wolf trees are the seed source for much of the reforestation that has and is occurring across abandoned fields. Naturally, as many of these fields revert into wood lots, native wild life settles back into our landscape.

Plant your wolf-tree this spring.

A Cool Fire

2011-01-05T15:09:08Z

Did you ever notice it takes three times longer to do anything outside this time of year? January is the darkest and snowiest month of the year. I thought it was also the windiest but March wins. We gain almost an hour of light by the end of the month if you haven’t noticed. January is dry cracked skin and bitter cold that can give you frost bite and hypothermia without noticing.

I often ponder when taking my winter hikes through the snow in subzero temperatures how much different last July’s heat wave felt. I took the same hike in ninety five humid degrees last summer. It’s now tough to remember the feeling of being overheated and uncomfortable during last summer’s dog days, talk about weather extremes.

In the summer there are critters under every leaf in the woods. At first glance the woods appear dead this time of year but if we take a closer look it’s very much alive. The deep snow pack in most areas is covered in tracks and tunnels. Many bugs and animals do go into hibernation but some are more active now in the cold weather. Deer tend to herd up, safety in numbers. Whitetails continue traveling on designated trails they have been using for centuries walking single file looking for food. Black bear in our area are not true hibernators. Much of their resting or sleeping habits are based on weather and food. During mild winters bear will not hibernate and will continue to scavenge. Cold and snowy winters will put them to sleep. Beaver are still active until the swamp freezes rock hard. They will attempt to keep the water open as late as possible. Birds are fun to watch this time of the year, especially birds of prey. Their hunting techniques are fascinating to observe. Protecting the free range chickens around the garden center from these jet-like predators is a challenge this time of the year.

Ice changes the landscapes in winter like no other force. As water goes from liquid to solid it expands when the temperature falls below freezing. The water traveling through rocks has the ability to break rocks apart as it freezes. The granite in our area is some of the hardest and oldest rock on the planet. If this freezing and thawing continues over the next 200 million years our area could turn into a sandy beach-like region. Something to look forward to.

Keeping warm in January has always been a challenge in our mountain region. In 1744 Ben Franklin must have had enough of January’s cold weather when he designed and built the first Iron box a.k.a Franklin Wood Stove. Benjamin’s woods stove was one of the first free standing fireplaces made of iron. The wood burning stove heats up the iron and radiates warmth into the room. An iron wood burning stove is much more efficient than a conventional fireplace of that period. A pot of water set on top of the iron stove would raise the humidity and will create a comfortable indoor environment with no smoke. Today we know the iron wood stove is still used as an efficient heating device in homes, studios and barns.

For me January is powder under my skis, a quiet read by the fire, soft talk and warm companionship. Goodnight January.

Tis The Season

2010-11-15T13:06:27Z

December prepares us for January cold, December is short days and long nights, December is protecting our landscape from the Deer, December is red bows and ribbon on an evergreen back ground, December is lights hanging from trees like icicles, December is the smell of Balsam Fir in the family room and eventually throughout the house, December is the smell of cherry and apple burning throughout the neighborhood, December is chestnuts roasting on and open fire and jack frost nipping at my big nose. December is all of this and more.

In most years, December is our first major snowstorm and if it falls just before Christmas it heightens the spirit of the season. Snow clears the atmosphere as it falls, it grabs particles from the air and melts their nutrients into the ground. A fertilizer from the sky if you will. Farmers and gardeners welcome its presence. Snow also cleans the landscape and its blanket instantly converts the yard into a winter wonderland. What’s more beautiful than six inches of snow draped on the bows of a White Spruce? Snow has many different sub forms, it can be fine, fat, heavy or fluffy. It’s pennies from heaven for many in the snow removal business. When it falls fast, heavy and deep as it did in the early-mid 90s it can be “White Death” on snow removal equipment.

We are entering a period where the sun surface is becoming more active, sun spots and solar flares are now more numerous. What that means for us is a more visible aurora and the Northern Lights should be a common occurrence this winter. A walk in the woods or meadow on a snowy moonlit night may also include a light show with bands of color shooting out of the north sky. If you have never witnessed the Northern Lights it’s a sight to behold.

December is the month when we start to pay attention to the outside temperature. The first thing many of us do in the morning is check the temperature. Knowing the temperature and the weather will help us dress properly and keep us comfortable throughout the day. In order to get an accurate temperature the proper placement of the thermometer is important. Install the thermometer on the north or northeast side of the house away from direct sunlight.

Some notable trees and shrubs in the landscape this time of year are the Virginia Juniper or commonly known as Eastern Red Cedar. This evergreen prefers limestone soils. A perfect accent tree in the valley areas where limestone exists. A slow growing tree with striking blue berries. Birds eat the berries this time of year. A handsome tree that prefers full sun. White Birch, Gray Birch and River Birch look good planted in a grove or as a specimen. Interesting white or exfoliating bark, the Birch will decorate most any landscape. Native conifers like the Weeping Hemlock and Dwarf White Pine are a slow growing evergreen that will decorate most locations or highlight an area as a specimen in the landscape.

The first day of winter, or the Winter Solstice, is December 21st. It’s the shortest day of the year or more accurately has the shortest amount of daylight. Looking at the bright side, after December 21st the days get longer as the sun slowly rises in the sky. Something to look up to.

Soon after Winter Solstice the holy days begin. A time for family and friends to give thanks for the simple pleasures in life. To do more with less is my New Year’s resolution. May the power of love and the force be with you this holiday season.

Late Fall

2010-10-20T14:46:25Z

October has shot its load of yellow, red, orange and maroon. November is now resting in shades of brown and gray. I enjoy the browns this time of year; from leaves, acorns, seed heads to tree trunks, nature does a wonderful job with browns in November. Evergreens are much more pronounced after all the leaves have dropped. Hemlocks, rhododendrons, laurels, white pines, junipers and Christmas ferns are showing off their leaves and needles.

After losing their leaves, deciduous berry plants like winterberry, holly and viburnum have large striking red berries. Not only do birds feed on these berries as they ripen, but many of us use them as decoration during the holidays around our home.

It’s the time of the year we finish raking the leaves. The pyromaniacs burn the leaves while most gardeners compost them. Don’t be such a ‘neatnik’ with leaves. Remove the bulk leaves off of the lawn and garden and keep a thin layer in place to break down and compost into the soil. Decomposed leaves will build the soil by adding organic material. Maple leaves decompose quickly and oak leaves break down slowly and acidify the soil. Use oak leaf mold around rhododendron, laurel and holly.

Have you noticed the acorns this year? One of the biggest crops I’ve ever seen. Generally, it’s a sign of what’s to come this winter. So sharpen the snow shovel.

Owls can be heard this time of year in the late evening and early morning especially during cloudy nights. Sound echoes and travels during cloudy nights. Early morning, before sunrise, while working at the garden center, I can hear owls hooting up on Corbin Hill across the swamp. There are quite a few owls on the ridge and they seem to be calling to one another. What are they saying?

What happened to the partridge? Twenty five years ago, while hunting up on North Quaker Hill at Carrol Lodge, I approached a large blow-down and fifteen to twenty grouse blasted out of the downed tree. I haven’t seen a grouse in five years. Some say the coyote got them. I hope they found a good hiding place.

Crows tend to gather this time of year. One of their winter gathering areas are the fields and trees behind my house. As in the Alfred Hitchcock movie, these birds congregate and speak their mind. Crows are smart birds and take advantage of any opportunity presented to them. Their calling would bother most people but I look at it as wildlife conversation during an ordinarily quiet time of the year.

The first dusting of snow will occur any day now. It brings the kid out in many of us. It cleans the atmosphere as it falls. Its presence lets us know what’s walking around the yard and adjacent woods. It’s fun to get out and track wild animals in the snow. Deer, turkey, fox and bear are some of the tracks I have followed in the deep woods.

The atmosphere is clean in November. These crisp nights are filled with stars. It’s time to use your imagination to find the Dippers, Orion, Pegasus and Taurus. On November 17th, the Leonid meteor shower peaks. This is best observed after midnight after the moon has set. Find a dark hillside to enjoy the Milky Way on a clear November night.

The turkey, a true American native, was first served on Thanksgiving Day in 1789. The Indians of the south and Mexico domesticated the turkey long before the arrival of the Spaniards. Originally, the Indians raised turkey for their feathers not its meat. The Spaniards brought the American turkey back to Spain where it was distributed throughout Europe. Early European settlers brought the turkey from Europe to the east coast only to find the eastern woods loaded with the big black game bird. Early settlers sustained themselves on the native turkey, deer, elk and buffalo as they migrated west. They learned how to farm and grow the native corn and gourds from the Indians. If Ben Franklin had his choice, the American turkey would have been our national bird. This American turkey is a Thanksgiving tradition. This bird stuffed, baked and served with sweet potatoes, corn, carrots, creamed onions and cranberries is as American as pumpkin and apple pie dessert. I’ll gobble this meal up any day.