This past Sunday, November 1st, Wanda Gerard, Chapter Ike and Master Gardener, delivered to our Chapter Park 25 (twenty-five) 6″ potted pickerel weed native plants that were donated by Dr. Laurie Fox, as well as goldenrod and black eyed susans dug up from Wanda’s own garden.
About a dozen Chapter Ikes and a half dozen Webelos Scouts from Pack 1, chartered to Main Street United Methodist, responded to Wanda’s call for volunteers and worked together to plant these native plants along the front and back sides of our dam. Wanda directed us to cluster plants in groups of 3, or 5 and space the groups 3-4 feet apart. The rationale being planting in groups is to emphasize color, and Alan clarified that odd numbered sizes are preferred to better simulate the randomness of Mother nature by avoiding planting in straight line formations.
Wanda selected these native plants because they are adapted to our local climate and soil conditions. They provide nectar, pollen, and seeds that serve as food for native butterflies, insects, birds and other animals. We hope that they will spread and mitigate the need to prune hardwood saplings that tend to sprout on our dam. Alan suggested that we can weedwack these plants in the Spring, but should avoid doing so in the Fall to allow the seed heads to propogate.
Thanks to Wanda for coordinating this event, and to all who volunteered to help with a job well done!
