These weekly garden notes are written by Kim Willis,
unless another author is noted, and the opinions expressed in these notes are
her opinions and do not represent any other individual, group or organizations
opinions.
Hi Gardeners
 |
| Hyacinth |
At last a nice sunny day!
I find it amusing that there are frost warnings and newscasters are
telling people to cover their plants because no true gardener would have any
tender plants out yet. It’s supposed to
get quite warm this week but don’t be fooled – it’s not time to plant those
tender things yet.
I did break down and buy my first outside plants for the
year- some pansies. I am now ready to
get to those garden centers. I just have
to remember how many times I had to cover everything last spring and use some
good judgment.
I have potatoes and onion sets to plant this week- it’s time
for them. My lettuce and spinach are
coming up. Perennials can be planted now
but be a little careful with some things like hostas, which tend to emerge
later in the garden. If you take them
from a greenhouse with large advanced foliage and plant them outside, frost can
damage the leaves. Plants like
daylilies, which are already several inches high outside in the garden are a bit
hardier.
.JPG) |
| Bloodroot |
The bloodroot is in bloom in the woods and I have early
tulips and hyacinths in bloom. My
rosemary which is inside on the porch is filled with flowers this year. I have seen magnolias in bloom and the
cherries and plums are almost ready to bloom.
My forsythia bloomed only around the bottom- the top buds were winter
killed. I hope my lilacs fared better,
they are showing green. My honeyberries,
newly planted last year are leafed out and look great.
I have yet to see orioles or hummingbirds but I saw swallows
this weekend. I have seen lots of honey
bees, which is good, but no bumble bees, which is odd. Now the dandelions are
blooming maybe some will show up. Mosquitoes won’t be far behind, dump out any
water that can support them breeding before the buggers can use it. Frogs are croaking but I think there are
fewer than last year – maybe this week I’ll hear more as it gets warmer.
My baby chicks are arriving tomorrow. It must be spring.
May almanac
Can you believe its May?
The full moon is May 14th and appropriately enough it’s
called the flower moon. Other names for
May’s full moon are mother’s moon and milk moon- because new mothers and their milk
are everywhere.
May is planting month around here. The best day left to plant above ground crops
is May 13, below ground crops May 21, 22 according to moon stage planting but don’t let that stop you from getting
things planted. However May 13 may be a
little early for some tender above ground plants. May’s full moon is said to be a great time to
harvest any medicinal herbs that are growing for their maximum potency.
May’s birth flower is the Lily of the Valley. It signifies sweetness and humility. It also means a return to happiness and you
are supposed to give them to people you find complete happiness with. (Hmmn not bad for a poisonous plant.) The birthstone is the emerald which is a
symbol of re-birth.
May day, May1, has passed and so has Cinco de Mayo- May 5th
but today is No diet day which is
great. It’s also National Teachers day
so hug a teacher. May 8th is
World Red Cross day and Iris day. Mother’s
Day is May 11. The 16th is Love a Tree day. The 26th is that springboard to
summer day- Memorial Day. But the 29th
is Learn about Composting day and the 30th Water your Flowers Day.
May is National barb-b-que month, National Salad Month and National
Hamburger month- yum. May is also Older
Americans month, Bike Month and Blood Pressure Awareness month.
Michigan right to farm act modifications
April 28, the Michigan Department of Agriculture’s GAAMP committee’s proposals to modify the Michigan Right to
Farm act were passed and the act amended. As some of you may know the MRTF act was
being used by many people in areas that were not zoned for farm animals or
agriculture, (including greenhouse operations, herb farms and the like) to
trump existing zoning ordinances. That
won’t be happening anymore with the new changes.
When the MRTF act was passed in 1981 it was for the purpose
of protecting farmers who were already farming from nuisance lawsuits when new
people moved in around them. People
moved next to farms and then complained about noise, smells and sights that
come with normal farming operations.
Sometimes they actually tried to enact new laws to restrict or remove
farmers who were already in the area.
The MRTF act designed a set of standards (the GAAMPS) to
regulate farming activities such as set- backs, manure and dust management and
so on so that farmers had some guidelines as to what was expected of them. In return the act superseded local zoning and
laws so that farmers could continue farming without harassment from citizens
and local governments.
Now I am for anyone being allowed to keep chickens or grow a
garden for food or even make a little money off an agricultural product. But when I saw people using the MRTF act to
justify having a few pet chickens in the city I knew trouble was ahead. While I don’t think a few chickens are worse
than a neighbors few dogs I do understand that when you allow some people to
have chickens in their 50 feet by 60 feet backyard under the MRTF act another
person may think it’s alright to have a hog or two there. And although I am all for growing your own
food that just isn’t a good thing for everyone, including the hogs.
Because the old MRTF act GAAMPS didn’t address where an
agricultural operation could be placed or how far it had to be from neighbors
if there were less than an animal unit involved- and animal units consisted of
things like a 1,000 hens or 10 hogs so there was a lot of leeway there. Dozens of long and expensive lawsuits erupted
across Michigan as municipalities tried to enforce zoning laws. The Agriculture Department which certifies
that farms meet GAAMPS was being flooded with calls from people who had 2 hens
in the backyard and wanted certification to show their local government. And local governments were flooded with calls
from people complaining about livestock in the city.
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| I love her next door but would you? |
The new amendments to MRTF act
There was a simple solution that was finally added to the
MRTF act. A committee meets every year
to look over the GAAMPS to see if it needs modification. This year the GAAMPS were modified to make a
4th classification for siting a new “farm” regardless of how many
animal units were involved. If there are
more than 13 non- farm residences in a 1/8 mile the MRTF act does not consider it a suitable
site to have a new farm operation or if the zoning does not include
agricultural use it is not suitable. There must also be a 250 feet setback from any
adjacent property line for any livestock operation, regardless of how many
animals are involved.
The new addition also states that any local government is
allowed to make their own rules for agricultural use/farm animals if they
desire. Many local governments have already
modified zoning to allow a few hens in the backyard if they are kept confined
and there are no roosters to annoy neighbors.
Many local governments are recognizing the growing movement to grow some
of your own food and are trying to accommodate those people who want to do that
while protecting the rights of other people.
Whether people who got livestock into residential zoned
areas under the old MRTF act will be allowed to keep them is not clear yet and
I suppose some more legal cases will be filed.
Mixed zoning, such as residential/agriculture which does not already
have guidelines for what’s acceptable needs to have some clear regulations made
by local government. In a mixed zone the
MRTF act would only protect existing farms.
What you may want to do
Work with your local government to put reasonable rules and
regulations in place for keeping farm animals or growing crops. The trend is to be more flexible in this
regard and showing examples of successful regulations in other places is a good
way to convince local governments to modify their own laws. Talk to neighbors and get a large group to
support your zoning modification suggestions. And once the rules are modified animal owners
and crop growers should follow the rules and be considerate of their neighbors.
People rarely have to worry about growing gardens for food
and if they want to sell produce they simply may need to do that at a farmers
market instead of a stand in front of the house. Unless their growing operation makes a lot of
noise, dust or attracts a lot of traffic (or grows illegal crops), most
governments or neighbors won’t care.
It’s not reasonable for townships and other government units
to ban all agriculture and animal ownership when most lot sizes in their area
comprise several acres and it’s not reasonable to expect to be allowed to raise
a hog when the neighbors are 50 feet away.
Common sense and some compromise, as well as clear and fair rules and
regulations can keep everyone happy.
Spring Lawn Care
We mowed part of our lawn today. I love the smell of fresh cut grass. (Yes I
am not much of a lawn person but I still love the smell.) I heard a man in the hardware store telling
his wife he wasn’t going to mow his lawn yet because if you mowed it early it
grew faster all spring. The truth is the
grass will grow fast this time of year whether you mow it or not, as long as we
keep getting rain.
Mowing does stimulate the grass blade to grow but if you
wait too long to mow you’ll be harming the grass. That’s because grass blades should only have
1/3 of their length removed at one time. When you let the grass get 6 inches long
before mowing you’ll probably need to take off 3 inches or half of the length
to make the lawn look normal. Then the
grass will probably look yellow for a few days because the leaf blade concentrates
its chlorophyll in the last few inches of the blade.
The grass plant then struggles to renew its food producing
chlorophyll factories, taking nutrients away from growing healthy root systems. So for healthy lawns, remove only one third
of the leaf surface at a time, even if it means mowing twice a week. Also aim to keep the grass 2½ to 3 inches high
at all times, which is an optimal compromise between healthy grass and looking
like a lawn.
When you mow use a sharp, mulching blade. Sharp blades make a clean straight cut
instead of ragged edges that invite disease. A mulching blade cuts the grass into tiny
pieces. Mulching the grass blade back
into the lawn instead of raking and bagging it is not only ecologically sound
but reduces your lawn care time. If you
return the clippings back to the soil you can reduce the amount of fertilizer
you need also.
If you want to fertilize your lawn use about 3 pounds of a
high nitrogen fertilizer (the first number on the fertilizer bag) to a thousand
square feet of lawn. Follow the package
directions for applying fertilizer. One
fertilization in late-April- early May is all most home lawns really need. If your soil is poor in nutrients or very
sandy a fertilization in late summer –early fall is also beneficial. Keep fertilizers off hard surfaces where they
will wash off into ditches and wetlands, polluting the ground water. Don’t fertilize on windy days for the same
reason and water the lawn after fertilizing or apply before a rain so that the
nutrients go into the lawn and not the ground water.
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| Lawn lover. Photo by Colby Stopa, Flickr. |
Please don’t use weed and feed products, fertilizer with
grub killer or spray on insecticides or weed killers on your lawn. These products are absolutely terrible for
the environment and lawns are not essential enough to justify their use. Homeowners apply more dangerous chemicals to
their lawns than farmers do to the essential food crops they grow.
Seeding or re-seeding a lawn
It’s getting late to seed a lawn but the weather has been
cool and it’s still worth trying if you need to start a new lawn. Buy a good grass seed; it should have at
least 90% bluegrass for Michigan and other Northern states, if your lawn is
sunny. This will be more expensive than
cheaper mixes than often feature a high percentage of annual rye or perennial
rye. Annual rye grows quickly but won’t
come back next year. Perennial ryes make
a rather coarse looking lawn. If you
have a shaded lawn use a shady lawn grass seed mixture.
Grass will not grow where there is too much shade or the
soil is too compacted. To ease soil compaction
dig or till the soil to about 6 inches deep. Poor soil such as subsoil dumped
from new construction needs to be amended with both fertilizer and compost
before seeding. Work it into the existing soil. That’s actually a better idea than dumping a
thin layer of topsoil on top of poor or compacted soil.
Small areas that just need patching can have the soil
roughed up with a rake then add a layer of compost and try to work it into the
soil before seeding.
Sprinkle grass seed evenly over the prepared soil and water
it after with a light mist and not a heavy stream of water. To get grass up and growing it should be
watered every day unless it rains until its 2 inches or so tall. Some people add a light covering of chopped
straw or compost over the grass seeds to keep them moist and hidden from birds.
Don’t mow the new lawn until its 4-5 inches high then only
cut it to 3 inches. Keep foot or other
traffic off the lawn until after the first mowing.
Watermelons help high blood pressure
Add watermelon to the list of foods that taste good and that
are good for you. Eating watermelon may
reduce your blood pressure and help your veins remain flexible. Watermelon has the highest amount of natural L-citrulline
of any food. L-citrulline is an amino
acid that is converted to L-arginine by the body, which then forms nitric acid,
which helps the body regulate blood pressure and keep blood vessels flexible.
Researchers at Florida State University used watermelon
extract for their studies but say that eating watermelon is also effective and
that watermelon should be considered a “functional food.” In addition to helping lower blood pressure
watermelon is low in calories, and contains vitamin A, B6, C, fiber, potassium
and lycopene, not to mention that it is sweet and tasty.
Watermelon is difficult to preserve so eating it fresh is
the way to go. Growing your own or
buying locally grown watermelon is always best, although it can be a challenge
in Michigan to find locally grown or to grow your own melons.
Start melons outside after all danger of frost has passed
and the soil is warm. Use melon
varieties with the shortest days to maturity.
Most people buy transplants or start seeds inside. Melons are heavy feeders, so mix in a garden
fertilizer at planting and plenty of compost. They need regular watering to grow well.
Before you eat any watermelons, including organic ones, make
sure to wash the rind with cool running water and a little mild soap. Scrub off any visible dirt. While the flesh of a melon rarely contains
pesticide residue or harmful disease organisms you can contaminate the flesh if
you slice a melon that hasn’t been washed.
Get out the mower- let the fun begin
Kim Willis
“He who has a garden and
a library wants for nothing” ― Cicero
More Information
Springtime
in Michigan: A wildfire tinderbox
Spring is the time of year with the highest number of wildfires
in Michigan. Most of these are the result of human activities from burning
leaves, brush and other trash. Farms and rural dwellings are most at risk.
In Paw Paw, Michigan, a trash fire from a burning barrel
released embers that set the grass on fire. The grassfire traveled to the
neighboring farm burning about 6 acres of land, a barn, a chicken coop and a
pole barn and caused fire damage to the main home on April 9, 2014. The fire
then “skipped the road,” threatening the property and house across the street.
Fire crews got the fire under control before much damage was done to the farm house
and the house across the street. This wildfire that spread from burner barrel
then across the road could have been much worse. The quick actions of a
passerby who alerted the farm owner; and the expertise and quick response of
four local fire departments gained control of the fire quickly. Thankfully no
humans or livestock were injured but several pieces of farming equipment were
lost in the barn.
Spring is the most dangerous time of year to burn anything.
This is because of the accumulation of dried combustible materials left from
the previous fall and winter. Grasses, weeds and trees all leave their dead,
dried waste littering the ground in the spring. Even if it rains or snows,
these items cannot absorb moisture again. In the spring, this accumulated material
is dry and burnable pretty much anytime. Raking and burning this residue from
your yard should not be your first option.
Michigan State University Firewise recommends that
composting be your first option. Waste paper can be composted along with food
and yard waste. If you do not wish to compost or cannot compost where you live,
then take advantage of the yardwaste pickup program in your community. General
household waste should be disposed of accordingly. If you must burn getting a
burning permit and ensuring that water is nearby at all times are recommended.
If you can wait, wait until the grass is green and leaves are out on the trees.
This reduces the risk of a wildfire being caused by wind-borne embers from your
fire.
So far this year in Van Buren County alone it is estimated
that there have been between 50-60 small wildfire/grassfire calls. Most of the
fires are the result of spot fires created by floating embers from people
burning either trash or brush. Michigan banned open burning of trash, (i.e.
household waste) in 2012. These kinds of fires are mostly from human activities
and are avoidable. There are several Michigan State University Extension
educators working across Michigan provide Michigan Firewise educational
programming and assistance. For more information, you can contact an educator
through MSU Extension’s “Find an Expert” search tool using the keywords
“Firewise communities.”
This article was published by Michigan State University
Extension.
Events, classes and
other offerings
Please let me know if there is any event or class that
you would like to share with other gardeners.
These events are primarily in Michigan but if you are a reader from
outside of Michigan and want to post an event I’ll be glad to do it.
Master Gardeners if you belong to an association that
approves your hours please check with that association before assuming a class
or work day will count as credit.
Do you have plants or seeds you would like to swap or share? Post them here by emailing me at kimwillis151@gmail.com
New -Garden Day August 2, 2014, 8 am – 4:15 pm, Michigan State University Department of
Horticulture, East Lansing Mi.
MSU’s
annual garden day is on Saturday this year.
The keynote speaker is Amy Stewart, author of Wicked Plants, Flower Confidential, and The Drunken Botanist and
other books. Ms Stewart is also the
concluding speaker and you can also stay for a reception after the event where
she will discuss the Drunken Botanist.
You can choose from a number of excellent workshops/classes, 1 morning and 1
afternoon session. Classes include Herbal housekeeping, Best Herbaceous
perennials, Creative Containers, Dividing Perennials, Herbs at Home, Pruning
Basics, Gardening in the Shade, Unusual Trees and Shrubs, Creative Edge, and Going
Native.
Cost
of the event is $85 until July 22nd , $95 after. Lunch and free parking included. Additional
$39 for evening reception. Go to hrt.msu.edu/garden-day-2014 for class descriptions and to register.
2014
MASTER GARDENER ASSOCIATION - GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN GARDEN TOUR – June 22nd
2014.
Celebrate
spring by enjoying a stroll through beautiful gardens in Genesee County's east
side. Each site has its own unique features. The homeowner or a Master Gardener
would be delighted to answer any questions. Although each garden looks very
different, all of the homeowners share the passion of watching their garden
grow and expand each year. Much thought has been put into every loved plant or
garden art. The gardeners believe that the garden is an expression of them.
Fortunately for us, they want to share their masterpiece with us.
Please
join us in touring nine outstanding gardens on Genesee County’s east side
Sunday, June 22 10:00AM - 5:00PM.and visit the For-Mar Truck Farm at one of the
sites. Mark your calendar for the easy self-guided tour. The total tour is 16.3
miles with easy access from I-69 to start at site #1 and I-75 to end at site
#10 home. There are no rules where you start or finish, but the routemoves
nicely goingfromnorth to south or south to nor
Advance
tickets will be available on May 23rd at the MSU Extension office for $10.00,
$2.00 for children under 12. Advance tickets will also be available on May 23rd
from the following merchants:
Bordine
Nursery 9100 Torrey Rd, Grand Blanc - (810) 655-5588
Jenny
B’s Garden Party 9063 Clio Rd. Clio - (810) 687-7742
Piechnik
Greenhouse,13172 McCumsey Road, Clio - (810) 686-9211
Walker
Farms & Greenhouse 5253 Atherton Road, Burton (810) 743-0260
Tickets
may also be purchased the day of the tour (Sunday, June 22rd) at any of the
garden sites. Site addresses will be posted on the web page the night before
the tour. The photo on the ticket cover was by a student that won the coloring
contest at one of Swartz Creek’s elementary schools.
Gardens
will be open for viewing on June 22 from 10A – 5P, Rain or Shine.
Visit
the web site for driving directions/questions: http://GCgardentour.weebly.com/
NOTE:
Gardens open only on this specific day and time. PLEASE BE CONSIDERATE!
Accommodations
for persons with disabilities may be requested by calling Jim Harrow, Plant
& Pest Hotline (810) 244-8548 two (2) weeks prior to the event to ensure
sufficient time to make arrangements. Requests received after this date will be
met when possible.
Heirloom Tomato & Herb Sale Sat,
May 10, 12am – Sun, May 11, 12am, Heritage Place, Southgate, MI, United States
Master Gardeners of West Wayne Co. are having
a heirloom plant sale and plant exchange
at the News Herald parking lot.
Call 313-719-1181 for more info.
Landscaping with Herbs for Large
& Small Spaces Wednesday,
May 14, 2014 , Noon-2:30pm, Big Beaver United Methodist Church, 3753 John R
Road, Troy, MI, United States
Use herbs as
part of your landscape. Light lunch included. $7. Troy Garden Club Register: infoandideas@aol.com.
Tulip Time Festival Sat, May 3, 12am
Through May 10- Holland, MI, United States info- 616-396-4221
Take a road
trip to Holland Mi. for a delightful Dutch holiday, thousands of tulips,
fireworks, great food and more.
9th Annual Plant Sale May 10 – 11,
2014- 10-4pm, Taylor Conservatory, 22314 Northline Road, Taylor, MI, United
States - Silent auction Sun, 10am-2pm
This event
features unusual varieties of perennials, native & butterfly plants/vines
& more. For more information contact
www.taylorconservatory.org.
14th Annual Lake
Orion Flower & Art Fair Friday May 9th, 11-8 and Saturday,
May 10th from 9-6 In downtown Lake Orion at the intersection of Flint and
Broadway Streets.
Stroll the streets and visit vendors selling all kinds of
garden products and plants and also beautiful art.
Habitat for Humanity
Plant Sale, Friday, May 9, 2014, 2:00 p.m. 8:30p.m and Saturday May 10,
2014, 8:00 a.m. 6:30 p.m - Oakland County Habitat for
Humanity Headquarters at 150 Osmun Street, Pontiac, MI.
There will be lots of interesting and colorful plants for
sale and you will be benefiting a good cause if you decide to buy some.
MSU Horticulture
Gardens Public Plant Sale May 17th , 7 am-2 pm. MSU Horticulture Garden, East Lansing, MI.
Your chance to get some of the newest and oddest plants as
well as old favorites. This sale is very
popular, arrive early.
Hidden Lake Gardens
Plant Sale Sat, May 10,10am-2pm- 6214 W Monroe Rd, Tipton, MI
Lots of plants from natives to conifers for sale. www.HiddenLakeGardens.msu.edu
, 517-431-2060.
Newsletter
information
If you would
like to pass along a notice about an educational event or a volunteer
opportunity please send me an email before Tuesday of each week and I will
print it. Also if you have a comment or opinion you’d like to share, send it to
me. Please state that you want to have the item published in my weekly notes.
You must give your full name and what you say must be polite and not attack any
individual. I am very open to ideas and opinions that don’t match mine but I do
reserve the right to publish what I want.
Once again the
opinions in this newsletter are mine and I do not represent any organization or
business. I do not make any income from this newsletter. I write this because I
love to share with other gardeners some of the things I come across in my
research each week. It keeps me engaged with local people and horticulture.
It’s a hobby, basically. I hope you enjoy it. If at any time you don’t wish to
receive these emails just let me know. If you know anyone who would like to
receive these emails have them send their email address to me. KimWillis151@gmail.com
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