Volunteers needed May 23 for Planting day
We are excited to announce that we will be adding more than 1,300 native plants to three primary areas of the Gardens this spring: outside the main entrance, along the sidewalk and fence at the northern edge of the Gardens, and along the accessible walkway down from the second entrance.
Want to help with this exciting project? Sign up now for specific roles by clicking below!
Volunteer roles include:
Stagers: Carry plants from along accessible walk and arrange in parking spaces by plug trays and by containers and in alphabetical order by botanical name.
Container planter: Work in teams of two to plant quart-, gallon-, and 3 gallon-size plants. One person digs holes where marked and one person places the plant and backfills to include ½ growing mix. Place plastic tag.
Plug planter: Work in teams of three. Plant a group of plugs where marked. First person augers a hole with power drill and assures that batteries are always charging. Second person holds plug tray and either pulls well-rooted plugs out by foliage or pushes plugs out from bottom when not well rooted, and places one plug in each hole. Third person adds growing mix and firms soil around each plug.
Marker setter: Assemble markers and stakes. Place one marker at each group of plants using plastic labels that have been left by the planters as a guide.
Plug potter: Sit at folding table. Remove plugs from trays, center in quart pots, and backfill with potting soil. Add plant label to each quart pot.
Nursery setup: Transport potted quarts in trays to temporary nursery. Set up hoops, place trays within hoops, water, and attach row covers to hoops with clothes pins. Thirty-five trays of quart pots are anticipated.
Rover: Refresh potting soil tubs for planting crews and plug potters, relieve others so they can take breaks, etc.
Waterer: One person waters as other manages the hose
More plants coming soon!
With our deer fencing almost complete, we are ready to rebuild our plant collection. Advisory Board member Bob Oelberg, a local landscape architect, created the designs with input from the Gardens’ Planning and Design Committee.
All of the plants are straight species of plants that are native to the Blue Ridge ecoregion, so they are naturally adapted to our climate and contribute to the ecosystem. Oelberg used a mix of perennials and shrubs to ensure season-long blooms that will not only beautify the Gardens but will support wildlife such as insects and birds.
More than 110 species will be planted – with labels – so these areas will be a great place for home gardeners to gain inspiration. The plants were chosen because they are available to inspired visitors from plant nurseries.
Want to support this huge project? Click here to donate now!
See the plans in more detail below and check out video presentations here:
Design for the main entrance and along the parking lot
Design for the northeast fence, along Horn in the West Drive
Design for along the accessible walkway down from the parking lot