Get growing on your fall garden

(ARA) – You might think the end of summer means bidding farewell to fresh, homegrown veggies. Not so. Many cool-season crops hit their heyday as autumn temperatures drop, and some even taste better when nipped by a light frost.

Some fall crops actually taste better when nipped by a touch of frost.

As long as their basic growing conditions are met, vegetable plants don’t care what season it is. If you live in a warmer climate, you may be able to grow your fall garden all winter long. If, however, you live in a colder area, your growing season will be shorter.

In most regions of the country, gardeners plant fall vegetables in August or September for harvest in October and November. You’ll need to carefully calculate your growing season so you can ensure plants have time to produce before freezing weather arrives. Generally, you should plant fall vegetables when daytime temperatures range between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit (the cooler the better); night temperatures should be above 40 degrees, and you’ll need enough sunshine to ensure plants will get at least six hours of sun per day. You’ll also need to give plants at least an inch of water per week.

To get started, remove all the debris left over from your summer garden so fall crops have plenty of room to grow. Add compost to your garden beds and landscapes. Soil should be light, well-aerated and well-draining – since fall gardens are more likely to get soggy from rain.  Mulch will keep the soil cool and moist during the last days of summer.

Growing fall crops in raised beds can help protect tender plants from frost damage.

You can also mix in an all natural fertilizer like Bonnie Plants, Herb and Vegetable Plant Food, made from soybean oilseed extract, known to contain 150,000 nutritional and organic compounds that include vitamins, minerals, amino acids and proteins, enzymes, plant hormones and carbohydrates. All are vital to plant growth. Next, find out your local frost and freeze dates. For most areas, frost doesn’t have to end the fall growing season. Monitor your local weather forecast during late September and early October so you know when frost is coming.

Once you know your local frost and freeze dates, you can begin planning – and planting – your fall garden. Remember, when growing vegetables in the fall, plants need to be in the ground in time to mature before the first frost, and to yield most of their harvest before the first heavy freeze. Some cool-season crops mature in as little as 30 to 40 days, while others may take several months to produce.

Since time is of the essence when planting a fall garden, start out with transplants that are already growing. Choose fast-maturing varieties, like Bonnie Plants, to get the most for your harvest. The gardening experts at Bonnie suggest these fall crops:

* Winterbor kale – This vigorous producer weathers winter easily, even in very cold climates. Cut outer leaves so that the center can continue growing. Space transplants about 12 inches apart

* Georgia collards – Another leafy green similar to kale, Georgia collards are prized for their sweet, cabbage-like flavor. Space transplants 36 inches apart.

* Romaine lettuce — Romaine packs more vitamins, minerals, fiber, and phytonutrients than other popular types of lettuce. Space transplants 18 inches apart.

* Early dividend broccoli – Popular, productive and easy to grow, this broccoli is high in fiber and calcium. Set transplants 18 inches apart.

* Mustard greens – Offering spicy hot leaves, this is a very fast-growing, nutritious vegetable. Mustard greens always taste sweeter when nipped by frost. Space plants 12 inches apart.

* Bonnie hybrid cabbage – Bonnie’s best cabbage is high in beta-carotene, vitamins C and K, and fiber. Space transplants 24 inches apart.

* Arugula – These fast-growing leafy greens are super-food for your bones. The leaves are “nutrient dense” and low in calories. Leaves grow best in cool weather.

Several weeks ago, the Post ran photos of some herons spotted in a tree in Solon Township. We did not specify what type of heron they were. Our resident wildlife and nature biologist Ranger Steve Mueller has informed us that they are green herons.

“I do not know if people were thinking they were young Great Blue Herons but they are not,” he wrote. “Notice the different body silhouette.”

He explained that the green heron feeds and nests along small creeks like Cedar Creek and Little Cedar Creek. “They usually stay hidden in the stream side thickets and feed out of sight under the shrubs in shallow water. They nest individually in the shrub thickets. Great Blue Herons are colonial nesters in taller trees.”

Thanks, Steve, for letting us know!

To learn more about the green heron, and to see other birds it is related to, visit the Cornell Lab of Ornithology online, or find this story on our website and click on the link http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/browse_tax.aspx?family=10.

We received photos of two giant sunflowers this week!

“My husband took this picture of me standing on a 5 gallon pail on our deck and holding on to the sunflower I planted in April,” wrote Patsy Ladermann, of Sand Lake. “It is 11feet tall and the flower is 14 inches in diameter. I planted several but this is the largest!”

Paul Fankhauser, 9, the son of Mark and Kristy Fankhauser, of Cedar Springs has also watched the sunflowers he planted grow quite large. “This one is 11 feet tall, but it’s curved over,” he explained. Mom said the flower is 12 inches by 9 inches. And they have another one that’s even bigger. The soon-to-be fourth grader is showing a bit of a green thumb—besides the sunflowers he also planted cucumbers and tomatoes in the family garden, and helps to pick them as well.

Do you have sunflowers you’d like to show us? Send photos to postnews@charter.net and give us some information about them.

Cutline:

The DNRE is asking the public the help count the Trumpeter Swan. The picture shows a Trumpeter Swan and her brood. Photo courtesy of the US Fish and Wildlife Service.

It only happens once every five years, and The Department of Natural Resources and Environment is asking the public to help count trumpeter swans for a continent-wide census.

“To obtain the best coverage, we are asking the public to report observations of these birds during August and September,” said Christopher Hoving, endangered species coordinator with the DNRE’s Wildlife Division.

The trumpeter swan’s recovery represents another success in endangered species recovery. Historically, trumpeter swans nested in wetlands across much of the continental United States, including Michigan. By 1885, unregulated shooting and wetland destruction had eliminated the population from the state. By 1900, the species was considered extinct. Decades later, two previously unknown populations were discovered in the Rocky Mountains and Alaska.

Efforts to restore the species to Michigan began in the late 1980s. In 1989, 1990 and 1991, trumpeter swan eggs were collected from pairs maintained by zoos and from wild pairs in Alaska. The eggs were hatched and young were reared in captivity for two years at the Michigan State University Kellogg Biological Station. Initial releases in Michigan occurred at Seney National Wildlife Refuge, Rifle River Recreation Area and MSU Kellogg Bird Sanctuary. In 1992, released birds began to nest successfully and rear offspring, representing the first natural reproduction of the species in Michigan in more than 100 years. Since then, additional birds have been released and the population has grown dramatically. In 2004, 655 trumpeter swans were counted during the late-summer survey.

The highest concentration of the birds can be found in the eastern Upper Peninsula (UP), with additional groups found in the Northeastern Lower Peninsula (NLP) and Southwestern Lower Peninsula (SLP). Trumpeter swans now occur in other areas, including Gogebic and Ontonagon counties in the Western UP, Manistee and Mason counties in the NLP and Washtenaw County in the SLP.

“With oil spills and invasive species like Asian carp and feral swine threatening Michigan wildlife, I sometimes feel discouraged,” said Tom Funke, director of conservation for the Michigan Audubon Society.  “Then I remember that the trumpeter swan was gone from Michigan for 100 years, and yet their song can again be heard over Michigan waters. That gives me hope.”

Although the population is doing well, the trumpeter swan remains protected as a state threatened species, due to the young age of the population and its somewhat limited distribution within the state.

Mute Swans are considered an invasive species and should not be counted.

Both trumpeter swans and mute swans occur in Michigan. Mute swans, which are not native and can be quite aggressive as well as destructive to wetland systems, will not be counted. Citizens making trumpeter swan reports should familiarize themselves with the differences between the two species:

Bill and head: Trumpeters have a black bill with a thin red line on the upper edge of the lower bill, and the head is wedge-shaped. Mute swans have a bright orange bill and a distinctive black knob on the forehead.

Neck shape: Trumpeter swan necks are kinked at the base and often form a ‘C’ curve.  Mute swans tend to hold their necks in an S curve with their bills pointing down.

Voice/Call: Trumpeter swans have a loud, resonant, trumpet-like call.  Mutes are generally silent but can issue a variety of grunts, snorts and whistles.  Photos and additional information on trumpeter and mute swans can be found on the DNRE website at http://www.michigan.gov/dnrewww.michigan.gov/dnre.

Observers should submit reports online at http://www.michigan.gov/wildlifewww.michigan.gov/wildlife under Report Wildlife Observations or by calling 517-373-1263.  Those submitting reports should be prepared to provide the specific location and date of observation. Information on single swans, pairs, pairs with young and flocks with three or more swans will be useful. Only observations made after Aug. 15 should be reported.

“More people have participated in each survey,” said Hoving. “Michigan citizens need to act fast because this opportunity only comes every five years.”

This project is being funded by the Nongame Wildlife Fund, which is supported by citizen contributions. You can support additional work for endangered and threatened wildlife in Michigan through purchase of a “Critical Wildlife Conservation” vehicle registration plate or through a direct contribution to the Nongame Wildlife Fund by sending a check to: Natural Heritage Unit, Wildlife Division, Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment, P.O. Box 30444, Lansing, MI 48909.

Last week we asked if you knew this pigeon. It has been a frequent visitor to the home of Trevor and Sallie Robinson on Becker Avenue. We don’t know who it belongs to, but at least now we might know what the bands on its legs are for.

Melanie Dubart, 14, of Cedar Springs, called and said she thinks it might be a racing pigeon. “Clubs breed them and race them to fly back to where they live,” she explained. “They might take them to Kentucky or somewhere, and then some don’t make it home, and take up with a flock of wild pigeons.” She said while she or her family doesn’t race them, they just bought some pigeons with bands on their legs. She noted that the bands cannot be removed, and that many times an owner won’t want a pigeon back if they can’t find their way home.

According to the American Racing Pigeon Union, pigeons will sometimes continue on home, after they’ve had some time to rest. If not, they can be traced to their owner from the number on the band on their leg. The first two letters tell what pigeon racing union they are with:

AU—American Racing Pigeon Union
IF—Internation Federation
C.U.—Canadian Racing Pigeon Union

For more info on how to care for lost racing homing pigeons, or how to find its owner, visit www.pigeon.org.

The Department of Natural Resources and Environment reminds hunters that the early Canada goose hunting season opens statewide Wednesday, Sept. 1.

Early goose season, designed to target resident giant Canada geese, runs through Sept. 10 in the Upper Peninsula and in Huron, Tuscola and Saginaw counties, and through Sept. 15 elsewhere in Michigan.

Prospects for the upcoming goose season are excellent; the resident Canada goose population is estimated at 300,000 birds, the second highest population ever recorded. Hunters may take five Canada geese daily during the early season.

Wildlife officials remind hunters that a number of Canada geese in Calhoun and Kalamazoo counties within the Kalamazoo River watershed were covered with crude oil following the Enbridge pipeline rupture in late July. Hunters who observe oil-covered geese or other oiled wildlife should report them to 800-306-6837, the Enbridge wildlife response hotline.

Geese that were rescued, cleaned and released sport double leg bands, one of which reads: “Oil Spill Bird Contact Michigan DNRE 1-517-336-5030.”  Hunters who harvest the birds can call the phone number to get more information. The Michigan Department of Community Health suggests that adverse health effects from consuming these birds are unlikely.

Three boating access sites in northern Kent County will close for improvements in August and September.

According to the Department of Natural Resources and Environment, the Camp Lake boating access site near Sparta will close the entrance road for tree removal and road widening from Aug. 30 until Sept. 3. It will then re-open until Sept.13, when it will again close until Oct. 12 for accessibility improvements, paving and pavement painting to improve traffic flow.

Pine Island Lake and Lincoln Lake boating access sites will also close in August and September for projects that will include paving the parking and launch area to improve traffic flow and for better accessibility.

Construction for Big Pine Island Lake in Grattan Township is scheduled to begin on Aug. 23 and continue to Sept. 4, and construction at Lincoln Lake in Spencer Township is slated to begin on Sept. 7 and continue until Sept 18.

These projects are funded by a federal grant from the Coast Guard Marine Safety Fund and the Michigan State Waterways Fund, which is derived from watercraft registration fees, marine fuel taxes and user fees. This is a restricted fund and can only be used for the acquisition, construction, operation and maintenance of recreational boating facilities.

The Department of Natural Resources and Environment reminds hunters that leftover fall turkey licenses go on sale online and at all license vendors at 10 a.m. Monday, Aug. 30. More than 30,000 licenses are available, the bulk of them in southern Michigan.

Most of the available licenses are for private land only, though there are some general licenses in some areas. A hunter may buy one license per day until the unit quota is reached.

Fall turkey season opens Sept. 15 and runs through Nov. 14.

“Fall turkey season provides a great opportunity for hunters to get a bird for their Thanksgiving dinner,” said DNRE upland bird biologist Al Stewart. “And because the season runs through Nov. 14, it gives archery deer hunters the chance to harvest another game animal.”

The placement of private memorials on public lands is becoming an increasingly common occurrence in northern Michigan. While it’s understandable that many people may want to honor lost loved ones by commemorating a special place – perhaps with a cross, bench or marker along a favorite walking trail or in a traditional hunting spot – the Department of Natural Resources and Environment reminds the public that such memorials can actually cause unintended harm.

Lynne Boyd, chief of the DNRE’s Forest Management Division (FMD), said that when people place memorials on state forest land, including state-owned land adjacent to county roads, they’re actually taking that portion of land away from truly public use. Additionally, such memorials can pose a safety concern to travelers on the roads and visitors to the public land.

“When people create their own memorial places on public land, these locations can become spots where donated objects continue to accumulate,” said Boyd.. “As friends and relatives gather to visit and leave mementos at the memorial sites, these locations often become distractions for drivers and put others in potential danger.”

Boyd said although she understands people’s motivations in placing such memorials, the Forest Management Division has to respectfully ask that such items currently on public land be removed. If they’re left on public lands, FMD staff will have to remove them.

Instead, Boyd suggested there are a number of ways that people can honor family and friends with longer-lasting tributes – ones that will not only protect Michigan’s public land and the safety of visitors, but will also contribute to the long-term beauty and preservation of Michigan’s natural spaces and great outdoors.

The DNRE’s Forest Management Division encourages people to consider the following programs:

• Adopt-a-Forest

Michigan has an abundance of forest land that is enjoyed by hikers, bird watchers and hunters. Every year, tons of trash is illegally dumped in Michigan’s forests. Adopt-a-Forest seeks to enhance the enjoyment of public forest lands by eliminating illegal dumping and to increase the awareness of recycling opportunities for waste materials found. For more information, contact Ada Takacs, 989-275-5151, ext. 2049, or visit http://www.cleanforests.org.

• Adopt-a-Park

Every year, millions of visitors enjoy camping, hiking, and sightseeing in Michigan state parks. The Adopt-A-Park program gives volunteers an opportunity to support the rich natural heritage of Michigan’s state park system by adopting a favorite park for a two-year period and focusing on stewardship, park beautification and construction projects and special events. For more information, contact the individual park’s supervisor or Pam Ames, 517-467-7401.

• State Forest Donation Program

The DNRE receives many inquiries from the public about how to contribute to forest management programs on the state’s 3.9 million acres of state forest lands. The State Forest Donation Program coordinates those requests and every year helps to identify key areas of need, including reforestation, erosion control, trash removal and maintenance of recreational facilities. For more information, call 517-373-1275.

• Adopt-a-Highway and Adopt-a-Road

Adopt-A-Highway is a Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) program designed to help keep the state’s highway roadsides clean and attractive. Participants adopt both sides of a section of state highway roadside to clean up over a two-year period. A minimum two-mile stretch of roadway is recommended. For more information, contact MDOT at 517-322-3388 or visit www.michigan.gov/adoptahighway. Adopt-a-Road is a county-administered spinoff of the statewide program; for more information, contact local county road commissions.

-Michigan Land Conservancies

Land trusts and conservancies are non-profit agencies that work to protect natural lands for current and future generations. They work closely with landowners, helping to safeguard scenic areas, wetlands, critical wildlife habitats and other significant natural areas. For more information, contact local land conservancies or visit http://landtrust.org/LTC/NatureOrgWebLinks.htm.

Department of Natural Resources and Environment recreation officials are asking campers to “go green” this season by participating in the department’s Camp Green pilot program.

The Camp Green program encourages park guests to follow environmentally friendly and energy-efficient practices while visiting Michigan state parks and recreation areas. At the 10 locations participating in this pilot program – Aloha, Cheboygan, Clear Lake, Onaway, Port Crescent, Seven Lakes, Tawas Point, Traverse City and Wilson state parks, plus Bay City State Recreation Area – campers will be given information on how to camp green and will be asked to pledge to become a steward of Michigan’s environment.

In order to successfully “camp green,” guests will be asked to:

* Turn off the air conditioning when it is not absolutely necessary, and not leave doors and windows open when the air conditioner is operating;

* Make sure lights are turned off during the daytime and not left on after a camper retires for the evening;

* Ensure water is used sparingly, by taking shorter showers and not leaving faucets running while brushing teeth or shaving;

* Properly dispose of gray water and sewage, and not dump it on the ground;

* Not burn trash in the fire circle; and

* Recycle at the park.

DNRE Recreation Division Chief Ron Olson said that electricity is the largest operating expense for Michigan state parks and recreation areas, and it’s a key focus of the Camp Green effort. “Over the years, many campers have traded in their tents for larger, recreational vehicles usually outfitted with air conditioners,” Olson said. “Air conditioning is the largest consumer of electricity in the parks.”

Olson explained that Camp Green supporters will be given a “reality check” list to assess how green they camped. Anyone who fills out the registration pledging to camp green, and sends in the checklist to one of the 10 participating parks, will receive a window cling for his or her vehicle.

For more information about the GO Green program, contact Jeremy Spell at 231-625-2522.