Wild ones in Cedar Springs

The “Wild Ones” gathered for an exploratory walk at Ody Brook on June 21 to view and discuss native plant landscaping. Forty-five people met for a two-hour walk to enjoy the plants and animals in a yard maintained to maximize increased varieties of life. We were greeted by the sounds of Blue-winged Warblers, Field Sparrows, and Eastern Towhees among other birds.

Along the drive we viewed the large leaves of skunk cabbage surrounded by sensitive ferns in the understory of native hardwood wetland trees. Many species of trees, shrubs, and ground plants provide food and shelter for an abundance of surprising wildlife species. Those plants muffle the sounds emanating from the highway traffic and keep it quieter around the home.

The walk up the drive brought us to higher ground where butterflies flitted around a landscape mound. Mowed lawn, field area, shrub land, and forest blended into an appealing landscape. Each was claimed by different wildlife where each species works daily to make its living. Some move among the different habitats. Like members of our human community, work duties are divided among specialists. Each species fills a different nature niche and some generalists have a variety of jobs.

The Common Yellowthroat seeks insects on floodplain shrubs to feed young birds. Kathy Bowler found Question Mark caterpillars eating American elm leaves. Ken Knight found a Viceroy Butterfly on willow. A House Wren announced its territory near birdhouses as the Wild Ones walked nearby. Quietly an Indigo Bunting stood watch in a treetop while an Eastern Phoebe vacated the open yard until the hoard of people passed.

Two sugar maple trees keep the home cool in summer by standing year round on the south and west sides of the home. In the winter they allow sunlight warmth through their naked branches. The dense stand of wetland trees and shrubs between the road and open yard prevent strong winds form taking heat away from around the house and reduce heating bills. In winter, strong winds are not noticed in the yard until we venture away from Ody Brook, where chilling winds are raising heating bills for neighbors who keep open sterile yards to south and north or us.

East of the house two ash trees were planted to provide light shade. Ash trees branches permit filtered light through so we get some morning sun warmth. This is where the phoebe often spends much of its day flying out from tree branches in search of tasty insect morsels. A nest is annually built or remolded in the carport.

Close to the house, it is mowed so we can sit enjoying the sunlight light on the back porch without mosquitoes disturbing us during sunny weather. At mid June, most of the backyard still has not received its first mowing or the year. The Wild Ones were able to experience a carpet of nearly solid pink and yellow flowers where mowing will occur after plants set seed. Many inquiries about plant names erupted from the group. Butterflies, birds, and an American toad, among others, find the yard a most pleasing home full of abundant life to meet individual needs. An Eastern Comma butterfly flitted back and forth above our heads as we compared the two planted 30-year-old ash trees. One tree is six feet tall and the other about 30 feet tall. The tall one has been allowed to grow freely. The shorter one is pruned Bonsai-style to six feet each year. It has a full dense green ball of foliage and is next to a butterfly garden. It appears like a large beautifully dense leaved shade tree in miniature.

Prairie Smoke is a Michigan threatened plant thriving on the sandy soils in the back yard along with Cut-leaved Grape Fern and Ebony Spleenwort. Seven ferns enrich the landscape. Thirty-one species of trees, about 25 species of shrubs, many forbs and grasses host hundreds of animal species needs. Thanks to native plants, we have birds, mammals, and amphibians, reptiles, and a wonderful array of beautiful insects to enjoy. Non-native ornamental plants are beautiful and I grow a few but they do not support many wildlife so we keep them to a minimum. Prior to our purchase of the property, the yard was mowed to the neighbors home and to the creek where fewer species could survive. Sun warmed the brook trout stream. By reducing the yard to the vicinity of the home, septic field and some selected clearings for wildlife, the yard is now haven for life and a wonderful place for wildlife.

I am always hopeful neighbors to the north and south will spend less time on mowers, save money by consuming less fuel mowing, and allow yards to replenish America’s native plant and wildlife diversity.

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Natural history questions or topic suggestions can be directed to Ranger Steve (Mueller) at the odybrook@chartermi.net  Ody Brook, 13010 Northland Dr, Cedar Springs, MI 49319-8433. 616-696-1753.

By Kathy Bond-Borie, Guest Columnist

What’s eating my potatoes?

(Family Features) – Potatoes are a fun crop to grow, especially when it comes time to dig for those buried treasures. Unfortunately, there are numerous pests that are also fond of potatoes. Here are the most common and what to do about them.

Colorado Potato Beetle

In spite of the name, these insects can be found in most states. Both the adults, which are yellowish with black stripes, and the larvae, which are dark red or orange with black spots, feed on potato foliage. Check the undersides of leaves for their orange egg masses and rub them off. Dispose of beetles in a can of soapy water. Bacillus thuringiensis ‘San Diego’ kills the young larvae and it’s harmless to beneficial insects, animals, and humans.

Flea Beetle

Flea beetles are tiny, black or brown, and pesky. They chew small holes in plant leaves and can do serious damage fast if they attack young plants. To foil these pests, cover young plants with fabric row covers as soon as you set them out. Keep flea beetle populations low through crop rotation and by maintaining high soil organic matter.

Aphid

These tiny insects can transmit virus diseases. They suck juices from the leaves and stems of potato plants, stunting their growth. Insecticidal soap sprays are an effective control.

Wireworm

Wireworms are the larvae of the click beetle. They’re a problem when potatoes are planted in a section of garden that was recently in sod. Fully-grown wireworms are 1/2 to 1-1/2 inches long, slender, and brownish or yellowish white. They tunnel into plant roots and tubers, spoiling them. If your soil is heavily infested, contact your Extension Service for advice on solving the problem.

Diseases

You may have a disease problem in the potato patch one year and none at all the next. The weather plays a big part in the health of a potato crop. Moisture and temperature conditions may trigger certain diseases, which will spread rapidly through the potato rows. But there’s no need to simply sit back and let the weather determine the fate of your crop.

To protect your crop, rotate the potato plot each year. Plant healthy, certified seed potatoes. If you have severe disease problems, consider using a standard potato dust or spray regularly throughout the season. These are chemical mixtures that prevent some diseases such as late blight. They thwart some pests, too, such as the Colorado potato beetle. If you use a potato dust or spray, read and follow the directions carefully. To be effective, most standard dusts must be applied to the potato foliage every 7 to 10 days, beginning when the plants emerge from the ground.

The fungus that causes common scab lives in the soil for many years. It’s not active when the soil pH is below 5.4, so if you have a serious scab problem, take a soil pH test. You may want to lower the pH by adding wood ashes to the potato bed. Avoid lime, which raises the pH.

For more tips and garden information visit www.garden.org.

A former floral designer and interior plantscaper, Kathy Bond-Borie has spent 20 years as a garden writer/editor, including her current role as Horticultural Editor for the National Gardening Association. She loves designing with plants, and spends more time playing in the garden – planting and trying new combinations – than sitting and appreciating it.

Courtesy of Family Features

(ARA) There was a time when it was the norm to go out in the yard and pull fresh vegetables up from the soil. At some point over the years, we moved from the goodness of home-grown vegetables toward processed foods and microwave dinners. Now consumers are becoming more aware of the financial value of growing their own vegetables, and how doing so can bolster the health of their families and of the earth.

Vegetable gardening might sound intimidating, but new technologies can make your thumb greener than ever. Combined with good old-fashioned growing techniques, your garden can be healthy and yield a good crop with less effort than you’d imagine—all while being good for the earth. Here are some tips for a garden that is doubly green.

Water, water everywhere, but not too much

A fine balance needs to be struck when it comes to watering your vegetable garden, especially during drought conditions. You want your plants to get adequate moisture, but over watering can be bad for plants and a wasteful use of a precious natural resource. Because it’s better for both your crops and the environment, careful water usage is essential to being a truly green gardener.

Installing an irrigation system is a good way to keep water usage at the ideal levels. Plus, you don’t have to plan a schedule around when you need to water. There are user-friendly, affordable solutions like Mister Landscaper’s new Drip Irrigation Vegetable Kit, which connects to your outdoor spigot. It’s a great way to ensure that your plants get the water they need, without wasting or over watering. The kit is drought approved in most areas and available at Lowe’s in the plumbing department. Watering timers can also make the job of watering even easier. Keep in mind that it’s best to water in the early morning, when the sun is lower in the sky, for 30 to 60 minutes, every other day. For more information about watering vegetable gardens, go to www.misterlandscaper.com.

One man’s garbage is another’s fertilizer

Ever feel guilty about throwing out vegetable and fruit peelings, rinds or scraps? Your intuition might just be telling you that there’s a better way to andle those leftovers. Composting is a great way to make use of organic matter that might otherwise just get thrown away.

Building a compost heap is relatively easy, and it will keep on giving back to your garden and the environment. The four necessary ingredients for composting, according to California’s “CalRecycle” program, are nitrogen (from sources like grass clippings or those throwaway veggie scraps), carbon (from sources like sawdust or twigs), water and air. Once your compost is at the ideal level of decomposition (it will be uniformly dark brown and crumbly), spread it on your garden to give plants a nutrient boost.

Get growing organically

From the moment you start planning a garden, think organic. The most basic and fun choice of all is deciding which plants you’ll grow. Choose organic seeds and starters so that you know you’re buying into an earth-friendly business venture. There’s the added bonus of knowing that your plants won’t be tainted with harmful chemicals.

When it comes to maintaining your garden, you’ll probably need things other than just compost. Look for products that are recognized as organic by respected organizations like the USDA or the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI). You’ll be able to find an ever-growing supply of products like pest repellent or soil amendments.

Growing your own vegetables at home has many benefits: it saves money, allows you to control what your food is exposed to and provides a fun and easy activity that the whole family can participate in. And when you follow these green gardening principles, you’ll be doing something good for the earth, too.

Greg Magoon, of Cedar Springs, hit paydirt his first time out looking for morel mushrooms. Greg said he was out on state land, near Morley, on April 24, when he found some large morels. “I only found a handful, but the biggest ones were roughly nine inches,” he said. “We fried them up with some rainbow trout that we caught that day. What a great meal!”

If you have a plant or animal photo you’d like to send us, please email it to postnews@charter.net.

By Ranger Steve Mueller

May Wild Flowers

Large White Flowered Trilliums command notice in forested areas and some make their way into more open areas. They are most prevalent under shade trees where they have carved out a nature niche for survival. There are challenges to making a living and reproducing under a forest canopy. Trilliums seem to do well in forests that produce deep shade. Sugar Maples’ forest create such intense shade that many understory plants starve. There simply is not enough sunlight for them to thrive.

Spring beauties and wild columbine are just two of the wildflowers blooming at Ody Brook this year.

How then can the trillium find its nature niche there? One way is that it takes its time growing and storing food and it flowers before the leaf canopy shuts off light. It does not race like the hare but plods like the tortoise with growth efforts. Botanists state it takes seven years before it produces its first flower but then it can usually flower annually there after. Annual flowers must race to grow and flower all within one year. That takes rapid growth and is a high-energy effort.

Annual flowers growing in bright sun receive an essential rich supply of incoming energy currency. They use the energy quickly and then quickly spend what they receive for growth and reproduction. Annual plants die that same year and survival of their kind depends on the success of their offspring. Most of their kids die trying to establish a place in the sun the following year. For the few that survive, they race to produce seeds that will disperse and most will die. For annual flowers to continue survival for their species, it is always a race to sprout in a suitable place, grow rapidly, produce flowers, and finally produce seeds before the first killing frost.

Trilliums take a different approach for their kind. The fortunate trillium seed establishes its place where most annual plants would starve spending their earnings too quickly on rapid growth. When first established the trillium will grow slowly using limited available light energy in the shady forest. It stores energy in its underground bank of plant stems for later use. When it has saved enough energy, it can reproduce. Though research botanists tell us it takes seven years for a trillium to first flower, I am convinced this is only a general rule.

I planted mature, large-flowered trilliums to help a native species establish at Ody Brook. Those plants already had essential stored energy in their underground stems for annual reproduction. Surrounding the few plants I planted, new trilliums began to develop and four years later I had additional trilliums flowering. Why would the new plants be flowering before seven years? I helped the plants by reducing competition from other surrounding plants competing for space and nutrients. I planted the parent trilliums near the forest edge where they received more sunlight energy than they would receive in a deeply shaded forest. These new offspring received a good energy income and with adequate currency (sunlight and nutrients) they could flower earlier.

It is still a slow process for a species to expand its population and sustain family units. When I began working at the Howard Christensen Nature Center in 1986, only a few sharp-leaved hepaticas had been able to continue life because of earlier land use practices. Pre-nature center use had eliminated most hepaticas through landscape clearing for agricultural practices. Because most of the soil in the area was not good for agricultural land, it reverted as tax forfeit land. The state then established the Rogue River State Game Area on the most of the surrounding land too poor for agricultural land.

In the area that became HCNC, a secondary forest grew. A robust hepatica plant managed to survive development at an edge near the creek and has delighted us annually with its early blooms. Gradually over the past 30 years a few more of its offspring have began to survive and expand the species population. A century had past since most of the hepatics lost a place to live there but now native habitat reestablishment allows them to slowly spread under the forest canopy of oaks. Most of HCNC still lacks the hepaticas but given a few more centuries it will repopulate. They will establish too slowly for our life times but our future generations will enjoy them.

The one hepatica that survived is likely older than Cedar Springs elder senior citizens. Because the above ground plant portion dies back annually, we do notice its individual long life like we notice for a tree.

In yards, we can re-establish native plant communities than cannot survive in places where we grow annual crops to meet our personal food and energy needs. Our yards can be a haven for native species for us to enjoy. Yards can support biodiversity being lost to human population expansion. We can share nature niches by reducing lawn areas and expanding native habitats to include wildflowers like jack-in-pulpit, wild sarsaparilla, wild ginger, Mayapple, wild geranium, trout lily, wild lily of the valley, false, true, and starry Solomon’s seals, bloodroot, wood anemone, wild columbine, and many more species. Enjoy the short pageant of spring wildflowers that bloom before leafing out of the tree canopy shuts off abundant light needed for flower production. One of my favorites it is the nodding trillium that has its flower hidden beneath it leaves.
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Natural history questions or topic suggestions can be directed to Ranger Steve (Mueller) at the odybrook@chartermi.net  Ody Brook, 13010 Northland Dr, Cedar Springs, MI 49319-8433, 616-696-1753.

By Alixann Spaulding

Jimmy Johnson found this 5-1/2 inch morel mushroom at his home on Penny Road in Cedar Springs. On May 10, his nephew went out and found a few smaller morels, putting Johnson in the mood to hunt. “It’s the biggest one I’ve ever found!” said Johnson. After taking a picture of his great find, Johnson promptly cooked and ate it.
Do you have a photo of plant or animal wildlife you’d like to share with us? Please send it to postnews@charter.net.

Get in on the growing trend and raise your own veggies

(ARA) – Across the country this spring, more Americans will be cutting out sections of lawn, retiring flower beds, building raised vegetable beds and turning their spare time over to gardening. Many of them will be first-timers, inspired to try their hand at tilling the soil for economic reasons as well as the many benefits gardening offers.

In addition to pruning your grocery bill, raising your own veggies offers the benefits of freshness, flavor, convenience, healthful exercise, socialization opportunities and the ability to have more control over what your family eats.

So if you’re ready to try your hand at picking your own produce this year, roll up your sleeves, dig in, and arm yourself with this helpful advice from the experts at Bonnie Plants:

Pick your plot: Most vegetables thrive when they get plenty of sun, so pick a plot that gets at least six to eight hours of direct sun every day. It’s OK to plant leafy greens like lettuce and spinach in shadier spots, but get them in the ground early in the cooler part of the season. Tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and squash will do best in the hotter months.

Think outside of the box planter: Get creative with space. You don’t need a huge yard to plant a veggie patch. Try planting lettuce under tomato vines, or mix veggies into flowerbeds among the bright blooms.

Give veggies a raise: Try raised beds; they’re quicker than planning out a plot. Raised beds will enable you to use near-perfect soil, better organize your garden, improve drainage and provide easier access for maintenance. Time saving tip: Use transplants instead of seeds.

Feed natural plant food: Since one of the reasons for growing your own vegetables is to control exactly what your family consumes, be sure to use all-natural, safe products in your gardens like Bonnie Plant Food which is derived from oilseed extract such as soybean seed extract. Research shows plants are healthier and more vigorous using organically based foods, rather than chemical based options.

Water wisely: One inch of water weekly is adequate for most vegetables. Soaker hoses or drip systems deliver water efficiently and keep foliage dry, fending off leaf diseases.

Pick your produce: Be sure to pick the right plants. To maximize your grocery savings and ensure successful gardening choose vegetable and herb plants that are easy to grow, useful in a variety of dishes, and produce high yields throughout the season. Some sure-fire winners include:

Tomatoes – The most popular home-garden vegetable in America, tomatoes are hard to beat in terms of taste, health benefits and versatility. Bonnie Original Tomato can easily yield 50 pounds of tomatoes.

Yellow squash and zucchini – Although their growing season is shorter than tomatoes, squash are very productive. You’ll pick them every day once the season starts.

Lettuce – As long as the weather is mild, leaf lettuce will keep on producing. If you eat lots of salad, growing your own lettuce can save you lots of money.

Cucumbers – Grown in a cage or on a trellis, a single cucumber plant can produce 5 to 10 cukes. You can get two or three plants on a cage that is just 18 inches in diameter and 4 feet high, so that’s a yield of 15 to 30 cucumbers from a slice of ground no bigger than an end table.

Specialty peppers – Price specialty peppers like jalapeno, or even regular chili peppers, in the grocery store and you’ll be inspired to try growing your own. Hot peppers are especially high yielding and productive in areas with a long, hot summer.

Herbs – Expensive in the grocery store, fresh herbs are easy and economical to grow. Plant one each of sage, rosemary, mint, thyme and chives, and at least three plants of basil. There are several varieties of basil.  Good choices from Bonnie Plants are Sweet, Cinnamon, Thai and Boxwood basil, each with a unique taste.

Bonnie Plants offers a wide selection of vegetables and herbs in eco-friendly, biodegradable pots; just tear off the bottom of the pot and stick it in the soil. Biodegradable pots not only protect varieties from transplant shock, they save tons of plastic pots from entering landfills. For more gardening advice and tips visit www.bonnieplants.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Due to public interest, Solon Township has decided to expand their farmers market/craft show to include an outdoor flea market beginning this Saturday, May 22. The market will be located north of the stable at 15185 Algoma Ave.
“We’ve had a great response,” commented Linda Badgerow, administrative assistant at Solon Township. The farmers market just opened this month.
Flea market vendors can apply with Linda Badgerow at Solon Township 616-696-1718.  A refundable $20.00 deposit will be required to ensure prompt removal of any unsold items. The flea market will run concurrent with the existing farmers market every Saturday through September from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m.

By Janice Benson, Marketing Coordinator, Michigan Land Use Institute

Spring came early to Michigan this year and thanks to the sunny days and the welcome rain recently, the first spears of asparagus have arrived!

As someone who tried hard to eat as locally as possible this winter, asparagus is a thrilling sight. Though I’ve enjoyed all those root crops these past months, something so green and fresh stirs my soul and I’m anxious to try some new recipes and savor my old favorites that I haven’t tasted since last spring.

The Michigan Asparagus Advisory Board tells us that asparagus is one of the most nutritionally well-balanced vegetables in existence, so you can’t get too much in the next several weeks! Time to make frittatas, primaveras, soups, and more.

If you’ve got a great asparagus recipe you’d like to share, send it to us. We’re always looking for new ways to prepare the great local foods of this region, and we’ll add it to our online database to share with others who love local food.

So rejoice…’tis the season of asparagus!

Selecting and storing

* Select spears that look moist, firm, and fresh, with compact tips. Ones with larger diameters are more tender.
* Wash thoroughly, pat dry, and refrigerate as soon as possible after purchasing.
* Bundle spears and stand upright in a container of water to maintain freshness.
* Freezing: Blanche spears for one minute in boiling water. Rinse in ice water, then drain and pack in airtight containers, leaving no head space.

Fun Facts

* Asparagus can grow as quickly as 10 inches in one day!
* Asparagus plants will generally produce for about 15 years without being replanted.
* Michigan ranks third in the nation for asparagus production.
* Michigan asparagus is hand-snapped above the ground, resulting in a more tender and flavorful product.

Nutritional Information:

* A good source of potassium, fiber, Vitamins A, B-6, and C, and thiamin.
* Asparagus has more folic acid than any other vegetable!
* Asparagus contains glutathione, an antioxidant that’s key to preventing diabetes.

Cooking:

* Simple preparation: Place in a tall, covered pot with an inch of water. Stand asparagus upright and steam for five minutes. (This cooks the tougher stalks, while lightly steaming the thinner tops.)
Sources/Links:
Michigan Asparagus Advisory Board, www.asparagus.org

RECIPE:

Asparagus with Sesame-Soy Dressing
One bunch asparagus, tough ends snapped off and cut into 2-
inch pieces
1 Tbsp. soy sauce (lower sodium)
1 Tbsp. toasted sesame oil
3 to 4 drops hot chili oil
2 tsp. sesame seeds, toasted

Instructions:

Bring water in a large saucepan to a boil. Add a tray of ice cubes to a bowl and fill it with water. Blanch the asparagus in the boiling water for 2 minutes and no more. Quickly drain the asparagus and submerge it in the ice water to stop it from getting mushy. Toast the sesame seeds in a skillet over medium heat. Don’t let yourself get lulled into complacency as the seeds stay white for a while. When they start to toast, they do so quickly. Whisk the soy sauce and sesame oil together. Dribble in the chili oil. Drain the asparagus and toss with the dressing. Top with the toasted sesame seeds.
Submitted by:     Dr. Preston Maring, Farmers Market Recipes, Perman

Have you got a recipe?

Got a great recipe that showcases the season? The Cedar Springs Post is building our collection of recipes to share among our readers in the paper and online. Share a recipe using any in-season fruit or vegetable, and we’ll list it on our website! Send your recipe to postnews@charter.net.

Calling all green thumbs and master gardeners in the Northern Kent County area!

The North Kent Service Center is again getting ready to plant their one-acre family garden. They have set aside the week of May 24 to start our planting, weather permitting. They are hoping those who love to grow vegetable, fruits and love to plant and care for gardens will come out and assist them with providing healthy foods items for their clients during the growing season.

This is a great way to assist the North Kent Service Center meet the needs of 10,000 families, plus meet others in the community who also love to garden.
The NKSC also asks that gardeners consider planting a few extra tomato plants, peppers, cucumbers and squash that could be given to clients at the center.
For more information please call project coordinator Tom Nederveld at 874-3256, or NKSC volunteer coordinator Deb McIntyre at 866-3478, deb.mcintyre@nksc.net.