Plan Now for a Colorful Spring

By Rhea Pirch

Ah yes, autumn is coming to a close, and winter is on its way! During our November meeting, after listening to the reading of Mary Oliver’s “The Swan,” we shared thoughts on spending time outside in nature, and how it helps revitalize us.

Then we shifted gears to our roll call and named the types of food we use in our bird feeders. Suet, sunflower seeds, safflower seeds, and “hot seed” were the most mentioned. If you want to keep the squirrels and raccoons out of the feeders, try the hot seed mix. The birds can’t taste the hot pepper, so they can eat without squirrel (or raccoon) interference. Make sure to keep those bird feeders clean! A thorough cleaning before each refill is necessary to save the birds from various diseases and conjunctivitis, a bacterial infection that can cause eyes to become swollen shut and leave the birds blind.

Horticulture chair Mary Shurett offered tips for November gardening. Now is the time to neaten perennial flower beds, fertilize recent plantings, and bring herbs in for winter use. Divide your hanging basket of Boston ferns into thirds and plant them into three new baskets. If you hang them in a sunny window, by spring they’ll be big enough to put outside.

I filled in for Conservation Chair Mellanie Tuttle and reported on seed saving efforts during Hurricane Helene. An article by Helen Bradshaw in “Garden & Gun” magazine described the efforts Chris Smith (founder of the Utopian Seed Project from Leicester, North Carolina) made to rescue his saved seeds from the flooding and humidity, moving bucketfuls of seeds from his basement to a climate-controlled trailer. Even there, the seeds were at risk as the power remained out for three days. He got lucky in the end, but many of the area’s farmers lost seeds that were collected over a lifetime. Come spring, the Utopian Seed Project’s Appalachian Seed Growers Collective and the Seed Savers Exchange will move into action to share seeds that will help farmers impacted by Helene, rebuilding farms seed by seed.

Speaking of seeds, we will host another seed swap at Moon Lake Library in February. The date is still to be determined, so keep an eye on our Facebook page and “The Groundhog” for the announcement. In the meantime, start saving those seeds!

It’s bulb planting time! Member Martha Wood shared her expertise with a program on small bulbs. While daffodils seem to be a favorite of spring landscapes, there are also many other bulbs that will bloom colorful flowers into the new year.

Consider narcissus and mini narcissus, colchicum (naked ladies), or eranthis winter aconite (buttercup). Need something deer resistant? Try wood squill or galanthus (snowdrop). Crocus is a good choice for rock gardens, and if you’re in need of something for the shade, try hardy cyclamen. Other small bulb selections include anemone blanda, chionodoxa (glory of the snow), dwarf iris, muscari (grape hyacinth), ipheion (star flower), and short tulips. Combinations of these flowers will leave your gardens and yards aglow with color all year round. Recommended companies to buy bulbs from include Van Engelen, Brent & Becky’s, and McClure Zimmerman.

We’ll be taking a break from our meeting in December for a Christmas gathering, but we will meet again on Jan. 14 at 10 a.m. at the Moon Lake Library. All are welcome to attend! In the meantime, follow us on Facebook or send us a line at rhododendrongardenclub@gmail.com.