2017 Spring Home and Garden

2017

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A special supplement to The News Sun, The Herald Republican and The Star on March 18, 2017.

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Spring Home & Garden

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March 18, 2017

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March 18, 2017

Spring Home & Garden

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Native plants are beneficial to environment

See NATIVE PLANTS page 4

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

Martha Ferguson, owner of the only native nursery in northeast Indiana, presented a seminar on native plants at a Fort Wayne Home and Garden Show on March 3.

these plants need little to no care,” Ferguson says. Benefits include minimal weeding, less soil erosion and better water retention.

Many invasive species threaten native plants in today’s ecosystem. Invasive species are defined as an aggressive, non-natural species that take over ecosystems and hurt animals.

For example, the Bradford pear tree, known for its white blossoms and pungent berries, is an invasive specie. Its berries

fall in the spring, get eaten by birds, and as a result, are spread to a wider area.

Unfortunately, there are no diseases that affect these trees so their growth is uncontrollable. Thousands of Bradford pear trees are removed every year.

The Indiana Native Plant and Wildflower Society recommends the Serviceberry tree as a replacement for the Bradford pear tree. It has similar size and flower blossoms but lacks the odorous berries.

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AUBURN — “When most people think of native plants, they think of wild prairie gardens,” says Martha Ferguson, owner of Riverview Native Nursery near Spencerville.

Studies have shown that the role native plants play in maintaining the local ecosystem extends not only to landscapes but also to wildlife. Backyard biodiversity depends on the presence of these plants.

Groups such as the Indiana Native Plant and Wildflower Society have made it its mission to help Indiana preserve, conserve, use and study native trees, shrubs and wildflowers. The group hosts

events throughout the year that people can attend such as plant sales, a fall conference and garden tours.

Wild prairie gardens are only one example of how natives can be used.

Other options that include native plants are birdscaping gardens, rain gardens, lakescaping and bioswales.

Now, what exactly is a native plant? A plant is considered native if it was present before the arrival of pioneer settlers and is located within a 50 to 100 mile range from an area.

“The key to native plants is management, not maintenance. Once established,

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NATIVE PLANTS From page 3

The Bush honeysuckle shrub is considered invasive as well. Its berries are eaten by birds but have a far lower nutritional value than those of native berries. Thus, they are considered to be the equivalent of junk food for birds. Ingesting these berries can shorten the lifespan of a bird significantly and is a factor in species extinction.

Invasive species apply to flowers as well. Coneflower hybrid flowers are considered invasive. Coneflowers should be purple and have a single bell shape; hybrid coneflowers have completely different bloom shapes and colors than the original nativar.

“The further away you get from bloom shape and color, the more of an impact there is on pollinators,” says Ferguson.

Another downfall of the hybrid is its sterility. The plant may appear beautiful in non-traditional red and orange but will only last one year. People will have to replace the plant the following year, costing even more time and money.

One native replacement for hybrid coneflowers is the purple nativeclover.

It has fine foliage, unique purple flowers and grows to be two to three feet tall. The

plant is a good source of nectar for the 46 species of bees native to Indiana. It also needs little soil to establish its roots.

If people choose to include natives in their gardens, key things to remember are to plant them in clumps as it’s visually appealing to the eye, to know where the plants came from and if the plants are adapted.

Plant variety is key to a successful garden, Ferguson says. Even adding just one or two native plants can help wildlife survival rates.

For trees, consider the Pagoda dogwood or the Elderberry tree. These provide beautiful blooms, as well as nesting habitats and food for birds.

If a shrub is preferred, take a look at a the spicebush , witchhazel or winterberry holly. They have a beautiful color and add structure to a yard.

Finally, native, perennial flowers such as columbines, garden phlox and zigzag goldenrod add a splash of color to a yard and provide a never-ending source of food for birds and bees.

People interested in adding native plants to their garden can look online for more information at the Riverview Native Nursery website or the Indiana Native Plant and Wildflower Society website.

Local extension services can also be reached for additional information.

March 18, 2017

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

Monarch butterflies rests on a smooth blue aster plant in Martha Ferguson’s backyard in Spencerville, Indiana.

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Spring Home & Garden

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Understanding birds and the role they play in the garden

BY EMELINE RODENAS erodenas@kpcmedia.com

AUBURN — When it comes to the garden, nothing signals the arrival of spring more than a robin gathering twigs for its nest or a cardinal in a tree, chirping for a mate.

Without birds, understanding nature’s changing signs would be impossible.

Birds are important because they keep ecosystems in balance. They pollinate plants, disperse seeds, scavenge carcasses and recycle nutrients back into the earth.

Birds also eat insects, many of which can be considered garden pests.

For example, bluebirds, sparrows and blackbirds are all enemies of the tomato horn-worm. Inviting these birds into your garden will keep the horn-worm population down and save tomato plants from ruin.

“Ninety-seven percent of birds feed insects to their young. Parents will feed a clutch of chickadees between 6,000 to 9,000 worms and they have two clutches a year,” says Martha Ferguson, a DeKalb County Master Gardener and owner of Riverview Native Nursery.

Birds also bring color, pattern and sound

to local landscapes. The male northern cardinal is known for its bright red coloring while its mate displays a lighter shade of red. Downy woodpeckers put on a show with their white and black spots. Orioles flash their vivid orange coloring.

Gardens have urbanized over the past 40 years. Today, gardens tend to have a one-size-fits-all look with a green, freshly mowed lawn, a few shrubs and some trees.

While this may be aesthetically pleasing to the eye and conform to the local homeowner’s association, this puts native bird communities at a disadvantage and could lead many bird species to extinction.

Small birds such as sparrows and juncos seek shelter in small evergreen shrubs.

Larger birds such as mourning doves and cardinals need pine trees for shelter and nesting places. Native birds of prey like the red-tailed hawk depend on tall oak and maple trees to be able to scour the horizon for their prey for miles at a time.

One struggling bird species is the purple martin. These birds are common in rural areas and their black and blue coloring gives them unique appearance. In the See BIRDS page 6 An eastern bluebird perches on a branch in Rieke Park in Auburn.

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BIRDS From page 5

spring, they arrive in the Midwest as early as March.

Historically, these birds nested in tree hollows, old woodpecker holes and cliff crevices located near water. This species is known for nesting in communities, in gourd-shaped houses. With the high rate of deforestation, these birds are finding their nesting sites destroyed and man-made birdhouses are now essential to the species’ survival.

The eastern bluebird is encountering the same issue. Andrew Brandon, recreation coordinator of the Auburn Parks and Recreation Board, is part of the bird preservation movement.

“We are so excited to have a pair of bluebirds in Rieke Park this year. We haven’t seen them in a few years since starlings and house sparrows were taking over all the nests,” he says.

Now, how exactly does one create a bird-safe back yard?

People can do the following to encourage bird populations: • reduce the use of pesticides. Pesticides kill all bugs, which birds depend on as a food source for their young.

• clean feeders regularly and serve fresh seed. Moldy seeds can make birds sick and

spread disease.

• keep cats and dogs indoors to prevent birds from being attacked.

• hang feeders out in the open, a minimum of five feet away from the ground so birds can see attackers coming.

• deter squirrels and chipmunks by putting a baffle system. Make sure they can’t jump onto feeders from nearby bushes, trees or from the ground.

• put up nesting boxes in the area for birds to settle in. Make sure to look up each bird’s nesting requirements in order to attract the right birds.

• ensure that the birds’ needs are met, including accommodating changing requirements for both year-round and seasonal visitors. This can mean putting out different seeds in the spring and suet and fat blocks in the winter, as they are vital for birds to keep warm in below freezing temperatures.

• avoid cutting back dead foliage, limbs and branches from flowers and shrubs in the fall. Spent marigolds and black-eyed susans are an excellent source of seeds for goldfinches in the fall when food sources are harder to find.

The possibilities are endless, with Indiana’s 333 native birds.

One last thing, Brandon says, people should keep in mind is,”Patience is key when it comes to birds”.

OPTIONAL

March 18, 2017

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

A house finch, known for its red coloring, perches on a branch.

Brandon is in charge of spring break events later this month and already has one program planned.

His “For the Birds” program will take place on March 22 at Rieke Park Lodge.

The group will take a hike through Rieke

Park, and instructors will educate parents and children about local birds as well as water fowl. The event will focus on bird habitats, feeding preferences and nesting habits. Participants will build a birdhouse to take home.

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March 18, 2017

Spring Home & Garden

7

Gardeners get head start on spring

BY EMELINE RODENAS erodenas@kpcmedia.com

AUBURN — Prime planting season may be months away but people shouldn’t give up hope.

Winter sowing is one way people can get a headstart on their garden.

Winter sowing is defined as a way to start seeds outdoors in small containers or mini greenhouses, while it’s still winter. For northeast Indiana, which consists of zones 6a and 6b, winter sowing is usuallly done from December to April.

It may sound too good to be true but it’s a technique as old as time.

Winter sowing requires only six materials: plastic containers, soil, tape, scissors, seeds and a pen. A suggested addition is popsicle sticks, which can be put inside the container for additional labeling.

Most people use recycled materials such as one-gallon milk jugs or empty juice containers for their mini

greenhouses. Other options include large plastic lettuce containers and rinsed carryout containers. The container must be deep enough to hold three inches of dirt.

The steps for winter sowing are: • rinse the chosen container in clean, soapy water. Make sure to dry it fully.

•create drainage holes in the bottom of the container using scissors. Containers must have plenty of drainage so seeds don’t rot.

• cut the container in the middle, about 3/4 of the way around, leaving a hinge of sorts for opening the top portion.

• scoop seed starting mix into containers, and wet it down thoroughly • sow the desired seeds according to the seed packet’s directions and cover with more seed starting mix.

•label your container with the plant name and date. Pens and Sharpies will fade while paint pens will not so be aware if you want to know exactly what

is in each container.

• tape your container shut.

• place your container outside in an area where it will get adequate moisture.

Containers can be placed in shallow cardboard box for security and ease of moving.

•when weather begins to warm, check your containers for growth.

Seeds will begin to sprout when weather reaches the desired temperature.

It’s important to make sure seedlings get enough water and sun as weather warms to ensure they grow. Containers can be put in a basin of water if the soil is too dry. It is always best to water from below, rather than above.

People can open the lids for a few hours every day to allow the plant exposure to sunlight. If danger of late frost should occur, the container’s lid can be securely taped back on for the night to protect the seedling from damage.

There are many benefits to winter sowing. One is electricity savings, due

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to the lack of grow lights and heat mats needed.

Seeds that are winter-sown spend a prolonged period of time outdoors and thus do not need to be hardened off.

Winter sowing is eco-friendly and gives new life to containers, which can be reused year after year.

Any plants that are native to the area can be winter sown. Hardy annuals are typically tolerant of colder temperatures and can reseed in most gardens.

Examples of hardy annuals include sweet alyssum, sunflowers, lupine, and phlox.

Tender annuals can also be wintersown; however, it’s recommended that they are sown a few weeks before the winter season ends, and not earlier as these plants are easily killed by frosts.

Tender annuals include cosmos, zinnias, marigolds, basil and parsley.

Once danger of frost has fully passed, seedlings from the mini-greenhouses can be transplanted into the garden to bloom to their heart’s content.

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March 18, 2017

Composting Do’s and Don’ts

BY EMELINE RODENAS erodenas@kpcmedia.com

AUBURN — In the past, when people thought of composting, they pictured large piles of stinky, decaying matter.

However, composting has now been modernized, making it possible for anyone with a garden to compost Composting is the process of recycling materials such as food scraps and yard waste and putting them back into the soil. This allows materials to be broken down and nutrients to be reused.

According to the DeKalb County Purdue Extension says, decomposition is an vital part of the planet’s cycle of life. In nature, a number of organisms break down organic wastes such as excrement and dead plant and animal material. Composting optimizes the microbes’ environment to allow for faster and complete natural decomposition.

Heat speeds up the process as bacteria thrive in warm environments. Some microbes can only survive when temperatures are 113°F to 158°F. Cold temperatures below 55°F can reduce microbial activity and slow decomposition.

Some benefits of composting include improved soil fertility and structure as well as

reduced levels of erosion and weeds. It can save people hundreds of dollars each year.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency estimates that food scraps and yard waste currently make up 20 to 30 percent of what people throw away.

Making compost keeps these materials out of landfills where they take up space and release methane, a potent greenhouse gas that leads to the warming of the planet.

Composting requires three basic ingredients. The first ingredient is brown material, which is a source of carbon. This includes shredded newspapers, sawdust, hair, fur, eggshells and nut shells.

The second ingredient is green material, which provides nitrogen. Examples are grass clippings, fruit scraps and coffee grounds.

Water, the last ingredient, is essential to the process as it provides moisture to help break down organic matter.

Once the organic matter is broken down, the end result is a nutrient-rich soil that helps plants grow.

Certain items should never be put in compost. This list includes fats, grease, oils, meat, pet waste and yard trimmings that have been treated with chemical pesticides, as

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these kill beneficial bacteria. These can also cause odor problems and diseases that can transferred back to plants.

In the Midwest, it is discouraged to put black walnut trimmings in compost because they release substances that can be harmful to plants.

The ratio of brown to green material is most important in composting. There must be an equal amount of carbon and nitrogen-rich materials, otherwise the pile will smell and won’t decompose properly.

Once combined, compost must be turned regularly to help maintain it. The mixing allows for aeration of the soil, which in turn continues the process of bacteria breaking down organic matter.

When space is available, outdoor composting is the most popular option. People choose a dry spot, away from frequented areas, and make a large pile. Having a compost pile allows for a larger variety of sizes of brown and green material. One can easily throw a few small tree branches onto a pile.

Containers can also be used for outdoor composting. These keep areas cleaner and follow most city codes for example, barrels or five-gallon buckets, drilled with holes on the

sides, can be used. Some even come with lids, which adds to the appeal.

For those with no outdoor space, indoor composting is an option. Special bins can be purchased at a local hardware store.

Finally, a worm composting bin, also known as a vermicomposter, is another alternative for more adventurous folks. These bins are kept under kitchen sinks and covered with a lid.

How does one determine when compost is ready? It comes down to two factors: temperature and amount.

Once material is broken down, compost has to cure before it can be used. When curing, compost does not need to be turned. Smaller containers can be ready in weeks while large piles can take months.

Once ready, the DeKalb County Extension suggests applying 1/2 to three inches of compost to gardens before planting each year.

For trees and shrubs, adding one to two inches of compost in a ring around the trunk of the plant provides a slow release of nutrients for roots and helps it retain moisture better.

People shouldn’t shy away from composting as the process can adapted to each person’s environment, time and needs.

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Spring Home & Garden

9

Master Gardeners are digging into spring

BY EMELINE RODENAS erodenas@kpcmedia.com

four counties in the corner of the state: DeKalb, Noble, Steuben & LaGrange.

AUBURN — With spring right In DeKalb county, the closest around the corner, Master Gardeners are program locations are Auburn, Albion back in full swing. and Angola. Fort Wayne is next closest.

Indiana’s Purdue Master Gardener The program consists of two parts.

Program was started back in 1978 to The first part is in the classroom and meet the demand for home gardening teaches horticultural principles. People information. must complete 35 hours of classroom Classes are offered at least once a time. Topics such as plant nutrition and year in DeKalb County but there are soils, insects, diseases, weed identificaalways opportunities to find a class in a tion are discussed. nearby county. Allen County has a class Additional training is also given in beginning the first part of April and then categories such as vegetable gardening, another in the fall. house plants, lawn care, plant propagaIn order to participate, applicants tion and more. must first fill out an application with The second part is done outside payment of $150 attached and return the classroom. Participants take their it to his or her local extension office. newly-learned knowledge and share The extension office then selects the it with others through 40 hours of applicants. volunteer work.

Once a class has a minimum of 10 After these requirements are students, the class can be held. There completed, people are considered are eight sessions, one per week, lasting certified Master Gardeners. Each four hours each. year thereafter, Master Gardeners Diane Sayles, a DeKalb County are required to volunteer at least 12 Master Gardener joined the Master hours and obtain 6 hours of continuing Gardeners in 2001. She took the class See GARDENERS page 10 in Kendallville, with people from the

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

Master Gardeners helped organize the open class Agriculture and Horticulture department at the 2012 DeKalb County Free Fall Fair. They are seen here helping the judge, Bill Wilder.

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GARDENERS From page 9

education.

DeKalb County Master Gardeners maintain the gardens at the ACD museum and the flower beds at the fairgrounds in Auburn, as well as a show garden on the south side of the County Office Building in Auburn.

The group also lends a hand with the exhibits at the DeKalb County Fair in September every year and has a touch table for children in the Exhibit Hall during fair week. The touch table allows children to learn what vegetables look like and where food comes from.

“Last year, we taught the children where popcorn came from,” Master Gardener Joan Hursh says. Hursh became a Master Gardener in 1999.

“I grew up on a mini farm and was always outside so this was a great fit for me. For me, it is especially rewarding to work with kids and share a love of gardening with them,” says Sayles.

Hursh, echoes her sentiments. “My favorite part is working with the the children and the library, especially on Earth day,” she says.

Today, there are currently 40

counties that have active Master Gardener’s programs. The gardeners ranges in age from 40 to 92.

When asked what she would say to encourage young people to become Master Gardeners, “We have a lot of fun and get to know other people as well as the community. There is always something to learn in gardening and we like to play in the dirt,” she says.

In 2016, there were over 2,900 active Purdue Master Gardener Volunteers in Indiana, who contributed more than 159,000 volunteer hours.

This year, the DeKalb County Master Gardeners will be hosting a symposium on Saturday, April 8. It will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Exhibit Hall in Auburn. There will be four speakers on subjects such as wild edibles, invasive plants, wild flowers, and possibly birds and pollinators with an unconfirmed speaker.

Cost for admission will be $15 and will include lunch as well as handouts.

Vendors will also have tables with gardening related products that can be visited throughout the day.

People interested in becoming Master Gardeners should contact their local county extension for more information.

March 18, 2017

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

Two Master Gardeners, Kathryn Rosener and Jane Wilhelm discuss the plants featured at the 2012 plant sale.

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Spring Home & Garden

11

Simple techniques followed to go organic

BY ASHLEE HOOS ahoos@kpcmedia.com

and to look for varieties that specify they are good in containers. When starting a ANGOLA — In a world focused on garden in the yard, it was pointed out that natural ingredients, organic gardening is the grass must die, but without removing another step toward a greener lifestyle. the nutrient-rich topsoil. Members of Crystal Van Pelt, Steuben County ag the group recommended the following extension educator, says organic gardening method: simply uses natural inputs to grow plants.

Place cardboard on the area you want It is not all that easy, though. There to garden. Place compost and soil on top are many factors to consider when of the cardboard. Plant your seeds or organic gardening, including pest and plants directly into this mixture. This will weed control, as well as fighting plant give a raised bed for the year, and the disease. With the right tools and help from grass will die below. The cardboard will local gardeners and educators, organic break down while plants grow, and the gardening does not have to be a daunting following spring, it can all be tilled into task. this newly created garden plot.

“It is not a spray and walk away Organic gardening can be costly when mindset,” Fremont organic gardener John done in high volume, said Lisa Baker of Ludy said.

Baker’s Acres, Angola. Soil tests alone Starting an organic garden can be done can be costly, Van Pelt said, and to have using multiple methods. your produce certified organic can cost During a recent meeting of the Steuben even more.

County Master Gardeners Association, However, when done on small scale, members said you can start your garden in such as a personal garden, Master planters or in your yard.

Gardeners say it is not usually overly Planters can host a myriad of plants expensive. Baker’s offers a few organic

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Successful gardeners must control weeds and pests for their plants to thrive.

Ludy recommends taking the time to build high quality soil with the right combination of plants.

Ludy also uses compost tea and, although rarely, a garlic-infused spray to keep the pests at bay in his gardens. He said organic gardening, for him, has zero negative sides Gardens take work, Master Gardeners say. To avoid the use of chemicals, weeds will have to be pulled by hand or hoed out. Bugs will have to be taken care of by hand – including picking them one by one off of leaves. Bugs can also be sprayed with a water and dish soap mix, which the Master Gardeners suggested, but they also warn that too much soap can burn the plants, so to be mindful when mixing.

When asked about choosing organic gardening over other methods, Ludy said, “This planet is home. Why use chemical shortcuts to harm it?”

A self-proclaimed “greenie,” Ludy and

his wife have been organic gardeners a few years.

Master Gardeners agreed that there is not as much concern with the direct effect on people or the environment when gardening in a natural fashion. The soil nutrients in an organic garden become natural over time because of the rotation of crops. Van Pelt also stated that in organic gardening, people are not killing the microbes and insects that are necessary for plant survival by using various chemicals.

Each gardener has his or her own methods, but all agreed that helping new gardeners have success was important.

The Purdue Extension Office offers resources as well as educators and groups — including Van Pelt and the Master Gardeners Association — to get new gardeners started. Baker said she and her staff are always willing to help people with garden questions.

Everyone asked agreed, gardening is addictive, and you, too, can become a gardener, even an organic one.

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