THE GARDEN'S EDGE
GOOD NEIGHBORS.........GOOD PLANTINGS
Good neighbors are a treasure and in order to keep those relationships happy, the strategic planting of your tree, bushes, grasses and flowers can play a part. The boundary line between properties is often a space used for fences and plantings which buffer the two properties. Fences are regulated in most municipalities including the Village of Sea Cliff and should be placed entirely on the fence holder’s property. No one likes their property being usurped by a structure that is not theirs. The other potentially intrusive property dividers are the plantings. I am referring to the overhanging tree, the privet, and the bushes which usurp and limit the utilization of a property. There are many older plantings, well established which impact your neighbor’s property. There is not much we can do with those but it is important to be mindful of the boundary line when putting in new trees and bushes. Consider backing away from the lot line so when the plant grows it does not limit the functionality of your neighbor’s land.
Bamboo, is the delight of some and the headache of others. Some municipalities have down right prohibited the planting of new bamboo while others want it all gone regardless of how old the plant is. It spreads into your neighbor’s land and then becomes their headache to control. Bamboo is stubborn and aggressive so it is not easily controlled. If you are planting bamboo you should use a barrier. It is apparently a process to install this barrier and detailed steps can be found at http://www.wikihow.com/Install-a-Bamboo-Rhizome-Barrier. There are numerous barriers for sale and you can check at the local nurseries but if they do not carry these type of barriers then Amazon does. Bamboo should be planted backed off the property line and with your neighbor’s rights in mind. It is not fair for them to have to spend time managing your plantings. Be considerate of your neighbors by backing off all plantings so the maintenance does not become their problem and they can fully use their land for the flowers and plantings they want. Older plantings that are well established and are already preexisting are here to stay and not much can be done. It is your neighbor’s right to cut trees, bushes etc. to the property line and it would be best if the owner of the plant maintained both sides of the hedge/tree etc. Newer planting should be planted with your neighbor in mind and backed off the property line. Do not usurp their land and also create a maintenance headache for them. Robert Frost in his poem “The Mending Wall” stated "Good fences make good neighbors.” Defined property boundaries marked either with well-maintained plantings or a fence does foster good neighbors. Local and Fun: The Butterfly Garden at the Marden Triangle (www.flutterbyseacliff.org ). In September there will be a special event –Butterflies under the Stars. There will be live music, drinks & hors d'oeuvres. Garvies Point Museum will be offering their annual Native American Feast November 18 and 19, 10-4. There will be Native American foods, medicinal plants, artifacts and crafts. In addition, the Museum has a bird and butterfly garden available all year. There is currently a shell exhibit in the exhibit hall which will only be up until December. The Methodist Church at Carpenter and Downing Avenues offers a pumpkin patch on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sunday from 12-6. Saturday and Columbus Day is 10-6. This is throughout the month of October and proceeds are donated to charitable causes. In addition, there are baked goods. My daughters and I have been picking out pumpkins there for at least twenty years in spite of the fact we grow our own. ANT ARMAGEDDON - COMING SOONBUTTERFLIES..THE LADIES OF THE GARDEN Hicks 2017 Garden Show –Photograph of their butterfly exhibit
“From cocoon forth a butterfly
As lady from her door Emerged — a summer afternoon -- Repairing everywhere,” Emily Dickerson: The Butterfly’s Day Yes, we all love butterflies….they flutter and glide throughout our gardens. Butterflies are the jewels of the plantings. We plant specific plants and bushes just so they will stay for our personal pleasure. So what do butterflies like? Just like all living organisms they like water, food and shelter. If you supply a pleasant environment, the butterflies will come and stay. And please do not use herbicides in your garden as that will kill or chase away not only the undesirable insects but will also impact the ones you want to stay. Plant types are important, as butterflies like nectar rich plants. Examples include herbs such as catmint, sages and catnip as well as decorative plants including coneflowers, milkweed, salvias, and of course the classic butterfly bush (buddleia/not native to our area). In addition to the nectar these plants offer, you can also put out over ripe apples, bananas and watermelon. Butterflies like their fruit “well aged” if not rotten. If inclined you can make a butterfly feeding station with an aluminum pie tin (you always knew these were good for something besides pies…). Just create three holes and run a string through the hole and gather in the middle. Tie together and hang from a shady tree. Try and hang your feeding station close to other plants rich in nectar. If the butterflies are not attracted you may interest a bat or two. Butterflies like their water a little muddy as this is also a source of minerals. My daughter gave me a butterfly puddler (Uncommon Goods website) which is a watering dish. It is a slab of fired clay with a hole filled with moist sand. But you can create one by sinking a bowl or plate with a thin layer of sand in the garden soil. Surround this with rocks and nectar plantings. The rocks are landing spots for the butterflies. Keep this and all puddlers moist but not over watered. Butterflies do not swim. Shelters are important. Butterflies like to be protected from rain and predators. This includes grasses, shrubs, leaves and the woodpile as preferred spots. Butterfly houses typically do not work well as the woodpile is often the spot of choice. By creating a favorable environment you will attract and keep these “jewels of the garden”. So as they are enjoying your gardens, you will be entertained and amused by them. Things to do…places to visit and shirts to wear Washable, colorable butterfly T-Shirts for children. These are sold by a local Long Island business: https://www.kidzentertainmentinc.com/ and can be recolored again and again. Safe to wash in the washing machine with other laundry as the supplied markers are designed for this purpose. Garvies Point Museum, Barry Drive, Glen Cove: Butterfly Garden by the main entrance. There is also a bird garden by the small red building to the right of where you enter. The Butterfly Zoo: Main Street Nursery, 475 Main St., Huntington. Open July and August but always call ahead 631-549-4515 The Sea Cliff Butterfly Garden: The Marden Triangle. This is between Marden and Lafayette. Sea Cliff’s very own butterfly garden is run by the Flutterby Foundation. You can find out about events at the garden either through the website at www.flutterbyseacliff.org or the Facebook page at Flutterby Foundation Inc. The foundation is looking to expand the gardens this spring/summer. The Foundation will be selling composters at the Spring Fling on June 11 from 11-5. These are high quality composters selling at a discount. The composters will help enrich your soil and help save the environment. At Winter’s Edge Micro Farm we have three. So pack your children in the car wearing their butterfly t shirts and head out to the three nearby butterfly gardens or zoo for a summer’s afternoon of wonder and delight. Or just go by yourself while the children are in camp… THE GLOVE AND BAG INITIATIVE
Spring is here! Really here. Snow is melting and flowers are popping up. We are finally looking like we can shake the hand of winter and move into a season of birds, flowers and sunny days. But as I look around I see all that and something else……garbage. We have litter in our streets and in our parks. Garbage left over from the sad days of winter which are marring our view and the enjoyment of the beauty of our communities. And yes, although we have a very attentive Department of Public Works, they cannot do it all.
So here is my challenge…the glove and bag initiative. There is no glory, no rewards just plain old self-satisfaction. Tuck a glove (garden, old mitten, plastic surgical ) and a paper or plastic bag (they need to be good for something) in your bag, car or purse and when you see garbage…pick it up and place in your disposable bag. Find a public trash can and throw it out. You do not need to clean the street, beach or the park. A corner, a curb or hell strip (that area between the curb and a property line) will do. If we all did that, our communities would gleam. In my most recent travels, areas that could use attention (just examples) are the Tappan Beach parking lot as well as Glen Cove Ave’s hell strips Parking lots also seem to collect a great deal of debris. And yes I know you did not put it there and neither did I but think of it as taking one on the chin for a cleaner environment. With a little bit of effort from all of us and not very much time we can be looking like the community we really want to be. To switch topics, I have decided to provide a Winter Edge Micro Farm Update on a monthly basis since we are out of winter and into spring-officially. So March arrived and we were excited. That excitement turned to disappointment as the snow arrived and then we personally morphed into illness. My youngest daughter brought home the dreaded goo boo, a cold that has been clinging on and on. We have coughed and blown our noses up for a week and a half now. However in spite of it all I did fit in a trip to the Philly Flower Show and a trip over to Hicks Nursery for their flower show. The Philly flower show is well worth the ride. I took a bus trip organized by Old Westbury Gardens and it was wonderful; your fee includes the bus, tickets, a breakfast bag and snacks on the way home. Hicks was free and colorful. So mark your calendars as next March (less than a year away) will come again and bring both events to enjoy. And the big news in the Nassau County gardening world is the opening of Heritage Farm and Garden at the former Martin Vinette location. This will happen in April 2017. I am sure all of us hard core Martin Vinette groupies will be over there as soon as it opens sniffing the place out. So March is a great time for flower shows and getting out and walking your gardens or yard looking for signs of life. Also for picking up litter. March is also good for pruning if weather permits. I had big plans for pruning this year but instead I was inside with a box of tissues watching Fixer Upper. But pruning should be done in March if possible before the new growth. But I do have two days left so I may get it done after all, although I doubt it as rain is in the forecast. I also started putting out my chimes, garden statues and anything I pulled into the garage for the winter. However this is done at the end of March when I feel fairly confident the great snows have abated. March is also good for planting peas, arugula, Swiss chard, spinach, lettuce radishes and onions, if the soil is not water logged. The soil should be moist and crumble when squeezed. This is also the month for cleaning gardening tools. Take vinegar or bleach and wipe your blades, dry and oil. Most gardeners recommend bleach but if you do that dispose of the bleach safely. While this is what we should have done we are starting April behind the curve and will need to play catch up as soon as possible. April is the month of planting bulbs that you have picked up at either the Philly Flower Show, Hicks or your favorite catalogue/garden center. I will be planting my favorites-lilies this year. In addition, you can plant peas, kale, Swiss chard and carrots as well as the March veggies. Start to pull those weeds as they are starting to rear their heads along with the flowers. So prune, plant and pull your way into May. April Events: 4.29 and 4.30 10-5: Arbor Day Fest, 1395 Planting Fields Road, Oyster Bay 516-922-8678 BIG FAT WORMS...GUSHY GUSHY WORMS - IN THE GARDEN
I think I’ll eat some worms
Big Fat worms Gushy gushy worms Worms that wiggle and hop First you cut the head off Suck out the blood Throw the rest away (Musical interlude here) Don’t people know? Not to eat more … More than three times a day? Repeat Regionally adapted camp song- Farmingdale- in an era far far away The good days of camp as a child. The above was a standard song at my camp and we all thought it was great fun to sing it over and over. On the bus, walking to play softball, at lunch (did not gross us out) and almost everywhere. Most people dislike worms or sometimes even hate them. Typically children are amused by them and when I was growing up they were the source of many tales and myths. If you chop them up they will simply grow their mid, back or front parts and spring back to life. But that is when children played in the dirt and outside. When I was working as an archaeologist, I had a student who came to me and was concerned…deeply concerned about the “WORMS”. A assured him he would be too busy fending off ticks and poison ivy to worry about THAT. ( I think he read too many DUNE books by Frank Herbert-the very large rideable sand worms.. remember?) Worms are actually wonderful. They do not bite, are not predatory, do not need to be fed and have no downside other than they are not pretty. Birds think worms are wonderful to eat. The picture of the red robin pulling the worm out of the soil for breakfast is a common image. This is an important food source for birds. So if you want/like birds leave the worms alone and if you can afford to add to the stock. You can buy earth worms. There are many companies on the internet that sell worms. Do not cut a worm in half as it will die since the myth of them sprouting a back or front end is in fact a myth. http://www.worms4earth.com/index.php This is one link to get you started. Worms live in the top 1 to 6 “of soil and are good indicators of the organic matter in the dirt. In addition they release beneficial microorganisms which also helps to create an excellent home for plants. However, if your conditions are not right, buying worms will just be an expense with no success. Worms like PH around 7 and great deal of organic material Also keep tilling to a minimum in warm weather. In order to be a proper host to worms you must have the proper conditions. PH plus organic materials are the keys. Also important is to avoid over tilling, using a fertilizer high in nitrogen and of course no poisonous pesticides. So what are the benefits to have numerous worms in the garden? Worms are the plow masters of the soil and can keep a soil loose so a plant’s roots can absorb nutrients. They are skilled at loosening the soil and aerate the dirt. This allows more water to get to the roots and permits better drainage. In addition, worms eat debris in the soil and their excretions are a positive addition to the soil. This will lead to healthy soil which then leads to great plants. So go out and hug (gently) a worm today and say thank you! THE JOY OF BIRDS IN THE WINTER
Birds, beautiful birds. Not only a sight to behold, but also a joy to hear in the garden or on the front porch……actually anywhere. An entire hobby has been dedicated to catching a glimpse of these acrobats as they glide through the trees and air. We need birds as they are a member of our ecosystem and not only for amusement. Birds have specific purposes which help us not only in our daily living but also in the gardens. These graceful flyers will and do eat insects. So putting aside the song, the chatter, the skilled flying and the beauty, they like bats, will eat insects. Birds however are not the efficient insect eating flying machines that bats are. So how can we attract and keep birds on our property, no matter how many bugs they will eat during the warmer months?
Some of the most common birds in this area are robins, sparrows, wood peckers, morning doves, owls, hawks, grackles, black capped chickadees, starlings, blue jays and nuthatches. This is hardly a complete list just what is super common to our neighborhoods. Most of the birds are seed eaters (except hawks and owls) but some like Robins eat worms and are famous for that worm eating. And of course what article would not be complete without a link to bird watching on Long Island or an ad hoc bird list for Long Island: http://longisland.about.com/od/familiessinglesseniors/tp/Bird-Watching-On-Long-Island.htm Houses: Birds need shelter. Often they will nestle into hedges, shrubs, corners on your porches, eaves etc all to find shelter. My bird houses, are typically well occupied during the spring and summer when families are being raised. I usually find the birds in the hedges during the winter or hiding under the porch eaves. Bird houses are wonderful to build and paint and there are many available in nurseries, hardware or even the larger big box stores. Craft stores are known to have prebuilt but undecorated bird houses and or course you can find all these on Amazon.com. But try local first. The decorating of the bird houses are a wonderful way to pass long snowy days and a great family activity. Try and find a sturdy one with a trap door in the back so you can clean out your bird house at least twice a year. This is done with a diluted bleach in a bucket which you will dip your house into. Wear gloves and a plastic apron if available. The bleach will kill viruses, bacteria etc. that may infect the birds. Place your bird house high up on your house, garage or tree to keep them safe from predators like cats. Food: http://www.rodalesorganiclife.com/garden/winter-bird-feeding Bird food can be purchased at hardware or big box stores similar to bird houses. Sunflowers seeds receive a great reception but those bags of mixed seeds should also be purchased. There are birds that will feed out of the feeders but also ground feeders. Often the bird feeder group will splash food on the ground for the ground feeders but if not sprinkle some seed around for them. Morning doves only eat from the ground for example. There are many clever ways to feed birds from cutting a large square in a cleaned milk gallon and filling with feed to more fancy methods that Proven Winners has provided (open link below or copy and paste)-https://www.facebook.com/ProvenWinners/?hc_ref=PAGES_TIMELINE&fref=nf. Mi Or their website: https://www.provenwinners.com/wildlife In the case of the milk bottle option, cut the large square hole on the side, fill with feed and if you can find a dowel or stick poke that through as a short perch. Suspend this from a tree. Again this is a great opportunity to provide a craft project with young children. My personal favorite was a bagel cut in half, smeared with peanut butter and dipped in sunflower seeds (raw, not salted or roasted) Tie a hefty string or rope around the bagel and suspend from a tree. Within a brief periods all of it will be gone. If you have a feeder you will also need to supply a source of fat. Suet can be placed in a metal cage (something you need to purchase) and suspended from the tree alongside of the bird food. As you feed the birds you are also feeding squirrels but that is part of the experience. In placing your feeders think about potential predators. Hawks will eat other birds as well as cats. So you need to have your feeders some place where they can duck and cover, such as hedges. Water: Yes birds need water even in the winter. The good news is there is typically a puddle or two from melting snow somewhere in the vicinity. Standing water will freeze but if we have a warm dry winter, fill your bird bath or leave out a shallow container of water. Feeding birds and providing real estate not only encourages them to stick around and eat insects but also it is good for the soul. It does not prevent migration or render them unable to feed themselves when the spring and summer rolls around. If anything you are helping them to survive so they will have offspring which will create even more birds. The down side to birds is they will eat our blueberries and other fruits in the garden but we must and should share. I have even been told that feeding the birds chases the winter blues…. reason enough in my mind. All of these links provided are also available on Winter’s Edge Micro Farm Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/WintersEdgeMicroFarm/?fref=ts ) PAST INSTALLMENTS OF THE GARDEN'S EDGE
WHAT'S THE BUZZ...AND IT'S THE BEES
What’s the Buzz….. and it’s Bees!
"We cannot win this battle to save species and environments without forging an emotional bond between ourselves and nature as well - for we will not fight to save what we do not love" Stephen Jay Gould We often read about bees and how they are endangered. The importance of these mostly yellow and black insects that hover over flowers and frighten our children, cannot be stressed. Some of us are allergic to their stings and we keep a wide berth with nature’s pollinators. However, except for this limited downside they are important to our very well being. So how can we help this critical part of our environmental network? Bee Gardens: The easiest project to undertake is to keep a bee garden. This is a garden dedicated to what plants bees like to harvest from. I have a mint garden dedicated to the bees but they do let me steal a sprig from time to time. So dedicate a space and start growing flowers/shrubs/herbs that bees like. This would include bee balm, coneflowers, sunflowers and mints in the summer. For the fall or late summer, cosmos, asters and zinnias. Shrubs that attract bees are butterfly and blueberry/blackberry bushes. Vegetable plants include cucumbers, peppers and broccoli, if allowed to flower. Additional herbs are fennel, catnip, thyme, lavender, sage and rosemary. The earliest plant that helps them out and one of my favorites is snowdrops which pop up in February sometime. If the weather is warm, you may see bees out in late winter. Keeping the Ladies: An entire book could be dedicated to this topic and has. Beekeeping is an old and honorable profession with the end result of organic local honey. There are bee keepers all over Nassau County and even some in our local area. Most municipalities follow the same rules for bees as chickens and so permission is typically sought from the local Board of Trustees. In Sea Cliff, the majority of neighbors within 200 feet must provide approval with each case being handled individually by the Board. I personally do not have bees and although the very thought has great emotional appeal, I have limited time to dedicate to such a project. So I keep a bee garden. No honey, but I like knowing I am providing a food source. Often I work in the garden alongside of the bees and have never been stung or bothered. So try to “bee” friendly and realize when they are out in the garden, they are working and have little interest in the gardener. A great source for up and coming and even experienced bee keepers is: http://longislandbeekeepers.org/. This Long Island beekeeping association has classes in Smithtown and the next crop of seminars begins mid-January 2017. In addition, there are honey contests as well as a slew of good information on bees available on their web site. The article’s above quote is actually from their site and I believe it sums up the attitude we need to foster. We have a direct and tangible relationship with our environment. This includes not only the plants but also other animals. These relationships give us a better definition of us- as people. While not all of us have the space, time, money or immune system to raise bees we can have a bee garden and at a minimum not use pesticides. Stay away from pesticides: Pesticides have a very negative impact not only to bees but also to you and your family. So, just do not do it. There are other homemade/store remedies (vinegar) and organic (neem oil) which will work better and will not hurt the environment. Pesticides have been linked to the collapsed bee colony phenomena. Not good. Buy local honey: Yes, buy local and support our beekeepers. The Mini Mart last year had at least two sellers of local honey. Here are some other sources for local honey: http://tomshoneyandbees.com/ http://www.barnabeehoney.com/ http://organicstoday.net/RawHoneyfromourBees.html Bees, the supplier of honey and a major pollinator are worth protecting and encouraging. So although, we cannot go out and hug a bee, we can certainly be a friendly source of food and a haven of protection. HERE A CHICK, THERE A CHICK...EVERYWHERE A CHICK CHICK...
Here a chick, there a chick..everywhere a chick chick….
Yes, we need chickens. We need them in our communities. It betters us as humans to take care of another animal. Sometimes it is dogs, other time cats, occasionally rabbits or birds and then the other rare more exotic animals that quite frankly belong in the wild. We as humans gain a richer experience by having other life forms that we care for and nurture. Sometimes chickens serve this purpose. Chickens make excellent companions and actually have a surprising intellect. In addition, they can supply us with food. Long Island has a rich agricultural heritage where the land was farmed and animals were kept to supply additional food products. My house has a structure in the rear which now serves as a carport. At one time (1920s and 30s) it was a chicken coop. A constant reminder of our agrarian legacy. In the 1960s until recently, we as a society moved away from this tradition and preferred to get our food from packages offered in supermarkets. Story, after story of compromised quality, diseases (listeria, salmonella) has promoted a movement back to taking our food production back into our own hands. The first reaction typically is that one can save money. The second is wow, this is so much better than the mealy products sold in the hyper extended markets. Chickens are educational to children as well as adults and in addition the keeping of chickens has a long historical place in the human experience. Deny chickens..deny our roots. So while the keeping of chickens has a long history and provides many benefits what is the downside? Rats and roosters. In New York State unless you own a piece of land zoned agricultural, roosters are illegal. There that eliminates the noise which I am assured is not limited to that long song at day break heralding us back to “simpler times”. The second issue is wandering chickens. Just like dogs, chickens must be cared for and kept in a secured area which most chicken keepers prefer, as who wants to spend spare time chasing chickens through hill and dale. All animals must be controlled and parameters set (hence leashes for dogs). The biggest concern is RATS! Yes, those oversized members of the “clean up crew” that also spread disease and can bite. If rats are the concern, please immediately stop reading and do the following- rotate your wood pile. Yes, take it apart and clean it up. Dispose of any rotted members and begin to rotate/use that wood frequently. Rats love wood piles particularly those that are left unused and become more decorative rather than functional. Second, rotate and turn your compost piles. Another rat attraction. Third, clean up any garbage. Do not store debris in open containers and throw it out on your garbage pick up day. And lastly do not over summer your bird food in open containers. an excellent food source for rats and mice. Do not keep bird food in open containers or bags at any time. Make sure the bird food is dry and store in plastic containers. You are not only feeding birds but also mice and rats. And lastly, rats are everywhere at all times. We just happily coexist and typically do not see them. So we are happy. Chicken pens if left dirty may attract rats which will not only eat any fifth and left over food but also the chickens and the eggs, So most keepers keep a clean pen. Chickens eat not only their feed but are always on alert for and eat grubs, crickets, grasshoppers and clearly obviate the need for any pesticide. Any critter than eats bugs is okay with me. In the local communities, the keeping of chickens must be approved by the governmental boards. Sea Cliff requires a certain percent of your neighbors to approve. The best thing to do it check with the municipality (City of Glen Cove, Town of Oyster Bay or the incorporated villages) to see what needs to be done for you to have chickens. And talk to your neighbors. The real problem with chickens? Once you eat their eggs you will never go back to store bought. Some websites on chickens- http://www.mypetchicken.com TheCityChicken.com UrbanChickens.org MadCityChickens.com. BackyardChickens.com To see an suburban example of chicken keeping- This keeper is in western Suffolk- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwgY3GvHTv8 Disclaimer: I do not have chickens personally just the old coop functioning as a carport. The reason- time, time, time. |
BAT HOUSES AND BATS AND YOU
Summer and mosquitos and more summer and even more mosquitos. All the time… 24/7..day and night. Yes, the mosquitos have become unbearable. So what to do? Solutions that do not include soaking the planet in chemicals. Well, the answer lies in BATS! Native to Long Island but mostly disliked due to the fear of rabies, their creepy habit of sleeping upside down and those rather formidable black wings. Of course there are always vampires and Dracula who have unfortunately given these mammals a bad name. But what are they really? Mosquito eating machines that consume a mere 1000 of these pests per hour. So, if they are doing their job and you have six or so in a bat house, that is 6000 pests per hour biting the dust, so to speak. So if everyone in the area gets one house, we may have to import food for them. But that is not going to happen because not everyone will buy and install a bat house. But you could.
My neighbor first mentioned a bat house after slapping numerous mosquitos on his legs. He wants one and I always secretly wanted one but got outed at this point. So promising to do the research this is what I learned. Testimonials: On the Sea Cliff Beautification Garden Tour (next one 2018, so keep an eye out for this), we did visit one house that actually had bat houses. The homeowner was ecstatic and while standing there I did notice there was no onslaught of blood sucking pests. She provided an impressive testimonial to the worth of bat houses. Of course, there are also the typical internet promotions claiming bat houses cure all mosquito problems. The Location: Bats like it sunny and warm. So find a sunny spot 12- 20 feet high for your house. This is important for a bat mom who will have pups. The south side is highly recommended but I think you can get away with the east side. Bats do not like a great deal of branches, trees etc. close by. This is where their predators hide (like owls). So a relatively clear spot, sunny and 12-20’ high is the ticket. The House. Whatever you buy, paint it black unless it comes in this color. This helps to keep the occupants warm. It is recommended that a pup catcher be installed in case a baby bat or two fall from the nest/house. Installation should be secure. Bats do like a water source so a bird bath moved to the immediate vicinity may help in attracting and maintaining residency. I am looking at buying the following bat houses- http://www.bestnest.com/bestnest/bat-houses.asp?src=msn&kw=bat_houses http://giordanosgiftandgarden.com/2016/07/28/are-there-really-bats-in-nassau-county/ This is a local seller https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_1_10?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=bat+houses&sprefix=bat+houses%2Caps%2C188 Bat organizations: http://www.batmanagement.com/Batcentral/batboxes/choosingsite.html https://batconservation.org/ https://www.facebook.com/savebats The Waiting Game: Now one just waits for the bats to show up and discover this potential piece of real estate. And hopefully they have an appetite. I have read you may have to wait until spring but I have also read about fall occupancy. Once you get a family of bats, leave them be. They will go about their business and do not need any help from us. Fortunately or unfortunately, there are more than enough mosquitos to go around. Try not to use any pesticides around the bats. Actually, try not to use any pesticides period. Let me know if you install a bat house and your rate of success. Email: [email protected]. If we all put up enough bat houses and there is a healthy bat population in this area, perhaps we will be virtually mosquito free. Now there is an idea. |
THE SECRET GARDENS
PAST INSTALLMENTS OF THE GARDEN'S EDGE
August 20, 2016 -- All homes deserve a secret garden or a garden that is known only to a few (although I keep showing mine to anyone that pops by). Secret gardens are protected, sheltered gardens that are hidden away and typically unexpected. One of my favorite locations for a secret garden is between two garages or some of those areas along the back line of a property that are rarely visited. You can always recognize a potential secret garden as it typically has tons of weeds, garbage cans or other discarded “stuff”. Your garden should be wide enough to walk in and one that does not foster a badly claustrophobic environment.
So after finding a location for your secret garden design the purpose. This can be a spot for perhaps meditation, or as a beautiful “nook”, as a spot used for communing with nature and or an inspiring place for painting. Then clear the weeds, debris, garbage cans etc. After you smooth the earth, you will have a blank canvas. Now add stones, wood chips, stepping stones or other “flooring” to create texture. Next come the plants-choose according to sun or shade. Recommendations are hostas, trumpet vines, lilies, butterfly bushes and other perennials. Bear in mind sun and rain exposure when planting. Not too much color and think of the Japanese gardens for inspiration. The Humes Gardens in Mill Neck (http://www.gardenvisit.com/gardens/humes_japanese_stroll_garden) come to mind and are always worth a visit. Lastly add chimes, gazing balls and a traditional statue based on beliefs (Buddha etc.). Secret gardens demand serenity so all plants and objects should be aligned accordingly. The last to place is a large sitting rock which can be procured from almost any local nursery. Trellis work can block out exposure to your neighbors and can be obtained locally from any lumber place. You should not need much. My secret garden is between two garages and wide enough to walk through. The sides are lined with hostas and there is a butterfly bush at the head. Along one garage there is a trumpet vine and some ivy. The path is lined with varying slate and some other stepping stones designed by my daughter. There is an opportunity for creativity here! Under the butterfly bush is a large sitting rock which I obtained at a local stone and plant place. It feels serene and cool there, hidden and tucked away. Once completed you can enjoy your space for relaxation. It is a space to meditate or simply to hide when the world becomes heavy and sad. BACK TO 8.22.16 WEEKLY |
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THE KITCHEN HERB GARDEN
Historically the garden adjacent or right outside of the kitchen door was the herb garden which had both culinary and medicinal plantings. You could find this in monasteries or farmsteads in both Americas as well as the Old World and has a very long tradition. And a tradition worth carrying on.
There are two types of herb plantings. The first are culinary herbs which feature savory, sage, rosemary, bay, parsley, basil, oregano, marjoram, dill and chives. The second are `medicinal plants which include fennel, chamomile, comfrey, mints (there is a cross over with culinary here) and others depending on preference. The safest to grow and use is mint, fennel and chamomile, the rest need wisdom and education to use.
Of the medicinal herbs, mint and chamomile are good for the blood and have a relaxing effect on the nervous system. Both of these herbs are the safest to use and the easiest to prepare. Mint is also great to chew and will freshen the breath or can be added to water for taste but not directly eaten (although I have seen herbalists eat mints). There are numerous flavors including grapefruit, spearmint, chocolate and peppermint. Mints will flower and the bees will spend hours collecting nectar from the heads. This plant is hardy and will take over your garden, so remember to set boundaries or plant in containers. Fennel is excellent to settle the stomach or as a digestive aid and the fern like leaves can be eaten.
Mint prefers sun but can be planted in partial shade while chamomile and fennel like full sun. Mints can also be used in teas as well as chamomile and fennel. You can use a tea baller or a strainer loaded with the herb for steeping. Teas can be iced and mint works very well for this.
Culinary herbs should be grown not only because the taste is superior but you will also avoid any pesticides used by commercial manufacturing. These can be dried and stored over the winter, or you can bring your container herb into the house and placed in a sunny window. The best herbs to grow are the herbs you use in cooking or baking. If you do not use lovage then do not bother growing it.
Most gardeners buy herbs based on availability, price and overall attractiveness. Instead buy and plant the herbs you actually use. You can replace most of your kitchen herbs with homegrown except for cinnamon or nutmeg and that may even depend on where you live. Most local herbs, if not all, can be cleaned and then stored. This can be done by freezing in an ice cube tray or dried in the oven on a low setting and then stored in a glass jar. You can also do the traditional hanging upside down routine in a dry clean area with plenty of ventilation. You want to avoid your herbs from becoming moldy. Fresh herbs even though dried are still better than store brought. There are no pesticides or preservatives and may still be fresher at the end of a winter than the alternatives.
In addition, there is something almost comforting about a small garden outside of the kitchen window or door with herbs for the picking. Some herbs can be planted again after the original plantings bolt (parsley for example), flower or are picked clean, Sow throughout the summer. Remember to plant your last crop when the soil is still warm and you will have herbs into the fall. And plant what you use. All culinary plantings should be herbs that are safe to use or that you understand. Watch medicinal herbs around small children so they do not attempt to eat the plant and have an adverse reaction.
Enjoy your plants and allow them to season your food and provide health benefits.
There are two types of herb plantings. The first are culinary herbs which feature savory, sage, rosemary, bay, parsley, basil, oregano, marjoram, dill and chives. The second are `medicinal plants which include fennel, chamomile, comfrey, mints (there is a cross over with culinary here) and others depending on preference. The safest to grow and use is mint, fennel and chamomile, the rest need wisdom and education to use.
Of the medicinal herbs, mint and chamomile are good for the blood and have a relaxing effect on the nervous system. Both of these herbs are the safest to use and the easiest to prepare. Mint is also great to chew and will freshen the breath or can be added to water for taste but not directly eaten (although I have seen herbalists eat mints). There are numerous flavors including grapefruit, spearmint, chocolate and peppermint. Mints will flower and the bees will spend hours collecting nectar from the heads. This plant is hardy and will take over your garden, so remember to set boundaries or plant in containers. Fennel is excellent to settle the stomach or as a digestive aid and the fern like leaves can be eaten.
Mint prefers sun but can be planted in partial shade while chamomile and fennel like full sun. Mints can also be used in teas as well as chamomile and fennel. You can use a tea baller or a strainer loaded with the herb for steeping. Teas can be iced and mint works very well for this.
Culinary herbs should be grown not only because the taste is superior but you will also avoid any pesticides used by commercial manufacturing. These can be dried and stored over the winter, or you can bring your container herb into the house and placed in a sunny window. The best herbs to grow are the herbs you use in cooking or baking. If you do not use lovage then do not bother growing it.
Most gardeners buy herbs based on availability, price and overall attractiveness. Instead buy and plant the herbs you actually use. You can replace most of your kitchen herbs with homegrown except for cinnamon or nutmeg and that may even depend on where you live. Most local herbs, if not all, can be cleaned and then stored. This can be done by freezing in an ice cube tray or dried in the oven on a low setting and then stored in a glass jar. You can also do the traditional hanging upside down routine in a dry clean area with plenty of ventilation. You want to avoid your herbs from becoming moldy. Fresh herbs even though dried are still better than store brought. There are no pesticides or preservatives and may still be fresher at the end of a winter than the alternatives.
In addition, there is something almost comforting about a small garden outside of the kitchen window or door with herbs for the picking. Some herbs can be planted again after the original plantings bolt (parsley for example), flower or are picked clean, Sow throughout the summer. Remember to plant your last crop when the soil is still warm and you will have herbs into the fall. And plant what you use. All culinary plantings should be herbs that are safe to use or that you understand. Watch medicinal herbs around small children so they do not attempt to eat the plant and have an adverse reaction.
Enjoy your plants and allow them to season your food and provide health benefits.
THE GARDEN'S EDGE
DEATH IN THE GARDEN
BEFORE
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AFTER
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Donna Kianka
Winter’s Edge Micro Farm Sea Cliff, N.Y. |
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In each garden there are unloved, unwanted plants. They arrive silently, settle in, set up roots and begin to take over your landscape. Nonnative plants are particularly skilled at this strategy or the “takeover” of your garden. For years, gardeners used chemicals as a means of controlling "the weeds", which has led to adverse results. This included the decline of beneficial insects, animals as well as the inadvertent poisoning of adjacent plants. And also the harm to your physical well being needs to be considered So what to do? You could identify the "weeds" and some may be quite nutritional as well as tasty, to eat. However, we need to know which plants are filled with vitamins and minerals and which ones can harm us.If you are not interested in buying Steve Brills books (http://www.wildmanstevebrill.com/) and making “Borough” salad (which I have eaten), then death and destruction is the only recourse. The first choice although time consuming, is hand pulling both weeds as well as insects. I like to think of it as a zen experience and you can take the time to think, meditate or commune with the higher forces. But it is a lengthy process and my best advice is wear gloves and carry water on the hotter days. Chemicals are not highly recommended but there is something you can use that you can also eat or cheap white vinegar purchased in the biggest container you can find. Buy it by the gallon but realize it will kill nearby plants which could be undesirable. This is good for killing weeds in driveways, in between slabs for walk ways and patios. How do I get rid of the rest of the undesirables in the garden? Mulch, hand pull and broad leaf plants such as Hostas (which I recently read are edible) have a nice broad leaf and reduce weeds nearby. Ground covers can be very helpful also. Hand pulling is a job but with mulch the task can be reduced. Bugs...insects...pests no matter what you call them are an issue. There are organic pesticides for example: Neem oil. This is good for fungus, blackspot, insects, and diseases. There are other pesticides which have ingredients such as-garlic. You could also make your own and there are numerous recipes on the internet. The only problem is, like antibiotics, you get rid of the bad as well as those beneficial bugs in the garden. At Winters Edge we use birds and often hand pick and get rid of insects. I prune cankerous branches and pull diseased plants all which can promote diseases and bugs. It is important not to compost these plants or include bugs you do not want, as you are just spreading it around and around. We feed birds in the winter, have numerous bird houses which encourages them to hang around. So we encourage the good to stay and feast in our gardens. And yes, I do lose a blueberry or two but we share with the natural world and do not fight it. In your small piece of the natural world, work to balance not fight what is out there. See a world that functions in harmony with itself and attempt to jiggle it in a positive way. I am considering buying bat houses as I do like bats and their job in the world eating mosquitos. So what could be better than a flying mosquito eating machine? The other alternatives are Neem oil, lemon grass and citronella plants Think about the impact of your actions before you implement any program of death and destruction in your gardens. The impact is not only on your edibles but also on you. Are the chemicals you are using going to create the cancer of the future? |
THE GARDEN'S EDGE
GROWING WITH YOUR GARDEN
The Garden's Edge
Donna Kianka Winter’s Edge Micro Farm Sea Cliff, N.Y. Your garden should evolve, change and grow, just like we do as humans. Many a newbie starts with an aggressive agenda only to see their newly established beds over run with weeds and fall into ruin….. a garden casualty due to the limited amount of time or flexible knees each of us has. But there is a prudent and tested method to avoid this: start small and grow your gardens over time. Time and time again, I recommend starting with two ” themed gardens”. These can be in containers, raised beds or directly sown into the ground. The first garden should be a collection of herbs that support the cook in the kitchen aka “kitchen herb garden”. Simply, think of all the herbs you use most of the time in cooking and plant those. Limit yourself to the space you have in a container or small bed. I highly recommend basil, oregano, rosemary and parsley to start. Basil is an annual and needs to be harvested before it bolts or flowers. You can dry or freeze the harvest and use the herbs over the winter. Oregano as well as parsley will grow back year after year and both can be harvested to get you through the winter. Rosemary can winter over (I have heard stories) but I never have had success and end up drying and storing it for seasonal use. All of these plants can be brought inside to winter over if you wish to plant in a container and have the room. You can add to your herbs next season, but again do it slowly and do it based on your style of cooking. The second garden should be plantings you can easily and readily use. There is what I call the “basic foundation cooking garden” and includes potatoes, onions and garlic. Garlic is planted in the fall and is harvested around July. Potato gardens need to be rotated every year and planted away from plants such as eggplant due to the beetles and other pests. Potatoes can also be planted in a big container. Onions can be mixed varieties and include both red and white. Another garden I recommend is the salad garden which would include lettuce, radishes, cucumbers and tomatoes. All can be grown in containers. These can all be harvested to provide a combined product (salad) however they do not all produce at the same time. Lettuce is a cold weather plant and will bolt in the heat. Lettuce can also be sown repeatedly so you have a continuous supply or something close. Radishes, for example are harvestable about every 21 days. Planting them every 10 days or so will ensure a continuous supply. Cucumbers are typically ready for harvest before or about the same time as tomatoes depending on when they were planted. The last and very optional but highly recommended planting is for the bees. Mints are great to grow in containers as they are aggressive spreaders, but if you want only mint on your property then sow this plant directly into the earth. They are hardy and the bees will harvest from them after they flower midsummer. In addition, you can pluck a leaf or two for teas and for flavored water. Mint can also be chewed directly and acts as a breath freshener. Plant a mint garden and pick among numerous flavors which includes great choices like: grapefruit, chocolate, spearmint, peppermint and orange. All are good hardy plantings. A basic skill to master is the discipline to water the plants in your garden as needed. Do not overwater and be sure to take the weather into consideration. Plant sun loving plants in the sun and shade in the shade. Read directions on the back of your seed packet and plant at the appropriate time. Do not over fertilize and again read the directions on the back of the package. Use organic products so you are not adding more chemicals to your food. Start small and grow your gardens as you grow your skills and knowledge. You will get more joy and a greater sense of satisfaction out of a small more meaningful garden then a bed of unwanted weeds (some of which may be edible but that is another discussion). |
THE GARDEN'S EDGE
SOIL ...MORE THAN JUST DIRT?
The Garden's Edge
Donna Kianka Winter’s Edge Micro Farm Sea Cliff, N.Y. The soil on your property is not limited to the clay, sand, minerals, rocks and organic debris that you commonly see but also holds a second component; the history of your land. What other variables could potentially impact the quality of your soil? Almost anything that has happened on your property. Common but harmless "finds" include glass, non-leaded ceramics, bones and shingles from slate roofs. Areas with high concentrations of other more toxic materials can include composition shingles, asbestos siding, furnace slag, coal, trash deposits of plastics, chemicals, oil, films, and batteries. Areas with high concentrations are all problematic and those areas should be avoided for growing plants intended for consumption. These spots are best for flowers, bushes or for raised beds or containers. Land close to a foundation should also be reserved for non-edibles. This area typically was sprayed in the mid-century and beyond for pest control (think termites). So how can you tell if your soil is healthy and uncontaminated? Garden preparation and digging will provide valuable clues. If you are not digging up furnace slag as well as other “junk” you are typically in an area suitable for directly sowing into the earth. Older homes typically have one spot or concentration of furnace slag near the house. This is a great place for ornamental plants or a patch of mint left for the bees. The history of your property is a big clue. The good news is most the north shore in this area did not experience farming when toxic pesticides were common after the first quarter of the 20th Century .The earlier your home, typically the safer the soil. There are websites that show the history of your area for example http://www.historicaerials.com for historic aerial maps and http://www.historicmapworks.com/Atlas/US/690/ for the 1906 map. There are also other historic map sites and can be found by googling for this data. But what about those areas of potential contamination or a house where you suspect chemical based activities took place nearby such as golf courses, modern farming, and former sites of industry? If you are sitting near a super fund site, I would suggest you use containers for growing vegetables or herbs and plant directly into the soil, only flowers as well as other ornamental plants. Use organic bagged soil and change it yearly. The other choice is raised beds but you may want to place a buffer between the earth and your bed of soil. Do not use pressure treated wood as a border. Cedar is recommended as well as a natural stone. Plants directly sown into the earth should only be done if you are confident the soil is healthy and toxin free. At Winter’s Edge Micro Farms, Sea Cliff, we have documented the history of the property since the first 1600’s transaction until our purchase. The property was part of a farm as well as a wooded lot until circa 1871 when it was held by the trustees of the Metropolitan Campground Association on speculation. This land was part of a much larger parcel, purchased at foreclosure by Henry Dubois in 1878. The land was then sold to F. Denis Boulon and was part of his flower and plant nursery until 1908 (too early for chemical pesticides etc.).The house was built eight years later. We know the land and plant accordingly. We also use containers but that is only to expand our ability to plant. In total, we have a combination of direct sow beds, raised squares and containers. We also do not plant adjacent to the road (car exhaust) and that area has ornamental plantings. We also avoid areas around utility poles, which is fine for decorative plantings Soil is vital and will be supplying your food with the nutrients and media for plant growth. It is important to make sure your soil is not contaminated as this is where you will grow the very food you plan on eating. Know the history, past usage and pay attention to the non-organic components of the soil by looking at the "artifacts " recovered anytime soil is removed or stirred up. Be safe and be heathy. BACK TO WEEKLY |
