A work team of Kathy and Bill Farris, Amy Perry, Mindy and Paul Sommer, Mary Blackburn and David Beatty and Dan Mitchell helped load up and then unload leaf compost to get the mound ready for spring planting. Amy Perry proposed a new design that will be easier to maintain over time and provide habitat for native insects and birds. Thanks, volunteers!
The Meditational Woods will be 20 years young this year. First Friends transformed an urban acre of grass into a wildlife habitat for people and wildlife. Neighbors love to come through and enjoy our woods.
Spring is a busy time in central Indiana. Not only are the birds busy migrating, finding partners and building their homes, people are thinking about planting more native plants to protect our birds. Here are a few opportunities:
Don’t miss upcoming native plant sales being held by three local partners:
Indy Urban Acres Plant Sale: in person and pre- sale information available here: iuaplantsale.com
Native Plants Unlimited-in person and pre- order information available here: nativeplantsunlimitedshop.com
Marian University Ecolab has an online plant sale starting April 1 through April 30. https://www.marian.edu/about-marian/nina-mason-pulliam-ecolab/programs/community-programs/native-plant-sale
Spring Gardening Workshops from the Marion County Soil & Water Conservation District/NRCS
Learn how to terminate cover crops and plant no-till vegetables! Join Kevin Allison for an in-depth tour of:
· Cover crop termination
· Use of tarps for bed preparation and weed control
· Use of compost and mulches
· No-till vegetable planting
· Growing Biodiversity
In-Person Sessions:
Let’s get together! Sign up for free sessions HERE.
Location: The SWCD Demonstration Garden, located within the larger community Mayor’s Garden at West 56th and Reed Road Thursday, April 14: 10am-11am; Thursday, April 14: 6pm – 7pm; Thursday, May 12: 10am-11am; Thursday, May 12: 6pm-7pm
Virtual Session: Terminating Cover Crops in a No-Till Garden Presentation via Zoom. Sign up HERE. Friday, April 8th 10am-11am
During the month of April, think of one action you can take to honor God’s creation. Is it planting native plants/trees/shrubs? Organizing a neighborhood trash pick-up.? Making your home more energy efficient? Installing solar panels?
Project Drawdown has a free video series with solutions that you can do to address the create a livable future for humans and our kindred creatures. Let me know if you would like to organize a watch party! https://www.drawdown.org/climate-solutions-101
Submitted by Mary B