Hello all!

Come take a six-feet apart stroll along the Batavia Riverwalk to see what is blooming.  Pictured is Virginia bluebells (Mertensia virginica).  There are other plants blooming too, but I don't want to ruin the surprise.  

 

Some people wonder why so many of our plants have Virginia in the name if they are native to this area.  The answer is that in the 1700's when the plants and animals in North America were being discovered and named, Virginia was huge.  It extended to what is now Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, and even part of Minnesota.  

 

Welcome back to Deb McGrath!  She was a volunteer gardener in the past, and has returned after meeting Terri during a video conference.

 

Thank you so much to Al, Deb and Terri for your help last week!  A lot of honeysuckle and deadheads went to the brush pile, and Deb worked on Plot 22. (at least I think that is the right number)

 

We still cannot have official work days, but I will be at the Wildflower Sanctuary on Saturday, May 2nd starting at 9:00, and I would love some company.  I will be working in the area between the cut and the Riverain parking lot.  Gardening gloves, eye protection, clippers, and loppers would be handy to bring.  We still need to stay six feet apart and bring our own tools, water and snacks.

 

Thank you!

Sarah Kimber

Native Plants Chair

Batavia Plain Dirt Gardeners

This is a great time of year to take a stroll around the Batavia Riverwalk and admire all of the spring wild flowers!  While you are there, see if you can find Dutchman's Breeches (Dicentra cucullaria), Prairie Smoke (Geum triflorum) and Cutleaf Toothwort (Dentaria lanciniata).  Bloodroot (Sangunaria canadensis) and Bellwort (Uvularia grandiflora) are also blooming right now. (Pictured: Bellwort)

 

We are still not doing official workdays, but I will be there on Saturday, April 18 starting at 9:00, and I would love some company from 6 feet away.  I will be working on the hill on the east side of the WFS between the sidewalk and the compost bin.  There is a bunch of honeysuckle that has popped up, and still some dead-heading to do.  If you would like to join me, please bring your own tools, gloves, water and snack.  Clippers, loppers, eye protection and WEED WRENCHES would be handy if you have them.  

 

Thanks for your help!

Sarah Kimber

Native Plants Chair

2020 May Plant Sale Upate

The Batavia Plain Dirt Gardeners will be cancelling their May 9 perennial plant sale to continue to keep members and the public safe by following social distancing precautions related to COVID-19.  

At this time we are considering holding a smaller modified plant sale potentially outdoors in the summer.  Stay tuned to our Facebook page and Blogspot for more information should that event take place.

Hello BPDG friends!

Sarah Kimber and I will be working at the WFS and hoping for help and company from 6 feet away on Tuesday, April 7 at 9:00 am. If you’d like to join us, If you join us, please stay at least 6 feet apart, wear your mask, and bring your own tools, snacks and water.  You might want to bring gardening gloves, clippers, loppers, eye protection, and a bucket or tarp for hauling.  

Feel free to wander down to the wooded area near the dam and do a little dead-heading!  

Enjoy the spring weather, and be well –

Terri Hoehne