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"Nothing Gold Can Stay" Nature's first green is gold,
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leaf's a flower;
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf,
So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down to day
Nothing gold can stay. - Robert Frost Spring Daffodil Flowers by Kônan Tanigami 1879-1928 |
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Monday, March 16 @ 6:30 pm Vermicompost, or worm compost, is a rich, organic soil amendment created by earthworms consuming organic waste, like food scraps and paper. Worm compost improves soil structure and water retention, making it excellent for both gardens and houseplants. The worms are housed in a self-contained worm bin that take up very little room, and is ideal for apartments or small spaces where traditional composting isn't feasible. In this presentation you will learn the art of vermicomposting, the minimal equipment required, what types of worms are used, and how to care for them. |
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Monday, March 30 @ 6:30 pm Beth Rowley will present on the best plants to grow to invite birds into your garden. She will teach us where to place them for maximum results and how to keep them beautiful in your landscaping and attractive to your feathered friends. Beth is an Advanced Master Gardener and the owner of of Alluring Landscape Design in South Lyon. This presentation is co-sponsored by the South Lyon Four Seasons Garden Club. |
It's March! The LTPL Seed Library cabinet has received a glow-up! It has already been installed at the new library location and we can't wait for you to see it after we re-open on June 1! Between now and when we close for the move on May 4, the seeds will still be available at the seed library area. Please mark how many packets you take on the clipboard. Make sure you think ahead and pick-up the seeds you will need during the month of May when we will be closed! The good news is that most warm weather seeds that are direct-sown will be happy to wait until we reopen to go in the ground. Those include beans, squash, melons, cucumbers, basil, dill, sunflowers, zinnias, and cosmos. The mission of the seed library is to promote gardening and encourage sustainability through seed saving. The seeds are available at no cost to you. Although it is not required, we hope that you will attempt to save seeds from your crops and return them to the seed library to help keep it self-sustaining. |
Sneak preview of the beautiful seed library cabinet! |
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One Seed, One State
Each year, the MI Seed Library Network selects an open-pollinated, seed-grown plant selection and distributes them to Michigan Seed Libraries so they can share them with their patrons. This year's selection is 'Pacific Beauty' Calendula! Calendula is a lovely flower in shades of yellow, gold, and orange and it grows well in cool weather. Not only is it a beautiful flower, the plant is also a healing herb. Seeds will be available at LTPL in March. Watch for the display! |
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In March: - Start seeds indoors for eggplants, peppers, tomatoes, celery, and parsley. Brassicas and greens that can go out as soon as mid-April should be started as well: broccoli, cabbage, kale, lettuce, calendula, and scallions.
- Grow your own sweet potato slips by placing organic sweet potatoes on their side, half buried in potting soil. Provide plenty of light and warmth and remove the slips at their base and root in water before planting.
- Pull back heavy mulch from areas where bulbs and early spring perennials are trying to emerge.
- Prune fruit trees and roses. Prune summer and fall blooming trees and shrubs: shaping, thinning, and removing damaged or weak growth. Do not prune spring bloomers such as azaleas, forsythia, and lilacs until after they bloom.
- Begin fertilizing houseplants as the days grow longer
- Clean out birdhouses by removing all contents (nesting material, feces, wasp nests, insects) and disinfecting it with a birdhouse cleaner or 10% bleach solution.
- Information and online resources for starting and saving seed can be found on the LTPL Website.
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Michigan Gardener Magazine no longer publishes a print magazine. You can still visit the Michigan Gardener website for occasional new articles and the calendar, and browse through digital back issues of the print magazine and newsletters. |
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Find more information on LTPL Grows and other resources! |
Visit and "like" for gardening news, tips and upcoming events. |
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