May 2007

Finally it appears that spring is upon us!  But remember that in Killingworth you should still keep tender new plants and house plants inside until after May 15th - because there is always a possibility of a light frost depending on where you live in town.  My house plants really need to go outside after that long and very odd winter. 

I have slowly been working on my various beds - clearing out winter debris, enriching the soil, dividing perennials and of course weeding.  As usual there are always a few plants that have not made it through the winter...that last cold snap got a few of my favorites.  But I never despair - because this always gives me a good reason to visit some of our wonderful local garden centers and choose something new.   One thing that often seems to work the best is to choose a native plant to enhance your beds.   Something new to look for this year in your favorite garden centers is the American Beauty section which is a collection of native plants.  Native plants will bring a lot to your garden - they tend to grow well, and they fit into our environment.  They provide food for our native birds and butterflies.  They are not invasive plants.

What is an invasive plant?  Invasive plants are non-native plants that are disruptive in a way that causes environmental or economic harm, or harm to human health.  In minimally-managed areas(like open woodlands or fields), invasive plants crowd out the native plants.  When native plants are crowded out  -  birds, animals, butterflies and insects lose there food sources and homes  and their numbers diminish.  Invasive plants have a tendency to reproduce rapidly and crowd out the natives.  A good example of this is Purple Loosestrife, which can be spotted all over the eastern United States, but particularly along roadside in drainage ditches and in wetlands in mid to late summer.  It is a lovely spiky flower with small purple flowers, but it has become a real nuisance. When choosing new plant materials for your garden choose native or non-native non-invasive plans.   If you are interested in finding out more about invasive plants and good alternatives contact the Connecticut Invasive Plant Working Group(CIPWG) www.hort.uconn.edu/cipwg  (860)486-6448.

As you start to make your list of what you need to add to your garden this spring remember the Killingworth Evergreen Garden Club Annual Plant sale will be held rain or shine(do pray for shine) on Saturday May 12 on Recycle Way from  9a.m. to 2 p.m.  We will have a wonderful selection of perennials, hanging baskets, annuals and herbs and lots of garden club members to assist you with selection and care of plants for your garden.  We hope to see each and every one of you there!