Earth Day

Today is Earth Day; we finally have a sunny day, and the climate activists here have big plans!

Agenda today:

1. Wildlife Garden

2. Ground in the earth

3. Rally and Parade

1. Wildlife garden:

I've spent this week making a plan for new native plants to put in, to attract pollinators. Today I'm thinking about an expanse of shady "lawn" (mostly weeds), and looking for some groundcover ideas. I found a post from the OSU extension service on Native Groundcovers

CORVALLIS, Ore. – Groundcovers that spread across open areas and subdue weeds are even more effective if they are native to the area. Those that grow naturally west of the Cascade Mountains work great in local home landscapes.

Groundcovers are well known as weed suppressors ... But they also help the soil retain water and protect against soil compaction by keeping foot traffic away.

For this shady spot, the suggestions are: 

• F. vesca is shade-loving and also good for partial shade.
• Kinnikinnick (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi), a low-growing favorite evergreen, has tiny glossy leaves and reddish woody stems. Look for the northwest native kinnikinnick.
• Western bleeding heart (Dicentra formosa) likes shade, dies back to the ground in the winter and by mid-spring grows about 18 inches with hanging clusters of pink flowers.
• The inside-out flower (Vancouveria hexandra). About a foot high, it has small light-green leaflets and looks similar to ivy. "It's a great groundcover," McMahan said. "It turns a beautiful yellow in late November and December and re-emerges the next year." Although native to coastal forests, it's also partially drought-resistant. It spreads slowly and its roots form a dense mat.
• Wood sorrel (Oxalis oregana) spreads by rhizomes and grows to about 10 inches high. It has light-green, three-lobed foliage and white-to-pink flowers in the spring. It grows well in shade and in colder areas dies back in the winter. If it doesn't, you may want to mow it to force new growth. It spreads fast and once established, McMahan warns, is very difficult to stop.

Looks like I need to make a trip soon to the native plant nursery!

2. Ground in the Earth: 

I've been waiting for this day of sun - a chance to do some contemplative weed pulling!

3. Rally and parade:

We are having a bike ride, a rally with speakers, and a parade today! 

I will revel in being with my grandkids, in public, at an event that honors the earth.

And here's Aldo with his tree flag!