Wintering-over Potted Native Ohio Plants

NOG - September 2013

No Hoop-house? No Problem

  Wintering over native perennial plants without a hoop-house or greenhouse is not as difficult as you might think. As a matter of fact experimenting with different techniques that help ensure their survival is fun and rewarding.
 
  Native plants typically flower their second or in the case of some stubborn ones like Jack-in-the Pulpit their third season. Introducing market customers to the benefits of gardening with native plants is self-explanatory, if I allow flowering species like: Cardinal Flower, Prairie Phlox and Butterfly Weed to do the "talking".

  I use three different methods to help our native plants ride safely through Cleveland Ohio's unpredictable winters: recycled windows, double-layered nursery pots and a compost/soil mixture.

Pumpkin Recycling

Why Bother Composting Pumpkins?

Pumpkin Recycling 2013

  For the past three years I have posted a Recycle Pumpkins sign on our front lawn, at first my neighbors were a bit puzzled. Why would she want our old pumpkins? They now have a better understanding what all the fuss is about. 

   To say that I am passionate about collecting one of  North America's native squashes is an understatement. I do however have several good reasons to do so. The first: Potassium, Phosphorous and Nitrogen. When pumpkins are no longer illuminated by lively little candles they begin to decay and wither away; that is when the "dance" begins"! Microorganisms transform our Halloween delights into useable nutrients for our soil then ultimately our plants. 

Identifying Milkweed Seedpods

Milkweed Seedpods Come in all Shapes and Sizes

Poke Milkweed - November 1, 2013

  At nodding Onion Gardens we propagate seven different milkweed species, several of which are currently not in production. At different stages of development it is easy to confuse one species from another. Identifying milkweed based on their pods shape is a simple method of learning how to recognize one family member from another.

  The only draw back to this strategy is; like flower color it requires one to wait patiently until the flower blooms or a pod forms. It is not the most efficient means of identification; never the less it is fun and entertaining.