Loudoun on Earth

Our young magnolia tree recently developed a seed pod and has produced the red berries containing magnolia seeds.  This is a recently planted tree (last week of September; the berries appeared about four weeks after planting.  I do not intend to harvest the seeds this year considering the tree has not adapted to its current micro-climate.  And, the berries are an autumnal food source for birds.  For more on magnolia virginiana: link .

As part of our planning for rebuilding our home habitat, we are preparing for the emplacement of a raised bed vegetable garden.  Our plans have been intentionally sequential and in accordance with rebuilding the habitat following the construction of a new house: we first focused on 'green infrastructure': rejuvenating the compacted soil, extraction of invasive plants, emplacement of native plants, and selection of pollinator-friendly plants to accompany bee and butterfly houses. Now that we have re-attracted pollinators and extracted all invasive plants, we have turned to rebuilding the compacted soil and allocating space to a raised bed vegetable garden.  Our intent is to use the garden for fresh produce, as well as canning and dehydrating.  I love beet chips, so that will be on the dehydrating agenda.  The space we have chosen is in between an exterior stairwell extending from our basement and a covered porch/deck.  Currently, there is lawn there tha...

This is an essay about native plant landscape planning and design.  Indeed, this is really a book topic that is summarized into a blog post.  Though the post may be expanded upon at some point, these are the key steps I experienced in revamping a landscape into a native plant landscape in Loudoun County. Step One:  Soil .  I felt my highest priority was and is to repair the soil.  This project began a little less than one year ago when I revitalized my composting program after relocating to Loudoun County.  Composting is the bedrock of an organic garden.  While I have composted for years, which of course reduces household waste and allows for great soil-building, it was urgent when I occupied my current space: the soil was compacted and lacking in nutrients-it was in desperate need of a layer of organic compost.  Some thoughts on compost here ;  bottom line: just start composting your organic food scraps.  Now.  You can compost mo...

Here are some ideas for sustainable, "green" infrastructure projects for less than 100 bucks.  Green infrastructure is a term mainly used to describe the mitigation of harmful rain water runoff through the use of soil and other natural features.  I use it in this blog to describe the micro-environment around your habitat - soil health, your conservation of water, beneficial native plants, and pollinator-friendly practices around your home to boost your sustainability. 1. Rain barrel(s) 2. Labor no cost: Extract any invasive plant species 3. Compost bin (a pile is free) 4. Bee house 5. Plant milkweed from seed 6. Five gallon bucket to make fertilizer tea from weeds 7. Used battery-powered lawnmower (the mowers are usually cheaper than the batteries.  You will prob need at least 56v. 8. Free no labor: let more of your lawn grow 8b. Labor no cost: cover more of your lawn with cardboard or newspaper and then place a coating of mulch on top to prep the area for futur...

Within the past week or so the autumnal navy blue berries of a viburnum on my land have appeared.  This is a maple-leaf viburnum, about 36" in height.  The viburnum is a great plant, its flowers in the spring (May) provide for pollinators, while the berries in the fall provide for a handful of birds.  This particular viburnum is highly adaptable to the Virginia Piedmont and can do well in a variety of soils and ranges of sunlight.  This particular viburnum is in a full sun location.

Apparently, there are many gardeners who wish for a praying mantis to enter their garden space so eagerly that they purchase egg kits to spur the introduction of this insect predator to their gardens.  In line with my habitat philosophy of "what happens, happens, as long as it is organic", I do not subscribe to this concept.  I have, however, seen three praying mantis on my property. Most people want this insect predator to wipe out harmful pests, and the mantis excels at that-so much so that they wipe out beneficial insects like bees and butterflies.  It actually crossed my mind to terminate the mantis to protect the pollinators who visit my pollinator space, but in line with the same philosophy that forced me to not introduce the mantis I decided that nature is nature and I will just have to have as much pollinator friendly resources to create a numbers game.  It really does all start with the plants.  The plants are completely critical to everything and ...

Lately, I have seen a lot of interest in purple coneflowers (echinacea) from bees and monarch butterflies.  I have seen this flower in pastures, median planters, and around neighbors' homes.  At this time of year (late summer/early autumn), the flower seems to be a core nectar producer in the Loudoun area.  I am growing these coneflowers from a local nursery, however, I do plan to grow significantly more since I have a full-sun area with a lot of space to plant since the purple coneflower enjoys full sun and is hardy and can tolerate dry soil. Name: Echinacea Purpurea, grows to a height of two-five feet and blooms June to August.  Enjoys full sun to part shade with dry to medium watering.  Echinacea has medicinal properties and can be used as a herbal infusion, such as to to make tea.  Most of the plant - dried leaves, the flower, roots can be used to make the tea.  Some folks use 1/4 cup of the plant with 8oz of water and honey to taste.