Aspire To Be…

Buzzwords and phrases like “Plant Native”, “Naturscaping”, and “Nativar” have been toss around as of late. So, what do they mean exactly?

Plant Native – A movement to introduce native plants and naturescaping into mainstream landscaping practices.

NatureScaping is a method of landscaping that allows people and nature to coexist. By incorporating certain plants, especially native ones, into your yard you can attract insects, birds, and other creatures, and help keep our rivers and streams healthy.

Nativar is a cultivar and/or hybrid of a native species and should rule the garden. (used by contributing Ranter Allan Armitage)

Going Native is just another way to do your part in saving our environment.

Armitage’s Native Plants for Northern American Gardens
Native Plants
Enature.com
Native Plant Database
WV Native Plant Society
WV Native Plant and Sources
WV Extension Services
WV State Plant Listings

If you haven’t ordered fruit trees, now is the time. Stark Bros is probably the most known mail-order catalog with an abundance of fruit trees to order. Check out the web to find your favorites. With your existing fruit trees you can go ahead and spray them with a dormant oil spray.

Break out those pruning shears! Prune blueberries, grapes, and deciduous trees and shrubs now.

If you have spring fever start some seeds indoors. It’s a good time to start cold season crops from seed indoors, so clean off those windowsills.  Head lettuce, celery, broccoli, cauliflower, peas and cabbage are all excellent choices.  Herbs can be grown anytime indoors, so if you don’t have plans for an outdoor garden , then start one indoors with herbs.

March is just around the corner and the early planting season will begin.