Saturday, June 18, 2011

Tomorow's Garden Planting is being rescheduled

We needed to postpone tomorrow's planned planting due to logistical challenges, we will reschedule in the coming weeks and will let you know! thanks.

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Garden Plans- Check it Out!

 NWF Habitat Stewards
Johnson Pollinator Garden
610 S. Jason Street

This garden demonstrates some basic habitat garden principles and will provide color and variety from spring to fall. The Colorado natives chosen for this site are host and nectar plants for a variety of bees, butterflies and other pollinators. Shrubs provide shelter and create diversity in height, shape and texture. Differences in flower shape and color attract different pollinators. All of these plants should thrive in local weather and soil conditions.

This plan includes stepping stone paths for gardener access and to encourage exploration – this might not be feasible at this time.

Concepts that can be taught by the garden include:

1. Food for pollinators/ how do plants “advertise” to their specific pollinators?

2. Shelter for pollinators (examples of bee houses in the future?) and habitat structure

3. Seasonality – providing habitat all year long

Habitat Garden Installation on Father's Day, 6/19/11

As some of you know, (and are directly involved) NWF is partnering with Butterfly Pavilion and Colorado Native Plant Society in an effort to provide ongoing training to our volunteers. We have a very neat opportunity to improve wildlife habitat along the South Platte near Alameda and I-25 at Denver's Johnson Habitat Park. This is very cool for a couple of reasons: 1. The area we will improve is alongside the South Platte River Environmental Education (SPREE) building. 2. The site is the "base camp" or kick-off site for a growing project called the Children's Forest Corridor. The corridor will provide a continuum of opportunities for kids and families to engage in the outdoors along the South Platte. This habitat will be a demonstration site -helping kids and families understand what a native wild flower garden looks like, and how they can create one in their own yard or community space.


We have scheduled the installation of the habitat (dig and plant!) for Sunday, June 19, at 9 AM and we would love to have you there! If you have young people that would like to participate in this planning just let me know. As long as they are old enough to help with digging, planting or watering and can stay clear of the river, we'd love to have them too.

The site address is: 610 South Jason St. Denver, CO 80223 This link provides directions: http://www.auroramedteam.org/maps/jhabitat.pdf

PLEASE RSVP to me, so I can bring enough equipment and snacks, My cell phone is 720-273-5247
We'll give a shout out to any and all dad's that elect to join us on their day too!
I hope to hear from you soon.

Julie Gustafson
303-441-5152