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GOOD IDEAS
Summer Gardens
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By Mai Mai Margules, TEAC Landscape Committee
A late spring and rainy June set the stage for a beautiful garden season this July. Many of the first year native pollinator gardens that we planted throughout the Village: Neperan Park, Sarah Michaels extensions, Metro North Station and Gracemere are in full bloom. Our older gardens, Warner Library and Patriots Park, are lush and thriving with all the rain.
Each garden has challenges. We are on the lookout for porcelain berry, bindweed and English ivy in the new Neperan garden. Mugwort is public enemy #1 at Sarah Michaels and Gracemere. MNR has nutsedge and crabgrass. Our volunteers check the gardens and weed weekly to keep these invasives from gaining a foothold. Over time the invasives weaken and the native plants fill in as evidenced at Patriots and Warner, third year gardens. We welcome new volunteers, just reach out: https://pollinators.tarrytownenviro.org/teac-landscaping-committee
It’s vital that first year gardens are well watered so that the plants establish strong roots. Less water is needed each successive year unless there is a serious drought. Planters and pots will always need supplemental watering. You can buy a simple moisture meter for around $10 that will gauge soil moisture and take the guesswork out of watering.
Native plant gardens are low maintenance and low cost to maintain . They are free of pesticides, herbicides and chemical fertilizers. For info on how to start your own garden please visit our webpage: https://pollinators.tarrytownenviro.org/get-started
Please enjoy our new Garden Gallery page on the TEAC website:
https://pollinators.tarrytownenviro.org/the-garden-gallery
And DO visit the gardens in person. The butterflies are finally arriving!
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