CW Native Plant Farm

The never ending battle of unadulterated vs cultivated native. Cultivars or nativars are often found in nurseries and encouraged in a lot of articles but have proven problematic in gardens across the country. If you read the article you will find that not all cultivars negatively affect the ecosystem while the occasional cultivar is preferred. When the cultivar escapes it can crossbreed with the wild native and change it making it unavailable to those that depend on it. I al...ways recommend that gardeners be careful about the cultivars they plant and to be honest about why they are planting it. If you want to help the pollinators, birds and mammals - plant the unadulterated native. If you are planting it because you like it then put it in a formal garden bed (if exotic and invasive then plant it where it cannot escape into the ecosystem). If you can’t control it don’t plant it. https://piedmontmastergardeners.org//native-species-or-c/ See more

Blackjack oak has a native range that is just south of western New York. I post it here as part of a series on native oaks as climate instability is changing the soil conditions. I also think it is a good choice for urban areas where exotics and non native oaks are planted. It is one of the few oaks that is drought tolerant and prefers drier soil conditions. It provides all the same benefits that a keystone species provides and is a near local native. The pictures and information comes from Bplant.org and lady bird Johnson wildflower center. #cwnativeplantfarm #cwnativeplants #nativeplants #pollinatorgardening #pollinatorfriendlygardening

There are some helpful tips 1) swamp milkweed is their preferred host plant 2) milkweed is an early host plant by mid summer the leaves are too tough for the little monarch to eat so planting a diversity of host plants is critical. Whorled milkweed, purple milkweed and poke milkweed are northeast native milkweed. Know you natives and 3) cutting some common milkweed down mid summer will increase milkweed eggs and reduce predator populations. Plant more milkweed and nectar plants. #cwnativeplantfarm #cwnativeplants #nativeplants #pollinatorgardening #pollinatorfriendlygardening

Here are plant suggestions of plants that are deer resistant. As a guide it has potential but we all know a hungry deer or fawn will try just about anything. So they are resistant but not fool proof. #cwnativeplantfarm #cwnativeplants #nativeplants

Cultivars and exotics have been hurting the ecosystem for some time now. We are only noticing this in the last few decades because exotics and cultivars are finally reaching a critical mass. If you are planting for native bees, pollinators and birds then the unadulterated native is the best. If you are planting for the joy of planting plant an exotic or cultivar that won’t spread. I, for one, love Lenten roses and have one or two. I do not believe I planted it for anyone but myself. https://e360.yale.edu//how-non-native-plants-are-contribut

Instead of seeing problems find solutions. One common problem is slopes. On my property sloping areas along the creek means losing soil so I planted mountain maple. If you have a sloped area it could become a native garden. https://buffalo-niagaragardening.com//slope-in-garden-tur/

Visions of spring are dancing in my head. Looking forward to all the native plants that bring in the native pollinators. #cwnativeplantfarm #cwnativeplants #wnynativeplantcollaborative #wnynativeplants #pollinatorgarden #nativeplants

Watching Doug Tallamy talk about specialized relationships energized me again this fall. I too purchased 10 acres to restore the habitat that once belonged here. 5 years of back breaking work has resulted in hundreds of species that have been restored to a one time horse pasture. Is it worth it? You bet. It is by far the most amazing part of my life.

The Rochester garden club has the latest Doug Tallamy presentation on their website. Tallamy presents a strong argument for a homegrown national Park. The idea that we all can provide native habitat in our own yard. So powerful. The idea that we can do something - we don’t have to wait for government to do it or towns. That we can do something so simple to provide for so many. Tallamy suggests that you 1)Shrink lawn (Cut lawn in half. 20 million acres if everyone did it). 2)... Plant keystone plants (5% of native plants are making 75% of caterpillars) 3) Keystone species work well except when we have the lights on. Light pollution kills bugs. Keystone species include Native Oaks, Native cherries, Native willows, Native birches, Poplars, Native maples) as well as Goldenrods, Asters, Sunflowers, Nightshade, Strawberry, Smartweed. 3) Develop landscapes that allow caterpillars to complete their life cycle. Leave the leaves and plant a Layered landscape. We all can can help create a healthy environment. #cwnativeplantfarm #cwnativeplants #nativeplants #homegrownnationalparks #wnynativeplantcollaborative See more

The latest Tallamy webinar. Thank you Rochester garden club. In this video Dr Tallamy is discussing specialized relationships which I have also found fascinating these last couple of years. Enjoy https://vimeo.com/472888684/91456bd7e6

New Jersey Tea is a small bush that packs a big payload for pollinators. It grows no taller than 3’ high but must be planted in well drained sandy loam. It was used for tea in colonial times. Very garden worthy. #cwnativeplantfarm #cwnativeplants #nativeplants #wnynativeplants #wnynativeplantcollaborative #pollinatorfriendly

Rewilding your habitat. Steps 5 and 6. https://us9.campaign-archive.com/

I was recently along the Delaware coast and observed the American Avocets in the shallow water. Magical. https://www.birdnote.org/listen/shows/avocets-bolivar-flats

There is a significant connection between the native plant species in your yard and the number of birds you attract. I feed the birds to see many in the winter however birds need the caterpillars and insects that overwinter in the leaves/plant material I leave on the ground. #cwnativeplants #cwnativeplantfarm #leavetheleaves

Alaska is tops on my travel list. I look forward to the beauty. https://www.birdnote.org//anniversary-arctic-national-wild

Birds need berries year round. Robins in the spring eat crabapples in the spring when they return to their breeding grounds. Cedar waxwings love serviceberries, juniper berries and elderberries. It is important to add berry producing bushes and trees to support birds. https://www.birdnote.org/listen/shows/birds-and-berries

If you have ever been to the beach you have observed sandpipers along the waters edge. https://www.birdnote.org/listen/shows/chorus-line-sky

The farm is past peak but still showing strong colors. #cwnativeplantfarm

Steps 3 & 4 of rewinding your habitat. https://us9.campaign-archive.com/

I used to spend my summers in Maine and taking the boat to see the puffins was by far my favorite part. https://www.birdnote.org//shows/all-those-fish-puffins-beak

Looking forward to next year. #cwnativeplantfarm #cwnativeplants

We are past peak foliage season but still beautiful. The foliage came late and turned slowly. #cwnativeplantfarm #cwnativeplants #nativeplants

Birds of Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge. Late fall is a special time to be at the refuge. The wind through the leaves is the backdrop for the foliage and birds. Worth a trip if you have not been there. The eagle was fishing in Ringneck Marsh on Friday in the 80 degree weather and the sun was filtered through the leaves along Onondaga trail. Chickadees were calling in the trees and snakes were hunting in the leaves. The recent heavy rains have been good for the refuge. While the weather is colder it is still worth the drive. https://m.youtube.com/watch

Spicebush berries are eaten by birds in the fall and winter. What isn’t eaten will grow to be bushes next spring. #spicebush #spicebushswallowtail #cwnativeplantfarm #cwnativeplants