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2011 SPEAKER SERIES
Evelyn J. Hadden June 16th 7:00 pm Jolly Pumpkin Conference Center Old Mission Peninsula Doug Tallamy August 13th Loral Voran September 17th Bonnie Blodgett Mike Nowak October 15 |
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DON'T MISS
Award Winning Author Evelyn J. Hadden
Opens Our 2011 Speaker Series
Thursday, June 16
Jolly Pumpkin Conference Center,
Old Mission Peninsula
TICKETS NOW AVAILABLE
On June 16 award-winning author Evelyn J. Hadden will present new information on how to encourage natural processes like nutrient cycling, drought tolerance, runoff absorption, and insect population control in her "Eco-Friendly Gardens" program. With a northern Michigan focus, Evelyn will highlight native plants including shrubs and understory trees appropriate for our northern Michigan planting zones.The seminar will cover strategies for encouraging healthy soil, alleviating runoff, choosing companion plants and creating a wildlife habitat.
Hadden gives presentations nationwide about ecological gardening and lawn alternatives, and is a member of the national Lawn Reform Coalition, a group of nine gardening and environmental activists working to spread information on eco-friendly lawn care, regionally appropriate lawn species, and lawn alternatives. Hadden also works with the Permaculture Research Institute, Cold Climate, to find and share ways to build a restorative human culture. Her recent book, "Shrink Your Lawn: Design Ideas for Any Landscape," won a silver medal in the Independent Publisher's 2009 Living Now Book Awards for promoting a healthy and balanced lifestyle.
This will be her second appearance for The Botanic Garden Society of Northwest Michigan. Admission is $10 in advance and $15 at the door. Tickets can be purchased on line or by sending a check to the Botanical Garden Society, P. O. Box 1247, Traverse City, MI 49685. Call Terry Harding at 947-0568 or email for more information.
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 Hammers, Hoses & Hot Dogs Returns! Saturday, June 4th 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Ace Hardware, 934 W. Front Street VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!! sign up through email  Last year was a smashing success and a whole lot of fun. Here's your chance to talk to board members and volunteers about the progress of the Garden while enjoying a weenie roast lunch. This year, in hopes of pooling donations to purchase a generator gift cards will be available for purchase. Here's how it works: Buy the Botanical Garden a gift card or a tool at a 30% off discount price and receive 20% off your own purchase as well as a free lunch (hot dog, chips, beverage and home-made dessert). Or just buy a lunch for $3 and the proceeds go to the Garden. *Discount applies only to the regular price on in-stock merchandise. Not valid for on-line, phone or special orders, rentals, in-store services, gift cards, stickers, and American Waste Bags. Power tools are 10% off up to $500. |
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BGS taking part in Four Season Nursery's
Wildflower and Native Plant Event
May 19 - 21 Four Season Nursery 7557 Harrys Road The Botanical Garden Society will be represented with a booth at the informative event. A series of seminars and a NW Michigan Wildflower and Native Plant Sale will be held throughout the weekend. May 19th: 9:00 am - NW Michigan Wildflower and Native Plant Sale6:30 pm - Invasive Plants Guest speaker Vicky Smith of Wildlife and Wetland Solutions will discuss the invasive plants in our area. May 20th: 9:00 am - NW Michigan Wildflower and Native Plant SaleMay 21th: 9:00 am - NW Michigan Wildflower and Native Plant Sale1 1:00 am ($20 registration fee) Woodland PlantsJerry Konczal and Jim Gardzulas will be presenting this seminar. They will cover northern Michigan native and woodland plants, the role they play in a healthy garden and some tricks to growing them. 12:30 pm - Box Lunch Break 1:00 pm - Native Plants and Their Wildlife Connection Brian Zimmerman and Tom Ford will be discussing many birds, butterflies, moths and native pollinators that are being lost due to habitat destruction. Also, how native plants can play a roll in feeding wildlife while providing beauty. For reservations call 932.7400 For updates go to fourseasonnursery.biz VOLUNTEERS NEEDED ON SATURDAY JUNE 21ST
FOR ONE HOUR SHIFTS TO MAN BOOTH,
contact Patty Fabian to help
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Invasive Species Awareness: #1 Autumn Olive
 The Grand Traverse Conservation District has identified the 20 top invasive plants in this region and is working hard to get the word out to gardeners and other home owners. We'd like to help by featuring one of these plants in each of our e-letters.Let's start with the #1 "plant thug" - autumn olive. Native to Asia, the autumn olive was used to re-vegetate disturbed habitats and for landscaping, valued for its white blossoms and berries.Unfortunately, this shrub's prolific fruiting and rapid growth allows it to quickly spread, vigorously competing with native species. Its nitrogen fixing capacity allows it to change the nitrogen  cycle of the soil, further impacting native plant environments. As autumn olive spreads across an area and reaches mature height it creates a heavy shade that soon eliminates native plants relying on bright sunlight as well.The most ecologically friendly way to remove this plant is by hand pulling, or cutting down the shrub and digging out all roots. Simply mowing or cutting results in vigorous re-sprouting and even repeated cutting is usually ineffective.Herbicides such as Round-up are effective, but should be used with great care. Brushing Round-up on freshly cut stumps is safer than spraying this chemical, as it avoids drift damage to plants and animals (including you!). There are wonderful alternatives to autumn olive in the landscape, including dogwoods, chokeberry, winterberry, viburnum and serviceberry.
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Brainstorming, Kid-Loving Volunteers Needed
Nature North, a fun filled day of family fun held at the Boardman River Nature Center is coming up on June 25th. The Society will be taking part in the activities and we need creative volunteers to help us come up with a kid-friendly activity to present as well as volunteers to help out at the event. Please contact Terry Harding with your ideas and to find out how you can participate in this well received family event. |
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March 15 - September 30
The Better Homes and Gardens Subscription Program is Back
 The Botanical Garden Society of Northwest Michigan (BGSNM) is an institutional member of the American Public Gardens Association (APGA). This Spring APGA is partnering with Better Homes and Gardens magazine in a special membership promotion for all its institutional public garden members with the goals of "increasing memberships in public gardens, educating the public about the joy and satisfaction of gardening, and making the world a greener place, one garden at a time."
This special promotion is offered to each new or renewing member of the Botanical Garden Society during the period of March 15 - September 30, 2011. As a new or renewing member to BGSNM you will receive from us in your membership packet a subscription card that you can fill out and return to Better Homes and Gardens. The subscription card includes postage. If you are a current subscriber to Better Homes and Gardens one year will be added to the length of your current subscription.
This special membership promotion affords you the opportunity to join us in "growing" the botanic garden at Historic Barns Park and also to receive a monthly magazine filled with informative, inspiring articles to make your personal garden a "satisfying, greener place!"
Become a Member Today! |
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The Charlevoix Area Garden Club
 The Charlevoix Area Garden Club hosted BGSNM chair Karen Schmidt on February 8, 2011, for an update on the progress of the botanic garden, as well as a program on growing roses in the North. This garden club is an endorser of the Botanical Garden Society and the Recreational Authority's capital campaign and supports the groups' efforts to build a 25-acre garden and restore the historic Cathedral Barn at the Commons, on the grounds of the old Traverse City State Hospital. BGSNM appreciates the enthusiasm and encouragement of this group and looks forward to sharing future progress with them.
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