WillowRidge Community Greenbelt Restoration's Journal

Journal archives for March 2022

March 14, 2022

2022 Spring planting begins!

March 13, 2022

The first of two shipments of seedlings for the project arrived Wednesday, March 9th in advance of a significant snowfall which shutdown the town and planting for the week. But in true Kansas fashion, the sun came out on Sunday melting the snow with temperatures in the 60's. Perfect day for planting. I employed the assistance of a friend, Greg Williams, to man the dibble since I am still recovering from significant foot surgery in January. The new dibble worked wonderfully and we made quick work of the project.

The shipment was the one and only this year from Missouri Department of Conservation and included:
10 Fringe tree (Chionanthus virginicus)
10 Button bush (Cephalanthus occidentalis)
10 Vernal Witchhazel (Hamamelis vernalis)
10 Paw paw (Asimina triloba)
10 Rose mallow (Hibiscus lasiocarpos, I think)

The fringe trees were mainly planted on the west end in the shady wet space behind my house. Three were saved for the east end on the south side of the path where neighbor Len had fashioned a stone canal for runoff. The button bush lined that space as well along with 3 of the witchhazel. The Paw Paw were all planted together in the woods along the main path on the south side of the canal. The other witchhazel were planted in two clusters of 3 and 4 along the walking path. The rose mallow were distributed along the walking path. I had distributed seeds from native hibiscus obtained from the Pollinator Prairie last fall so hopefully we get some success and blooms!

The next major planting will occur next weekend from the Kansas Forestry Department shipment of 25 Spicebush and 25 serviceberry! Exciting indeed. I am looking forward to getting out after being cooped up for a long winter of convalescence.

Posted on March 14, 2022 01:24 PM by ann223 ann223 | 0 comments | Leave a comment

March 16, 2022

Gorgeous spring-like day

3/16/2022

It was a gorgeous spring-like day in Kansas with unseasonably warm 77 degree temperatures. I received the Kansas Forest Service shipment of 25 serviceberry and 25 spicebush seedlings yesterday and took advantage of the circumstances to get the serviceberry into the ground ahead of the pending storm forecast to arrive late on St. Patty's day. I was still hobbled by my bad foot so I was content to complete one batch of the seedlings. The spice bush should be fine to wait until the weekend for planting in the much softer and shadier midline of the patch. The serviceberry were planted along the perimeter in small clusters and around the east and south end flanking the small community playground. I want to make sure the neighbors on both sides of the greenbelt benefit from the spring colors!

Kansas Forest Service
25 Spicebush
25 Serviceberry

Posted on March 16, 2022 09:11 PM by ann223 ann223 | 0 comments | Leave a comment

March 21, 2022

Spring breaks!

3/20/2022

A gorgeous first day of spring in Kansas! Sunny skies and temperatures in the 70s. I am still hobbled by my foot recovery but I was able to get out into the greenbelt and complete the planting for the Kansas Forestry Service order of 25 spicebush (Lindera benzoin). They were planted mainly on the north but also some on the south side of the canal near the center of the path behind the plum and among the Ohio buckeye planted last spring (doing amazingly well I might add!). This is a nice moist and shaded area where the root system will hopefully stabilize the slopes and reduce erosion. I have found that plantings fare better when grouped together as opposed to dispersed throughout the canopy. The bees and butterfly will also have easier access to the breadth of pollen and nectar sources without having to travel great distances searching.

The spring growth is just now emerging and it is too early to tell if my efforts will be rewarded with fresh blossoms. This is the third season for the pandemic plantings - particularly plum and golden current and I have great hopes that they will begin to take off. I will be monitoring progress and continuing to add perennials as the season progresses to build this ecosystem for local wildlife.

Posted on March 21, 2022 03:10 PM by ann223 ann223 | 0 comments | Leave a comment