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Kalamazoo Garden Council

Kalamazoo Garden Council

Enhancing Our Environment

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Michigan Gardening

What are Keystone Native Plants and Why are They so Important?

April 6, 2022 by Kathy Kienle

14% of native plants (the keystones) support 90% of butterfly and moth lepidoptera species.

Read moreWhat are Keystone Native Plants and Why are They so Important?

Asian Jumping Worms

August 21, 2020 by Kathy Kienle

Jan Keys, our Horticulture Chairman, warned us to be aware of Asian Jumping Worms that could be in our gardens. They are lighter in color than familiar earthworms, have a band that goes around their body and they are very, almost hyperactive compared to regular earthworms. Unfortunately, they are incredibly invasive and destructive. They will …

Read moreAsian Jumping Worms

Plants Bees Like Best

April 22, 2020 by Kathy Kienle

A new resource for finding out what to plant to attract pollinators. What Plants Bees Like Best

Read morePlants Bees Like Best
Kalamazoo Garden Council

Spring Blooming Shrubs

March 18, 2020 by Kathy Kienle

Excerpt from GardenGate.com by Garden Gate Staff

Read moreSpring Blooming Shrubs

Floral Design Tips Learned at the 2019 MGC Convention

June 17, 2019 by Kathy Kienle

by Jeanette Meyer

Read moreFloral Design Tips Learned at the 2019 MGC Convention

Invasive Garlic Mustard

June 17, 2019 by Kathy Kienle

Garlic mustard is an exotic invasive plant from Europe...

Read moreInvasive Garlic Mustard
licensed by Kathy Kienle from Swift Publisher LICENSE SP39043V5-D2BENW3-7A91JB6-YX9JX9S-MFSYD

Top Five Environmental Concerns for 2019

May 23, 2019 by Kathy Kienle

The top 5 environmental concerns for 2019 are: Biodiversity Water Deforestation Pollution Climate Change Biodiversity is the complex system of the environment having an impact directly and indirectly on every other thing. In the March report I reported on the stone fly, a seemingly insignificant insect. I reported on that to demonstrate how a small …

Read moreTop Five Environmental Concerns for 2019
licensed by Kathy Kienle from Swift Publisher LICENSE SP39043V5-D2BENW3-7A91JB6-YX9JX9S-MFSYD

Having a Healthy Lawn While Being Environmentally Sound

April 14, 2019 by Kathy Kienle

April Environmental Report written by Denise Clegg My husband has often said he didn’t go to college to be a grass farmer.  However, much of his leisure time is spent taking care of the lawn.  The perfect lawn is not a priority in retirement.  So, I’m hoping that I can impart some wisdom from the …

Read moreHaving a Healthy Lawn While Being Environmentally Sound
Image of stacked stone

Consequences of Seemingly Harmless Activity

March 11, 2019 by Kathy Kienle

Are you planning a vacation this year? Going to do some hiking?

Read moreConsequences of Seemingly Harmless Activity
Photography by member Pat Pawlak. Image used with her permission.

We’re Losing Monarch Butterflies Fast- Here’s Why

January 18, 2019 by Kathy Kienle

It’s not too late to save them, but it’s a question of whether we make the effort, scientists say. 6 MINUTE READBY CARRIE ARNOLD PUBLISHED DECEMBER 21, 2018

Read moreWe’re Losing Monarch Butterflies Fast- Here’s Why

The Nature Conservancy’s Ross Coastal Plain Marsh

November 1, 2018 by Kathy Kienle

GET OUT THERE AND ENJOY OUR ENVIRONMENT “Just north of South Haven, MI, you will find one of the state’s unique natural treasures. The Nature Conservancy’s Ross Coastal Plain Marsh is 1,449 acres of beauty and is home to a stunning variety of habitats, plants, and wildlife. The diversity of life found at Ross can …

Read moreThe Nature Conservancy’s Ross Coastal Plain Marsh

Spiderwort Friend or Foe?

September 26, 2018 by Kathy Kienle

Tradescantia The Spiderwort, Tradescantia virginiana, a spring blooming plant is considered to be an easy to care for and grow wildflower plant.  Its other common name is Widow’s Tears.  A herbaceous perennial in the family Commelinaceae, is native to the New World from Southern Canada to Northern Argentina, including the West Indies.  Its unusual name …

Read moreSpiderwort Friend or Foe?

Enbridge Settlement Funding Research on Control of Aquatic Invasive Species

September 10, 2018 by Kathy Kienle

A project begun this year in the Fort Custer Recreation Area (FCRA) is a three year research project into control of aquatic invasive species (AIS). It is a multi-pronged approach to control AIS in the FCRA, developed and implemented by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. The Kalamazoo River Watershed Council is working with public …

Read moreEnbridge Settlement Funding Research on Control of Aquatic Invasive Species
Photography by member Kathy Kienle. Image used with her permission.

Great Black Wasp: Beneficial Insect

August 13, 2018 by Kathy Kienle

Great Black Wasp (Sphex pensylvanicus) The iridescent Great Black Wasp is a beneficial insect in spite of its scary appearance being 1-1.5” long. They are nectar and pollen eaters. They gather prey (Katydids, Grasshoppers and Crickets)  to feed their immature offspring located in underground nests. Since Great Black Wasps do not have a colony to defend they …

Read moreGreat Black Wasp: Beneficial Insect
Photography by member Mary Verleger. Image used with her permission.

Those Pesky Deer

April 14, 2018 by KGC Admin

For years I have had a huge problem with deer in my yard.  As you are aware, they eat whatever they darn please.  Two years ago at Wedel’s Spring Expo there was a booth with two guys from Messina Wildlife Management.  I spent quite a bit of time talking with them before I bought their …

Read moreThose Pesky Deer

Invasive Plants – Japanese Knotweed

August 8, 2017 by KGC Admin

Japanese Knotweed Fallopia japonica,  an invasive species is prevalent in Kalamazoo County.  It spreads easily and seems to be incredibly indestructable.  The City of Kalamazoo hired Hannah Hudson last summer as the tall grass and weeds inspector. She has a background in natural resources, but had never heard of Japanese knotweed. She quickly learned its …

Read moreInvasive Plants – Japanese Knotweed

Michigan Native Plants – Milkweed

March 29, 2021 by Kathy Kienle

Milkweed The Asclepias syriaca (common milkweed) one variety of milkweed common to Michigan. For more information on this and other Milkweed plants, please go to Milk Weed Sources in Michigan as compiled by Murray Cooper, KGC Horticulture Chair.

Read moreMichigan Native Plants – Milkweed

Invasive Plant – Swallow-wort

May 4, 2017 by KGC Admin

Black and Pale Swallow-worts Cynanchum louiseae ( Vincetoxicum nigrum) and Cynanchum rossicum ( Vincetoxicum rossicum) Plant Threatens Michigan Monarchs Swallow-wort can be confused with Milkweed by Monarch butterflies because their seed pods are similar.  This Michigan decorative garden plant, brought to the United States during the 19th century, has affected how Monarchs develop.  For more …

Read moreInvasive Plant – Swallow-wort

Pollinators – Mason Bee

October 24, 2016 by KGC Admin

Mason Bee The tiny mason bee is environmentally healthy, simple and fun.  Mason bees are extraordinary pollinators.  These bees are very efficient, 200-300 females can pollinate an entire acre.  They are native to most of North America.  There are approximately 150 types of mason bees. According to Judy Beaudette writing on the website, ecolandscaping.org, “They are tunnel-nesting, …

Read morePollinators – Mason Bee

Beneficial Insects – Braconid Wasp

September 16, 2016 by KGC Admin

Braconid Wasp Tomato hornworm covered with white cocoons of Braconid Wasp Photo Taken by Amy Nelson at Crispe House, Plainwell, MI. While gardening at Crispe House this week we came across a Tomato Hornworm in the vegetable garden near the back of the house next to the drive way. I found the Tomato Hornworm pictured to …

Read moreBeneficial Insects – Braconid Wasp

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