Notices
What are Keystone Native Plants and Why are They so Important?
14% of native plants (the keystones) support 90% of butterfly and moth lepidoptera species.
Eco-friendly Tableware
The Council Shop is now stocked with eco-friendly tableware for purchase.
COVID 19 Update
KGC Members, please follow all MDHHS COVID-19 Guidelines that are pertinent to you as you meet this summer. For more information, please visit www.michigan.gov/coronavirus.
About the Hazel Wirick Scholarship
An annual scholarship is underwritten by Kalamazoo Garden Council, Inc., in memory of founder and past president, Hazel Wirick, and awarded by Michigan Garden Clubs, Inc., to Western Michigan University to support a student selected by the university in the field of botany, biology, environmental studies or other related subjects. Michigan Garden Clubs awards scholarships …
Thank you from Hazel Wirick Scholarship Recipient
A thank you from Alex Kolstoe, recipient of the Hazel Wirick Scholarship.
Asian Jumping Worms
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 …
Honey’s Babies: Because Everything Good Has a Beginning
Petal Pusher’s member Linda Ricca chronicles the nest life of two baby hummingbirds in this charming slideshow and the graphic talents of fellow garden club member Andy Stork enhance the enjoyment!
Spring Blooming Shrubs
Excerpt from GardenGate.com by Garden Gate Staff
Tri-Refresher, June 5, Lansing
I would like to encourage all club members to consider attending this Tri-Refresher associated with the MGC state meeting in June. The price is right and the opportunity for education fantastic. Jeanette Meyer, President KGC
Three Surprising Solutions to Climate Change
August Environment Report by Denise Clegg
What can we do to preserve pollinators?
According to the website http://metroparent.com there are some rather easy actions that we can take to preserve pollinators in our gardens. Stop buying plants pretreated with neonicotinoids. Treated pants are primarily sold at big box stores. These insecticides are sprayed onto seeds and are effective for up to 10 weeks. They were seen as less …
Top Five Environmental Concerns for 2019
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 …
Having a Healthy Lawn While Being Environmentally Sound
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 …
Michigan Master Naturalist Program
This program is open to anyone who has an interest in the great out of doors!
Consequences of Seemingly Harmless Activity
Are you planning a vacation this year? Going to do some hiking?
We’re Losing Monarch Butterflies Fast- Here’s Why
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
Please Welcome our New Members
Evey Prentice joined Western Hills in October 2018 Kathy Larson joined Chula Vista in November 2018 Michelle Farris joined Chula Vista in November 2018 Rose Neumann joined Chula Vista in November 2018 Nancy Hannah joined Garden Pals in December 2018 Margaret McAllister joined Grow & Show in Jan 2019
Council Shop- Your One Stop for All Your Fresh Arrangement Needs!
The Council House Shop has many supplies available at great savings for your fresh arrangement creations. We carry both green and black oasis, various gauges of floral wire, floral tapes and picks as well as bases to hold half, full or two blocks of oasis! Floral Fresh water additive in packets and single stem vials …
Enbridge Settlement Funding Research on Control of Aquatic Invasive Species
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 …
Kalamazoo Garden Council Shop
Learn Share Grow BUY Do you know about our Council Shop? It’s located on the first floor of the Council House and stocks floral arranging supplies and gardening items for our members. Supplies are bought wholesale, and the savings are passed on to you while a small portion of the sale directly benefits the Council’s …
PFAS Contamination in Kalamazoo County
Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a family of over 3,000 man made chemicals that began being produced in the mid 1900s. PFAS are extremely stable chemical compounds. They have many industrial applications such as firefighting foam, waterproofing, and insecticides. As you can see their applications would possibly lead to widespread ground applications and potential …
Legislation
Senate Bill 850 proposing the Black Swallowtail Butterfly (Papilio Polyxenes) as the official State of Michigan butterfly was introduced in the Michigan Senate on March 8, 2016 by Senators: Hertel, Young, Bieda, Warren, Schmidt and Johnson. To support this effort please write to your State Senator in support of SB 850. The Kalamazoo Garden Council along with …
Carol’s Yard
The sunflowers came from birdseed and were a total surprise. The morning glory would have taken over the rose bed so we had it climb a shepherd’s hook. I really like the effect. Carol Beckius