06/23/2025
We had an amazing turnout on Saturday morning for Creating an Earth Friendly Yard. Carolyn and Sylvia shared so much valuable information and experience, I can't begin to capture it in a post! Instead I will just share some information on a few of the topics mentioned during this Green the Ground event.
Upcoming Events
Biodiversity Walk and Talk https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1YrmmhavYa/
Saturday, June 28th 4pm, Milt Frye Nature Area
Meet at the parking lot behind Marion Cross Elementary School in Norwich
Lynnwood Andrews will lead a walk in the woods and fields, focusing on the Norwich Conservation Commission’s efforts to increase biodiversity in the nature area. Learn how you can use the same materials and methods on your own property. Sponsored by the Norwich Conservation Commission.
Topics will include: Growing native plants, Invasive removal, Deer, Wildlife habitat development, Forest regeneration
Managing Old Fields for Wildlife!!!
https://www.facebook.com/share/1JbiJHBWER/
Distant Hill Gardens in Walpole NH, July 17 · 9:30am - 12pm,
Options for Managing Old Fields for Wildlife - Facebook Link Options-for-managing-old-fields-for-wildlife - Eventbrite Link
Info on Upper Valley Seed Savers, from Sylvia
Mission
The mission of the Upper Valley Seed Savers is to save seed of open-pollinated vegetable and herb varieties that have regional history, exceptional flavor, good storage capabilities, particular beauty, or are in danger of becoming unavailable commercially, and that contribute to a locally-grown, year-round food supply.
Goals/Vision
1. To develop and share our knowledge of seed saving
2. To identify and preserve open-pollinated varieties that thrive in our area
3. To build a collection of locally grown seeds that extend the season and help feed us year-round
4. To create a community-based seed saving network that will enhance our own community and serve as a model for other communities
For more information, including about how to join meetings:
http://uppervalleyseedsavers.pbworks.com/
Where to Source Native Plants Free of Jumping Worms and Neonics!
The Community Rewilding Group (see below!)
The Hanover Garden Club has a great list of resources - I recommend checking it out! https://www.hanovergardenclubnh.org/plant-natives
Some Info on Jumping Worms
I have them in some of my beds, if not all, and I hope to not spread them. We had some success last spring solarizing the soil from a raised planter - it killed most but not all of the cocoons and young jumping worms. We hand controlled the few survivors. That seems to have curtailed that population.
Here is the latest blog post from NH DES about them https://t.co/slJC1rn0PO
and a link to the Lebanon Conservation Commission post about them:
https://lebanonnh.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=4060
and an interview with Farmer Fred https://gardenbasics.substack.com/p/jumping-worms-an-update-again
I was asked to provide the Sustainable Lebanon mailing address for donations. Here it is:
Sustainable Lebanon
14 Mack Ave
West Lebanon
NH 03784
Doug Tallamy and the Homegrown National Park Project
Carolyn mentioned Tallamy and the importance of keystone species and increasing biodiversity in our own spaces. Here is a link to some of the Tallamy talks!
https://homegrownnationalpark.org/recorded-talks/
Vegetated Swales
Here are a few resources about managing stormwater on site similar to what we saw at Carolyn’s, but none of these capture the unique design we saw on Saturday!
https://www.mass.gov/doc/stormwater-solutions-for-homeowners-fact-sheet-vegetated-swales/download
https://www.soaknh.des.nh.gov/sites/g/files/ehbemt741/files/documents/vegetated-swale.pdf
https://dec.vermont.gov/sites/dec/files/wsm/stormwater/docs/Resources/sw_LID%20Guide.pdf
The Community Rewilding Group’s native plant sale is now open at the Post Mills Airport! - from Alicia Houk https://www.awildgarden.com/
the below info is shared from The Community Rewilding Group:
Parking is behind the firetruck, the plant sale is in front of the airport museum.
All plants are just 50¢ each, and your purchase supports The Community Rewilding Group's efforts to continue growing affordable plants for the community —so everyone can restore habitat and welcome back the wild.
The sale is self-serve and open daily from 9 AM to 5 PM through the end of June.
Payment is on the honor system —just drop your cash into the jar on the table. There’s also a sign-up sheet at the table if you’d like to join the growing Community Rewilding Group or stay in the loop about future events and efforts.
We’ve got some special native plants, including rabbit to***co, hairy beardtongue, frost aster, biennial gaura, grass-leaved goldenrod, butterflyweed, and many more!
IMPORTANT!: Please bring a tray and labels so you can move plants from the shared trays into your own tray (and then remember what they are!).
And please feel free to spread the word—there are lots of plants and we’d love to see these plants find good homes.
Thanks for helping rewild our community!
