Leo Creek Preserve

01/21/2024

11/17/2023

Yesterday the US Dept. of Agriculture (USDA) released the first updated version of its Plant Hardiness Zone Map since 2012. In the new map, about half of the country shifted to the next warmer half-zone (e.g., Zone 4a to Zone 4b) compared to the 2012 map. The half-zone shifts reflect warming somewhere in the range of 0-5 degrees F. (Then again, some locations warmed the same amount without moving up another half-zone.) The map is more accurate and detailed than prior versions because, in part, it includes data from nearly twice as many weather stations as those used for the 2012 map—more than 13,000 in all. The map's creators stress that all these variables make it hard to say that the temperature updates necessarily reflect global climate change, which is based on trends in overall average temperatures over long time periods.

Have you observed any differences in which plants thrive—or no longer thrive—in your hardiness zone? Tell it.

For more information and to download the new map, go to https://www.ars.usda.gov/news-events/news/research-news/2023/usda-unveils-updated-plant-hardiness-zone-map/

Map: 2023 Northeast USDA Hardiness Zone map, courtesy USDA

10/09/2023

Sunday, October 8, several fish were finding their way up the creek. I just learned that all salmon heading up stream to lay their eggs were actually born in Leo Creek! Salmon return to the same river or creek they were born in to give birth to the next generation.

09/30/2023

Maria Johnson, you are so missed.

Yesterday a dear friend of Maria’s gave this bird bath to Leo Creek in her honor.

09/28/2023

Here is where the action was today.

09/12/2023

Yesterday I worked all morning in the light rain. It may have been my favorite work day of this year. You’d think I always feel grounded here - and I do - but this morning was different in a wonder filled way.

09/05/2023

Leo Creek Preserve had an opportunity to purchase several flats of landscape plugs of a variety of favorite plants. Favorites for several reasons - the volume and diversity of insects they attract, for their extended blooming season, for how easy to grow and great they look, and for their compatibility with pretty much everything else in the garden. Two are natives. Pyncanthemum muticum ( #3 and Piet Oudolf favorite) and Agastache’Black Adder’ ( #1, also an Oudolf pick) and Calamintha nepeta ssp nepeta ( #2) which is not native but has been blooming for weeks, is currently covered with feeding insects and is on Roy Diblik’s Appropriate Plant List. It’s a great time to plant. We have a few more than needed (approximately 16 of each) so do have some for sale. $6 potted into gallons - see pictures). Need to schedule time for pickup. Private message if interested. We’ve also got several other full gallon plants for sale - some native, some not.

07/28/2023

06/29/2023

Here comes the Monarda

06/02/2023

We have several 3 foot Red Maple and 3+ foot Black Cherry trees that need permanent homes. They can be picked up at the Preserve. I do need to know a specific date and time.