New Season, Memories and Earth Day

A near perfect day with mild temperatures and sunshine accompanied the opening day of the 2016 gardening season at the Prospect Gardens. This is the seventh year of tending the gardens and the first time a work session fell on Earth Day. Taking care of the microscopic slice of earth underlying the Gardens on Earth Day was a special treat.

I recall the first Earth Day forty-six years ago on April 22, 1970. Our own Senator Gaylord Nelson  is credited as the founding father . On that April day, I was a young social studies teacher in West Bend, Wisconsin team teaching with a gifted teacher(Bill). I had a head full of hair (unlike now), and wore shirts and ties when teaching. We taught "American Studies", a Sophomore course organized according to major themes and never followed a text book. We had a social studies resource room filled with paperbacks and other educational materials. The two newly built side-by-side high schools were organized around flexible modular scheduling; a radical reform that broke up the traditional seven one hour class schedule. Modular scheduling broke up the day into different time segments. For example, we could meet all sophomores in a large lecture hall, if we wanted to, followed by discussion groups of 10 to 15 students. The executive principal for both high schools was my former high school principal in Pulaski, Wisconsin.

Eventually, my career shifted to teaching special education, teacher training and then program evaluation after earning an Educational Doctorate from Indiana University in 1983. So much for a slice of the past. Now on this Earth Day, I am retired from the University of Wisconsin and known as the Crew Chief of Prospect Gardens. My wife, Ann, sometimes refers to me as the "boss" while I occasionally call her the "Union President", making sure that the crew has breaks and we stop at the designated time.  I tend to forget about time when I am working in the gardens.

On this 2016 Earth Day, Susan, Program Coordinator from The Friends of Lake Wingra and four University of Wisconsin Badger Volunteers joined seven volunteers from three neighborhoods (Dudgeon-Monroe, Regent and Hilldale).  The twelve of us weeded and began mulching.  Much still remains to be done.

Here's a few pictures of some of volunteers who made this a memorable Earth Day. Ken, Ann and me are not on any of the pictures. Maybe next time. Thank you so much. A special thank you for Susan from The Friends of Lake Wingra and the four Badger Volunteers that she recruited. The Gardens are located in the Lake Wingra watershed. Lake Wingra is a fifteen minute walk from the Gardens. Head south on Prospect, cross busy Monroe Street, keeping going and you cannot miss Lake Wingra.

 Here's Susan pausing for a short break. She diligently worked from 1 to about 4 PM.  So grateful she and the UW Badger Volunteers joined the crew.

Susan bought this very nice sign.  On my list of things to do includes a new sign announcing that "gardeners are working ahead" on the path. We always have to look out for the bikers and hopefully, they for us.

The UW Badger Volunteers: Caid, Kara, Claire and Michelle. Always a pleasure having students join the crew.

 Look at those smiles. Pulling weeds is fun and especially on a mild sunny Spring day. Our future is in good hands.

 Here's Bob, one of the regulars. He's back at his favorite task, mulching. This year we are using sheared hardwood bark rather than decayed leaves once sold by Olbrich Gardens. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has recommended that leaves not be spread due to the possibility of spreading invasive jumping worms.  

 Here's Joan and Martha from the Regent Neighborhood, weeding the raspberry patch. If I recall right, they are enrolled in the Master Gardner, a University of Wisconsin Extension program.  

 Loren is on a well deserved break.  Loren also volunteers at Olbrich Gardens.  I am so glad he joined us.  We met on the last working session for 2015 and now he is part of the Prospect Crew. Thanks, Loren.

The next regular scheduled work session is May 21st although this may be subject to change. Some of us will continue mulching at our own pace before this date..... hoping to use up the five yards I had delivered. Come join us, if you are in the Madison area.

      

Spring!!!

First day of Spring arrived with brilliant sun for periods of the day along with cooling winds. March can be such a transitional month with unpredictable weather.  Keep your fingers crossed that Winter does not return. There is a myth that bad weather accompanies the Wisconsin state basketball tournament. Well, the tournament is over and without inclement weather.  So Old Man Winter you had your chance. Stay away.

Early this afternoon, I meandered down through the Prospect Gardens on my daily walk with that Fitbit, a Christmas gift, counting the steps. As expected, because of the recent mild weather, plants are poking out of the ground.  Here are a few that have ventured out. 

The indestructible daily lilies are leading the way toward more Spring.  These are commonly referred to as "ditch lilies" and are found in many places along the Southwest Commuter Path.  Their yellow-orange blooms gently sway in the wind.  We removed many from the Garden. These remain because they hold the soil at the top of a steep slope.   

 These strawberry plants already have a good start. The patch has vastly expanded since 2012, when I transplanted about a dozen from our neighbor, Dianne. I am anticipating an early bumper crop.

 Another hardy plant, the common phlox. What more is there to say about this commoner except that its bloom is spectacular.

 Here's one of my favorite early Spring flowers, the majestic columbine. I can't recall the color of the blooms. I could look back in this blog for a picture, but I will move forward. Let's just enjoy the anticipation of rediscovering the color.  

 Another early Spring bloomer, the spider wort. Looks like a columbine (lower left) has decided to move nearby.


Soon it will be time to remove the orange snow fences. These guardians were hardly needed because of the mild winter. Yet just knowing they were there and on guard added to my peace of mind.

I look forward to the unfolding of Spring and witnessing other plants as they make their entrance.  Another season is here!

The first work session of the 2016 season is planned for April 22nd, from 1 to 4 pm.  If in the Madison area, come join us as we celebrate Earth Day and kick off another gardening season. We will not hold a work day on the 16th of April as we usually do... the 3rd Saturday in the month.

Fluffy Snow, Blizzards, Scenes & Orchids

Today's outside world was covered with fluffy snow creating a Wisconsin winter wonderland. This winter is  mild compared to others experienced in the past. The colossal snows that deluged New York City, Washington D.C. and other eastern areas reminded me of the blizzards of my childhood.

Our family farm, with its two story four square home, was at the end of a two mile dead end dirt road. When blizzards hit we were really affected and sometimes isolated for days. My mother kept a watch for snowstorms and especially when her morning radio show, the Farm Hour, predicted storms. One time she was less vigilant and as we traveled home from Pulaski, about six miles from home, a blizzard with white out conditions caught up with us as we attempted to head for home. I recall the darkness and the whirling snow. Most likely we were at church. My deeply religious mother would risk a snowstorm to hear the word of God as preached by one of our parish priests.  

We made it to the end of the dirt road. Nearby was the short driveway to the home of Katy and Mary Johnson, two unmarried sisters. We abandoned the car and made our way up the driveway, feeling the full force of the wind, and took shelter with the Johnsons for the night.

 The next morning in the early hours we walked home in time for morning chores.We were stranded for several day before the huge yellow snowplow came roaring into our yard.

No such blizzard with white out conditions today. For that matter it's been several years now since we lived through a fierce storm.  Instead, as these two pictures of the Gardens show, just soft fluffy snow to be enjoyed during a mid-afternoon walk.


Pictured on the right is the Forsythia. In December, during the unusual warm spell, buds appeared. Will the sunshine yellow flowers appear in early spring?  I wait to see what Mother Nature reveals.

To the left is a Black Elderberry. This hardy shrub will surely produce many berries that Janice, a neighbor, will pick to make jams, syrup and perhaps a  pie. I recommend the sweet syrup on pancakes.

Tomorrow evening the crew chiefs of the various gardens along the Southwest Path meet at Sandy's house to discuss our hopes and plans for the 2016 season. Sandy is the chair of the Dudgeon Monroe Association's Path Committee.

In the meantime, inside our home this orchid is blooming. Joanne, a neighbor and owner of "Mystery To Me", an independent bookstore, gave it to me. This is the third season the plant has bloomed, adding beauty and color to our lives. The book store is on nearby Monroe Street. Check it out by going to http://www.mysterytomebooks.com/welcome-mystery-me.

The figurines in the background were once the prize possessions of my dear mother-in-law, Ethel. I think of her when I see them. She lived to be almost 95 years old. Like this orchid, she graced our lives.  





       

Second Snow Fall and a Walk

It's been nearly 70 days since our last snowfall. Madison received from 4 to 7 inches depending on location.  I would guess our neighborhood had between 4 and 5 inches. I cleared the driveway and sidewalks in mid-morning with the Snow Commander snow blower. Tomorrow morning I will once again start-up the Commander.  A mixture of gas and oil powers the Commander. I am sorry to say the engine emits fumes, causing me to smell like a refinery after the job is done.  I wear a special outfit, which  includes a heavy hooded cloth coat purchased years ago from the old Burlington Coat Factory, once located on Odana. 

After I finished, I decided to visit the Gardens and go for a walk. I love walking in a winter snowstorm. I bought myself a Fitbit for Christmas. One of the cheaper ones that you clip to your clothes. Fitbit has assigned me the goal of 10,000 steps a day.  I have no idea how the number was calculated. Anyhow, the assigned goal was an additional incentive to head West on the path.

A combination of sleet, snow and freezing rain fell as I approached the
Gardens. As expected, the Gardens were blanketed with snow. Plows already removed some the snow from the path leaving about an inch of newly falling snow covering the path. Before walking West, I looked around and here are a few scenes from the Gardens on this winter day.

The cherry tree in the middle of the picture is in dormancy with it's roots now protected with snow.  The plants in the foreground are remnants of Purple Cones.  The orange snow fence waits for more snow while I am hoping it signals city plowers to stick snow to the right.  I am optimistic that the fence will serve its purpose, since this is the third year we put up snow fences.    

 Here is what remains of the once green wispy grasses that waved in the warm summer breezes. I imagine, like me, they are enjoying the peace and solitude of a winter day. Winter offers so many opportunities to turn inward or to curl up with a book.  My daughter, Emily, gave me Jim Shapiro's "The Year of Lear: Shakespeare in 1606" for Christmas.  I am enjoying this book that combines literary analysis and historical insights of what is often considered Shakespeare's most creative year. In late spring, I completed a great online course focusing on several of Shakespeare's plays, but not King Lear.

Here is a silhouette of Bee Balm against the mural. The mural features stencils of individuals using the path. Today I witnessed bikers with bikes having fat balloon tires made for the snow, walkers like myself walking alone, people walking their dogs, joggers, and of course, cross country skiers.  Despite the snow, sleet and rain,  it seemed like we were all out enjoying ourselves. For me, the elements added to the enjoyment.

Eventually, I made my way to Glenway Street and turned around to head home.  As I turned to head home, I felt the full effect of the strong East wind and the pallets of ice against my face. I readjusted the hood on my jacket, pulling it more over my head and tightened the two straps, creating a slit for viewing the snowy world as I continued my homeward trek.  

The storm outside has subsided as bedtime approaches.  I will turn off the Christmas tree lights and the electric candles in most of our house's windows before retiring. Maybe I will read a chapter about Shakespeare and his best year. 

Oh yes, the Fitbit informs me that I made my goal:  10,416 steps or 4.97 miles to be exact. Today, I also burned 2,297 calories and climbed the equivalent of 39 floors. Now what do I do with this information?
Eat another cookie?  

Bringing Home the Holiday Tree

This morning, while enjoying the unseasonably warm weather, Ann and I purchased a Frazier Fir.  Once again, we went  to the University of Wisconsin Stock Pavilion, where the Forestry Club sells trees. Proceeds support student career development for those enrolled in the Department of Forestry and Wild Life Ecology.

The Stock Pavilion is a grand old building finished in the fall of 1909 and during an era when barns were like cathedrals, built to tell others the spiritual value of agriculture and rural life. These agricultural cathedrals had style and grace in contrast to the utilitarianism of modern day farm buildings. Today's mega-farms, with over 3,000 milking cows, stress efficiency and profit and less the spirituality of agriculture.

I have special childhood memories of the Stock Pavilion. If you have been reading past entries, you know that I attended a one room rural schoolhouse, near Pulaski Wisconsin, for six years. Through the Wisconsin School of the Air, we received our music instruction from a Professor Gordon. Some of his programs were broadcasted from the Pavilion. Professor Gordon directed the audience made-up of students from throughout the state. I always imagined the Pavilion packed with students like myself.  

You drive into the Stock Pavilion, park your car and a cheerful future forester helps you pick out a tree. I always like to look at several before picking one that I think "speaks to me."  We chose one that is about 6 feet tall and full, of course. 

The picture to the right shows the available amble supply of trees. Along the wall to the left are more trees waiting to be unbundled.

While Ann and I picked out a wreath, the cheerful young man tied our selected tree to the roof of our Honda Civic. The young man thought we had a brand new car.. When I told him it was a 2012 model, he remarked that his car is so much older than ours and had some rust.

Ah yes, graduates school days. When I was completing a Master Degree in Political Science in 1968, I bought a 1962 Chev Blair, using funds from a National Defense Education loan. The price was $500, if I am recalling correctly .  I needed a car for transportation to my various part time jobs. One summer I had two jobs besides managing a student apartment building.  Those were definitely not the good old days.

On one trip with the Blair, I discovered why the car was such a deal.  The frame under the front end was welded and the weld gave way, making steering quite challenging. The car was repaired but eventually junked.

 Here I am pointing to the wreath that Ann picked out. The lucky one is not in the picture. It's a beauty that now hangs on our front door. The wreath joined our other front stoop decorations that include lights around the door and the small roof over the stoop, plus greenery in the short pillar-like planters. This weekend I will place the electric candles in the windows.  

  

Home with the tree. Most likely tomorrow, I will put the tree in a stand and place the tree in a corner of the sun porch, an extension of our living room . We like to have a bare tree for a few days; enjoying the beauty of a unadorned tree.

Once again we will haul down the ornaments from the attic storage area. Many now are approaching being 40 years old, bought when we lived in Portland, Oregon during the late 1970s.  Hanging lights is my specialty; while Ann and I hang the ornaments together.

All will be in place when our daughter Emily comes home on December 19th. She will be with us until the 26th. Before her arrival, I must buy some wood for a couple of fires in the fireplace. The wood box out in the garage is finally empty. I will fill it in anticipation of cozy fires and pleasant holidays. 

Sunny Day and Green in the Gardens

On this spectacular day of sunshine and with a temp approaching 50 degrees, I went on a long walk that included a stroll through the Prospect Gardens.  I went walking after buying our Holiday Tree, the subject of my last entry. These five pictures are a testimony to the mild weather while revealing how all the snow, the topic of my last blog entry, is gone. 

I noticed all the green in the Gardens and reacted with mixed feelings. I enjoyed the warm sun and the shadows cast by the winter sun, low in the sky.  On the other hand, the gardener in me noted the lack of a protective snow cover and how some plants were still growing. Dormancy just was not for them; at least not yet.





These lush and green strawberry plants may be fooled that spring time is already here. They will surely be surprised when winter returns, as it certainly will.

Likewise, these sedges are still tinged with green instead of being a dull brown.  They too have escaped the mild frosts, at least for the time being. 

Notice the green foliage, most likely weeds, in this picture of the raspberry patch.  Weather, like today, promotes growth of weeds. Maybe if this weather continues, I could do some weeding and that would certainly set a record for early gardening.

Notice the terracing up the hillside.  About two years ago, Dave, a neighbor, and I did the terracing with stone donated by another neighbor.  This prevents erosion while providing steps for easier access to the berries higher up the slope.

In the top portion of the picture is the orange snow fence put up a few weeks ago. The aim is to prevent the city plowers from pushing the snow into the Gardens and it worked last year.    



A few brown leaves still cling to the cherry tree. The tree is two years old and is part of a memorial section for Peg, one of the first gardeners. In the right lower corner of the picture are the green remains of Coreopsis. These sprung up from last season's seeds and late in the 2015 growing season.  I was surprised when they showed up.

Certainly, all of these scenes will change in the upcoming weeks as we move through December. I am indeed waiting for a white cover and a white Christmas.  I do love sunny days and yet... hey.. this is Wisconsin and snow is important in the cycle of life.

     

First Snowfall

Fall has made its inevitable turn into winter; at least for the time being. This morning we shoveled the heavy snow that accumulated during the night. I would say about 4 inches at the most. Definitely not six inches since at that point the snow removal service takes over. Ann already cleared the sidewalks by the time I bundled up and made my appearance.  I didn't use the snow blower because the snow contained a high level of water.  Plus I am always reluctant to use the Snow Commander, because my clothes smell like an oil refinery afterward. 

I ventured to the Prospect Gardens eager to see the effects of winter. Today UW plays Northwestern. Pictured to the right are loyal fans making their way through the Gardens and to Camp Randall, about two block east. A former colleague, Chad and his brother, two nephews and their Grandfather, are attending the game and parked their vehicle in our driveway. Chad is from Oshkosh and his brother and family are from Kalamazoo, Michigan.

They were all bundled up in warm clothes, well prepared for the cold of Camp Randall stadium. As the family made final preparation Chad and I caught up with the news regarding the UW Extension Center. I worked with Chad and other Center staff.

Here are five pictures revealing how the snow has transformed Gardens into a winter wonderland.

Seed pods of the Purple Cone flowers now have caps of white cotton. The brown stems stand out in sharp contrast to the white snow. 

 The reddish-brown stag horns of the Japanese Sumac crown to what struck me as an abstract Christmas tree.  Anybody recall the 1960's flocked Christmas tree craze?  As teenagers, my sister Angie and I were even swept-up in the frenzy. We attempted to "flock" a tree in the basement of our farm home using an old vacuum cleaner. We plugged the hose in the exhaust, as instructed in the kit, that somehow we convinced our reluctant mother to buy. The end result did not come close to what we imagined or to the picture of the flocked tree on the front of the kit.    

 Here is the forsythia with its own "flocking." Mother nature is much more skilled at flocking than my sister and me.

 Raspberry plants transformed into triangles and cotton balls.

 

This late blooming Black Eyed Susan is frozen into a sculpture of green, yellow and white. The effect almost looked like glass from above.

So winter, at least for the next few days, will be our companion. The forecast calls for slowly rising temperatures with a high of 51 on Thanksgiving.  The winter wonderland of Prospect Gardens will surely disappear.