Season's Starting!

The air thrills with the sounds of returning birds.  Birders are in nirvana as they witness the return of many favourite, familiar and rare birds.  Long Point is the place to be as birds gather in one of the main hubs of the flyways of North America.  Many birds stopover on the farm, as we are just a mere few kilometres from Long Point, before they spread their calls and songs across the rest of the province.  Tanagers, Orioles, Warblers and Swans are among the many thousands of birds who take respite in the Long Point area during migration.  The cacophony of the voices and activity of birds bring to mind the following lines from Mary Oliver’s poem “Wild Geese.”

Meanwhile the wild geese, high in the clean blue air,

are heading home again.

Whoever you are, no matter how lonely,

the world offers itself to your imagination,

calls to you like the wild geese, harsh and exciting 

over and over announcing your place

in the family of things. (Oliver, M. Atlantic Monthly Press

© Mary Oliver)

Come to our retail opening on April 19^th to experience this birder’s paradise first hand.  We carry a wide variety of plants that attract such rare diverse birds.  You can view them online, in our detailed catalogue or come to the nursery.  This is our third year open in retail. There are many new and innovative developments at the nursery.  For the opening and for Doors Open Norfolk we will be giving out free seed packets and planting seeds with the kids.

In this season of rebirth and renewal come to walk our interpretative trail.  Many of the spring ephemerals reach their tender faces towards the light.  Saunter slowly through the trail to the tinkling rhythms of new flowing waters.  Let the cool, moist earth scents enliven your spirits as you tour around the farm.  Contemplating and reconnecting with nature are two of the features of our contemplative trail.  As you follow the simple guiding meditative suggestions you will feel as though you are on retreat from the busy ness of day to day living. 

To follow our example in relation to restoration projects you can tour the ecological restoration trail.  The informative guideposts on this trail offer practical information about how to restore a variety of habitats.  You will move from high, dry prairie hills through rich and dense forests to wet meadow and stream restoration projects.  Many of the plants you view are available in the nursery as seeds, and potted plants, shrubs and trees. 

Throughout the growing season we have quite a few talks and workshops scheduled.  Check our calendar below for dates and times.  We welcome the knowledge and expertise of people interested in presenting a workshop or talk.  Contact us by phone or email if this is something that piques your interest. 

Thanks to all who came to our booth at Canada Blooms. It is great to connect with so many like minded people who are advocates for a healthy and prospering environment.  We met so many people who go beyond just talking about change, who really affect positive change with their gardening choices.

*** SALE *** Hurry before they leaf out!

Prairie Field Mix -       $20.00/kg (240kg - mixed species)

Silver Maple -             $2.00 (100   80-180cm bareroot) 

Red and White Oak -  $0.70 (2000+ 10-60cm bareroot) 

Dos and Don'ts

Do use common plants as they help to establish the site, making it favourable for other native plants to move in.

Don’t dig plants from the wild. Transplanting success is usually low and the introduction of undesirable species may occur from the unknown seed bank. Digging opens up natural areas for the invasion of other exotics (i.e. garlic mustard and purple loosestrife), and destroys diminishing natural habitats. Genetic diversity in dug material is low because of the clonal nature of some plants.

Events 2007

We have started drop in classes for Yoga (Tuesdays 5pm) and Meditation (Wednesdays 7pm) in the renovated bunkhouse at the farm. 

Please Note:

We have added a garden showcase to the website and are looking for photos of the many beautiful gardens our plants have gone into. Testimonials would also be great to add. Please email us at info@ecologyart.com and indicate if you would like your name and city added also. Thank you! 

We invite people to contribute articles relevant to conservation and restoration. We are getting a sizable list of people interested in native plants and healing the planet!

Spring is in the air…. it has been a long winter and thank goodness we are enjoying some warmth and sunshine at last.

Soon we will see the cheerful Marsh Marigold blooms shining through along roadsides and near streams, followed by mysterious Jack in the Pulpit looking up from under the canopy as the trees’ leaves unfold.

Wild Columbine is another one of my spring time favourites with beautiful pink white and yellow streaked petals peeking out of the woods. 

Violets are yet another wildflower I like to go looking for in the spring, they are sweetly scented and can be candied or added to salads.

Happy Spring Planting!

GIFT CERTIFICATES!

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