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April 15, 2026 Herbicides kill plants - or (for pre-emerent herbicides) prevent plant germination. Overspray from herbicide application will kill desirable plants. Water runoff from areas where herbicides are used can impact the water in the entire watershed. Herbicides can indirectly impact pollinators by eliminating habitat, and they have been shown to cause health problems in humans - including an increased rist of cancer. Levels of glyphosate have been found in soil, water, and food. So, why not limit our use of these products? You can maintain an attractive garden without herbicides. Here's how: Manually Remove Weeds A soil knife (or Hori Hori knife) is a versatile hand tool that serves as an excellent weeder. For a gardener, pulling out an unwanted plant (aka weed) along with its whole root system is a very satisfying experience and this tool is made for that task. Get those plants out before they develop seed and you will limit their spread. Mulch Spread several inches of hardwood mulch on the exposed soil in your garden beds. This has the additional benefit of adding organic matter to your garden as the mulch decomposes throughout the season. Where weed pressure is extreme, you can lay brown cardboard around the plants and mulch on top of the cardboard. The cardboard can be left in place and will decompose. Plant Densely You can defy the recommended plant spacing - although eventually you may have to thin/divide your perennials. If you fill up your garden beds, the weeds won't have bare soil to take hold and the desirable plants will out-compete the weeds. Vinegar Solution Make your own version of weed killer by mixing a gallon of white distilled vinegar, a cup of salt, and a tablespoon of dish soap. Distribute it via a spray bottle. This works well for areas such as patio stones, driveways, or on gravel, but it is non-selective and will kill any plant it comes in contact with. It will rinse away with rain, so reapplication may be needed. Coexist A few weeds (aka unwanted plants) are not the end of the world! You can learn to live with them, and many are beneficial to pollinators!

March 11, 2026   At our March Membership Meeting we enjoyed a presentation by Tom Darnton, President of the Lake Charlevoix Association . ​Lake Charlevoix is the third largest lake in the state with a surface area of over 17,200 acres and 56 miles of shoreline. The maximum depth in the main basin is 122 feet and in the south arm, 58 feet. One of the primary goals of the Lake Charlevoix Association is to serve as an advocate for sensible and sustainable practices for lake use and development. In 2025 they completed the revitalization of the Shoreline Greenbelt Demonstrations Gardens at Sunset Park in Boyne City.  Through thoughtful replanting with native species, this refreshed space now enhances both the ecological resilience and visual charm of the shoreline—helping to filter runoff, prevent erosion, and protect the health of Lake Charlevoix’s watershed.  Plan of the Shoreline Greenbelt Demonstration Garden in Boyne City Plant List for the Demonstration Garden Whether or not you are a lake front property owner, runoff from your lawn and garden can make its way to our lakes. The long root systems of native vegetation work to absorb and filter runoff, as well as providing essential food and habitat for native insects and birds. Native plants have deep root systems Native plants do not require fertilizers and require fewer pesticides than lawns. Native plants require less water than lawns and help prevent erosion . The deep root systems of many native Midwestern plants increase the soil's capacity to store water. Native plants can significantly reduce water runoff and, consequently, flooding.  Native plants help reduce air pollution. Native plantscapes do not require mowing. Excessive carbon from the burning of fossil fuels contributes to global warming. Native plants sequester, or remove, carbon from the air.  Native plants provide shelter and food for wildlife. Native plants promote biodiversity and stewardship of our natural heritage. Native plants are beautiful and increase scenic values! A "Living Shoreline" reminds us that there are 100,000 species of plants and animals living in freshwater habitats like Lake Charlevoix. Living shorelines are designed to connect the land to the water in ways that support a healthy ecosystem, purify water, stabilize the shoreline, reduce erosion, buffer waves, and maintain a vibrant fish and wildlife habitat. For more about the Lake Charlevoix Association: www.lakecharlevoix.org Native plant lists for our area can be found at: https://www.canr.msu.edu/nativeplants/plant_facts/local_info/north_lower_peninsula

March 3, 2026 The Charlevoix Area Garden Club has been awarded a 2026 “Plant America” Grant from the National Garden Clubs, Inc. The funds will be used to expand infrastructure at the Club’s Community Vegetable Garden in order to increase production of fresh, organic produce to be donated to the Charlevoix Community Food Pantry. A committee reviewing grant applications evaluated 127 applications submitted from across the United States, and the club’s Community Vegetable Garden project was awarded $1960.00. The CAGC Community Vegetable Garden - summer 2025 A second grant - the 2026 Espoma Organic Plant America Grant, was awarded to the project. This grant allows the CAGC to receive up to $250 of organic soil and soil amendment products to use in the Community Vegetable Garden. The Charlevoix Area Garden Club (CAGC) created the Community Vegetable Garden in 2024 as a part of the “Plant America – Feed America” initiative and the Michigan Garden Clubs’ “Gardening with Purpose” initiative. It is one of the nine Civic Gardens that the club maintains in Charlevoix. The garden is located in the Charlevoix City Garden plots off of State Street near the Charlevoix airport. The vegetables grown in the CAGC plot are all donated to the Charlevoix Community Food Pantry. In its 2025 season, the garden produced over 400 pounds of fresh produce using organic methods - which was gratefully recieved by the volunteers at the Food Pantry. Members of the Food Pantry Board of Directors stated "It was lovely to be able to share the bounty with our clients." With funding from National Garden Clubs’ Plant America Grant, as well as the Espoma Organics Grant, the CAGC is excited to make capital improvements to increase our yield and continue to grow organically. The funds will be used to construct raised beds, new trellises, and drip irrigation lines, and to purchase high quality soil and weed mat. In 2026 we plan to double the size of our garden plot to increase production. We also hope to inspire others in our community to grow their own food and to donate their surplus to those in need. If you are interested in renting a City of Charlevoix Community Garden plot, visit the City of Charlevoix website: https://charlevoixmi.gov/230/Garden-Plots For more information about the Charlevoix Community Food Pantry: https://chxcommunityfoodpantry.com

Each year, members of our club walk through Charlevoix taking a close look at local businesses that have made a special effort to beautify their exteriors and entrances with plants. This can include gardens, window boxes, planters and pots. Some have the opportunity to create large displays, while other businesses may be limited by space to flower pots near their front entrance. This year we presented Awards of Distinction to the following: ·       Esperance – recognized for floral and herbal plantings, Larry Moralla, gardener. ·       Edgewater Properties – colorful layers of perennials in their planting beds. ·       Bridge Street Tap Room – creative planters surrounding their patio seating. ·       Bloom Floral Design - for stunning planters on VanPelt Alley. ·       Pepper’s Boutique – colorful planters at the entrance to the boutique. ·       GaGa for Kids – for their pretty pastel window boxes and planters. ·       Bingham Insurance Agency – beautiful and lush perennial garden. ·       Margot and the Parson’s Nose – large window box display. ·       Grey Gables Restaurant – for their hidden garden. Many other Charlevoix businesses and institutions deserve our thanks and praise for their beautification efforts. The above card of thanks and encouragement was delivered to: ·       Barron and Engstrom (flagpole planting) ·       Pointes North (perennial plantings of roses and lilies) ·       CSS (outstanding hanging petunias) ·       Ahneen (decorative edibles - strawberries) ·       Berkshire Hathaway (patriotic planter) ·       Tasha’s Tees (colorful flower boxes all summer long) ·       Smoke on the Water ·       Elements ·       North Seas Gallery ·       Charlevoix Insurance Agency (Petunia plantings) ·       Hoop Skirt Alley Planters ·       The Clothing Company (for ferns) ·       Café Meria (varied small plantings proportional to space) ·       American Spoon ·       Aardvark Gallery (creatively planted tub) ·       The Lake House ·       Hot Doggers (Cheerful bank of marigolds) ·       Ugly Duckling Designs - Rustic Planters with pink flowers ·       MacDonald’s - Shrubbery and perennials by drive-through

The Historic Main Conservatory at Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania Quite a few members of our club spend the winter away from Charlevoix – typically in a warmer climate. Even those who are full time residents of Northern Michigan find they need a winter break from the snow and cold. For gardeners, it’s revitalizing to see plants growing and blooming during this time of year.   During the first week of March, before astronomical spring began, I took a trip to the Brandywine Valley area of Delaware and Pennsylvania. This area, which includes Philadelphia (known as “America’s Garden Capital”) has more public gardens than anywhere else in the country.  Less than a 30 minute drive from Philadelphia are the magnificent landscapes and greenhouses on former du Pont estates (Longwood Gardens, Winterthur, Nemours, and the Hagley Museum). Bartram’s Garden (the oldest botanic garden in the United States) is within Philadelphia’s city limits and John Bartram’s original house, dating from 1728 still stands along with his garden and greenhouse. The more than 30 area gardens also include well-known arboretums (Morris Arboretum, Scott Arboretum) and native gardens (Mt. Cuba Center and Stoneleigh).   Even in the mid-Atlantic area, gardens are not in full bloom in early March, but there are certainly signs of spring – such as a lawn covered by crocus at Winterthur and Galanthus popping up everywhere. Estates such as Longwood have enormous conservatories – where colorful blooms are in view all year long.   Crocus covering the lawn at Winterthur in early March The focus of my visit (as it has been annually for quite a few years) was the Philadelphia Flower Show. If you have never attended the show, I can’t recommend it enough.  The Show is both the nation's largest and the world’s longest-running horticultural event. It began in 1829 and features stunning displays by premier floral and landscape designers from around the world. In addition to acres of garden displays (all inside the Philadelphia Convention Center), the Flower Show hosts competitions in horticulture and artistic floral arranging, gardening presentations and demonstrations.   At the entrance to the 2025 Philadelphia Flower Show This year the theme for the show was “Gardens of Tomorrow”.  The organizers hoped that the theme would be an invitation to envision a future where our actions today nurture a healthier planet. Conservation-themed displays were definitely on view at the show, as well as a lot of very “futuristic” looking vignettes. Many displays prominently featured native plants. One that I found most impressive was a pine forest featuring an arrangement of moss – highlighting its usefulness as a means of carbon sequestration.   With April here, and armed with all of this gardening inspiration, I am ready to get to work! I just hope nature provides us with some garden-friendly spring weather. Color in bloom at the Philadelphia Flower Show By: CACG Member, Beth Cowie

In a recent article by Marianne Willburn in the “American Gardener” magazine, she discusses the winter garden and expresses her distaste for the term “winter interest:   ‘Fundamentally, “winter interest” is a statement of absence and comparison. We do not use or need its equivalent in spring or summer. No one in their right mind terms a tulip “spring interest” or adds “summer interest” to a four-season catalog description of a Southern magnolia. To term a garden element winter interest – be it a leaf, berry, bark, or twig – is to reject the capacity of the winter garden to charm on its own terms.’ Even the use of the word “interest” is a something like a back-handed compliment. Yes, here in Northern Michigan, where most of our annuals are dormant during the wintertime we will never have lush, colorful displays in our gardens during the cold months, but that doesn’t need to be an excuse to ignore our garden space in the winter.   During the period when deciduous plants lose their leaves, we can appreciate their structure and form. The long shadows and conifers in the snow create a unique winter beauty. Without the distraction of the abundant foliage of summer the garden can take on the artistry of a black and white photograph.   The amazing structure of this tree is best appreciated in winter Color is available in winter – in fruit, bark, and evergreen trees and shrubs. Many native plants not only bring beauty to the garden but also provide important ecological benefits, such as shelter and food for overwintering songbirds.   Winterberry holly Among the best plants for winter fruiting displays are winterberry hollies.  Ilex verticillata , commonly known as winterberry, is a deciduous shrub native to the entire eastern US. It is laden with vibrant fruits throughout the winter. Outstanding cultivars include ‘Winter Red,’ with bright red berries, and ‘Winter Gold,’ with orange fruits. To ensure fruiting, a male plant like ‘Southern Gentleman’ is needed for pollination.   Redosier dogwood and the stems of native grasses The bright stems of redosier dogwood ( Cornus sericea ) are magnificent in winter. This plant is native to our area and tolerant of wet soil – making it a great plant to protect shorelines from erosion and ice damage. The berries provide winter food source for birds, and the spring flowers attract beneficial pollinators. Both red and yellow stemmed cultivars are available. Switchgrass in the winter garden   Native grasses can look showy in winter with their beautiful gold-colored foliage. Switchgrass ( Panicum virgatum ) features upright, narrow leaves that grow 4–6 feet tall, adding striking vertical interest to the garden. In contrast, prairie dropseed ( Sporobolus heterolepis ) is a clumping grass with slender leaves that form attractive mounds of foliage.   Galanthus nivalis popping up through the snow As winter days grow longer, and the snow begins to melt, the delicate flowers from minor bulbs appear.  It is delightful to see snowdrops ( Galanthus nivalis ) and glory of the snow (C hionodoxas ) – as they tell us that spring is on its way. These small blooms would be lost among the plants in a summer garden, but in late winter and early spring we can truly appreciate their beauty.   The delicate blue blooms of C hionodoxas Lenten Rose ( helleborus ) is a deer-resistant, shade-loving, perennial that will start to show its colors in late winter – some varieties blooming earlier than others.   The “blooms” (which are actually sepals that protect the true flowers) last for several months (March until June) and the foliage is a wonderful summer ground-cover.   Lenten Rose, helleborus No one can blame a gardener for taking it easy during the winter months, there certainly isn’t the same level of work in the garden (no deadheading, weeding, watering, harvesting), although winter is the best time to do pruning of deciduous trees and shrubs. By doing some creative planting, the winter garden does not need to feel barren – and winter becomes another season for the garden not just a time for "winter interest" placeholders.

The Charlevoix Area Garden Club has created a Vegetable Garden to Provide Food for Our Community. One of the 2023-2025 National Garden Club President’s projects is a campaign to help feed the hungry across America.  Called  Plant America-Feed America   the project encourages members to participate in one of several ways to help fight food insecurity. The Michigan Garden Clubs has offered further resources to help member clubs get started and branded the initiative “Gardening with Purpose”.   The Charlevoix Area Garden Club has taken on this challenge. In May 2024 we planted our first Community Vegetable Garden as a part of the Plant America – Feed America campaign with the intention of growing fresh produce to be donated to the Charlevoix Community Food Pantry .   Fighting chronic hunger in America is an ongoing problem.  According to latest statistics from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 33.8 million people in America are food insecure – 5 million of them are children. More families are showing up at food banks to ask for help.  Even our elderly population on a fixed income suffer from a lack of nutritious food.    Taking on a new project can be a strain on a garden club. Prior to adding the Community Vegetable Garden, our club was maintaining eight Civic Gardens in Charlevoix , however our members felt that this was an important initiative. We also wanted to try our hand at producing food – and hopefully encourage other members of our community to participate in this effort.   How it Went and What We Learned We decided to start small and learn what crops worked best so that we could maximize our future food donations. We secured two 24 x 24 foot plots in the City of Charlevoix Community Garden – located off of State Street (near the airport). These plots are available for residents of our community and water is provided on-site. Gardeners must provide their own deer protection – so we installed a temporary deer fence to prevent our crops from becoming a buffet for wildlife.   We wanted to grow our crops without the use of herbicides, pesticides, and inorganic fertilizers, so our first task was adding organic matter (composted manure and clean straw) to the soil to improve the soil texture and mineral content. We found that due to annual tilling, the texture of the soil has become quite fine and tends to clump into clay-like balls when wet. The soil amendments helped, but we realized that root vegetables (carrots, radish, potatoes) may have a hard time in this soil.   The crops we planted this year were: snow peas, pole beans, kale, zucchini, tomatoes, bell peppers, winter squash (honeynut). We also planted annual flowers (zinnia, cosmos, sweet alyssum, nasturtium, and marigolds) to attract pollinators, trap pests, and act as living mulch for our crops. This was also part of our experiment with companion planting. The garden was generally a success. We used donated materials for the fencing and weed mat. The cost to the Garden Club for soil amendments, plants, and signage was $174.81. We donated over 125 pounds of fresh produce to the food pantry and it was gratefully received. Some crops definitely did better than others, but we will use that knowledge to better plan for next season. What worked: Green beans: We planted one variety of beans - Seychelles pole beans. They were planted in one row with a trellis fence as support. They had a great yield and continue to set new pods as they are picked. They were one of the first crops to mature (mid July) and the last to be harvested (late September). The zinnias planted in the row adjacent to the beans mostly kept the Japanese Beetles off of the crop, and the Sweet Alyssum planted at the base of the bean plants did a good job acting as living mulch (keeping the weeds down). Tomatoes: Several varieties of tomatoes were planted. The Black Cherry, Cherokee Purple, and Roma were the biggest producers.  We inter-planted marigolds among the tomatoes as an experiment in companion planting. Marigolds can both deter pests (whiteflies and nematodes) and attract beneficial insects (bees and ladybugs). Tomatoes need pollination to produce fruit, so attracting bees is vital. Bell peppers: We only put in a few plants, but they really liked the amount of sun in the community garden plots. We interplanted with nasturtiums – which are a good pollinator attractor and living mulch (although they can really sprawl and take over if not cut back).   What didn’t work: Zucchini: The plants started out strong, but succumbed to powdery mildew and stopped producing. We ended up pulling the plants out in July. We also realized that the Food Pantry gets plenty of zucchini donations, so this doesn’t seem like a crop worth repeating. Snow peas: The conditions in the garden may be too sunny and hot for these plants, and they didn’t end up producing very much. They also came down with a bad case of powdery mildew early, so we took them out and put in a row of radicchio in July.   What could be done better and plans for next season: The Honeynut winter squash did fairly well, but in hopes of improving both the quality of the crop and the yield, we are planning to grow it up welded wire arches next season. This will keep the vines off of the ground and should help give the plants some disease protection. By creating a tunnel of squash we would have a shaded row for planting leafy greens (lettuce, arugula, spinach) that wouldn’t tolerate amount of sun that the garden receives. We used a woven weed mat between the crop rows. Next season we will use more. Weeds are a massive problem in the plots and weeding between crops in the hot sun is not fun (but necessary because we did not use herbicides). If we expand the garden and eliminate the crops that didn’t work well, we can add a few others. We are considering cabbage as well as a couple of root vegetables (carrots, radish, onions) if we create some raised beds with better soil. We’re looking forward to next year, and a new growing season. Hopefully the lessons we learned will pay off and we will be able to produce more with less work. We also hope to encourage more members of our community to grow food and to donate their excess to the Charlevoix Community Food Pantry. If you don’t have garden space on your own property, there are quite a few unused plots in the Charlevoix Community Garden. To find out more about securing a space go to: https://www.charlevoixmi.gov/230/Garden-Plots

Currently, the Charlevoix Area Garden Club cares for nine gardens in Charlevoix. Eight of the gardens are at civic or public locations: Depot Heritage Garden, Père Charlevoix Garden, Charlevoix Historical Society Garden at Harsha House, Memorial Garden, Post Office Garden, Meditation Garden at Charlevoix Hospital, Triangle Garden, Library Garden. The ninth garden, added in 2024, is the Community Vegetable Garden.   The Gardens can be located using this online map: CLICK HERE About half of the gardens that we currently maintain were founded in the 1970’s: Library (original location), Père Charlevoix, Memorial, Post Office, and Triangle. In the last 25 years we added the Depot, Harsha House, new Library, and the Charlevoix Hospital Garden. The Garden Club newsletter from October 1999 features and article about the new garden at the hospital with a photo of members Kathy Johnson, Rhea Dow, and Chris Unbehaun.   The Club, sadly, had to discontinue care for a number of gardens as our resources were stretched. These included: The Middle School Butterfly Garden, Head Start Garden, Bergmann Center Therapy Garden, Charlevoix Pool, and the Charlevoix Area Foundation. The Bergmann Center’s garden took the first place prize for therapy gardens – awarded by the National Federation of Garden Clubs.   A recent survey of the chairpersons of each garden yielded the following results:   Good news: most gardens are doing well members are committed to the gardens they tend nearly all members who signed up last year worked at least one garden more members have signed up to work in 2025 than in the previous year garden chairperson leadership remains consistent   Concerns: overall shortage of volunteers need help at the Père Charlevoix Garden and Hospital Garden the Depot Garden, Père Charlevoix Garden, and Hospital Gardens are difficult and/or too much work definition of cost responsibilities between the CAGC and the entities with ownership of the gardens – particularly for large budget items such as tree maintenance and removal, grading, boulders, large shrub removal, large scale weeding/mulching/soil amendments inadequate irrigation at Harsha House and Père Charlevoix Garden   Actions: we have created the position of “Garden Coordinator” added more volunteers for 2025 rotate new members between several gardens compile bids from several companies for large budget items and selectively use professional help to ease the work load on members work with the City and other owners of the garden properties to repair or replace irrigation using a matching gift model   Recommendations: New members should rotate through several gardens ASAP To cultivate friendships, chairs send weekly communication to garden team and avoid single worker gardening when feasible Use one-day volunteers for heavy workload times with advance notice Add soil amendments like compost when adding new plants and for yearly topping Use club Master Gardeners knowledge and resources at MSU Extension for plant diagnostics and soil samples Add Civic Garden Coordinator as non-voting ad hoc Board   “Your garden is yours. And your standards should be the ones you establish. And these standards should be actually achievable. Achievable based on the resources you have and can spare for your own piece of ground—little things like blood, sweat and tears; brainpower; manpower; time; money” Scott Buererlein, Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden To see a PDF of the full presentation "CAGC Civic Gardens - 50 Years of Growing" given by our Garden Coordinator, Dawne Jordan, at our October 2024 Membership Meeting CLICK HERE

Charlevoix Area Garden Club Member, Rhea Dow doesn't limit her horticulture activities to summer. She is currently starting new geranium plants from cuttings and forcing forsythia branches to bloom in vases. You can follow the photos below to see how it's done. Creating New Geranium Plants from Cuttings Take cuttings from the "Mother Plant". The tools and the cuttings. The cuttings taking root in water. After the cuttings have established roots (about 4-5 weeks) move the new plants to a container filled with potting soil. Make sure the container has sufficient drainage. Once planted, your rooted geranium cutting will need the same care you would give any other geranium plant in your garden. Forcing Forsythia Bring a touch of spring indoors and enjoy watching forsythia bloom in a vase while winter carries on outside your windows. It's fairly simple to create this "living arrangement. Cut branches from Forsythia bushes and crush the ends with a hammer to allow them to draw water. Stand the stems in deep water. Watch for the flowers - then arrange in your favorite vase and enjoy! One February, a friend of Rhea's sent her a Happy Imbolc email. Happy Imbolc?? Exploring Imbolc, she found an interesting history of ancient farmer's observations and festivals. From the Boston Public Library: Imbolc symbolizes the halfway point between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. The word "imbolc" means "in the belly of the Mother," because the seeds of spring are beginning to stir in the belly of Mother Earth. Observing plants, Rhea has found that increased growth to starts to happening in February. Cuttings root faster. Leaf buds break on plants in the greenhouse. Plants start to wake up! It is like a yawn in the yearly cycle of the plant kingdom.

An updated USDA Plant Hardiness map was released in November 2023. It is the standard by which gardeners and growers can determine which perennial plants are most likely to survive in their location. This map puts the City of Charlevoix and Charlevoix Township in Zone 6a. On the 2012 USDA Map Charlevoix was Zone 5b, and in the 1990 version we were Zone 5a. In the new map about half of the country has shifted to a new zone. Plant hardiness zone designations represent the “average annual extreme minimum temperature” at a given location during a particular time period (30 years, in the case of the new map). The designations do not reflect the coldest it has ever been or ever will be at a specific location, but simply the average lowest winter temperature, and gardeners know that how cold it is during the winter is a crucial factor in the survival of plants. The 2012 USDA Zone Hardiness Map (above) The 2023 map incorporates data from 13,412 weather stations compared to the 7,983 that were used for the 2012 map. The latest edition of the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map is GIS (Geographic Information System)-based and is specifically designed for the Internet. It enables viewers to examine plant hardiness zones at a much finer scale than 1990 and earlier maps. Simply type your ZIP Code in the box near the top of the map and your zone will be reported. https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov When selecting perennials, the Plant Hardiness Zone is not the only thing to consider. A gardener needs to assess their specific conditions – meaning the microclimate(s) in the garden. Microclimates can be created by a number of things such as physical structures (walls, or buildings). Dense surfaces (brick, stone, concrete, etc.) will hold and radiate heat. They can also shelter plants by blocking the wind. Topography and large bodies of water will change the growing climate, as well. It’s obvious when you look at the USDA map that Lake Michigan has a huge impact on our climate. As you move to the eastern end of Charlevoix County, you may find yourself in Zone 4. Lake Michigan serves to moderate the climate in Charlevoix. We experience cooler temperatures during the spring and early summer and warmer temperatures during the fall and early winter than locations farther from the lake. The lake effect also increases the cloudiness and snowfall during the fall and winter. Daisies happily growing in the Depot Heritage Garden on Lake Charlevoix If you live on top of a hill, or deep in a valley, you will find differences between what the USDA Map says and what is actually happening in your location because topography plays a major role. Valleys can have more frost problems because warm air is lighter than cold air. Rainfall, shade, soil types, mulching practices, paved surfaces, fences or dense hedges can also impact your microclimates. Clever gardeners can manipulate their microclimates to work for them. So, zone maps are not absolute – they are just one of the tools that are useful in plant selection. Another of those tools is the MSU Extension list of statewide frost free dates. This list can help you decide when it’s safe to put flowering annuals and vegetables into your garden. https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/frost-free-dates Colorful Zinnia are happy in the Pere Charlevoix Garden on Lake Michigan The new map is telling us what we already know – the climate is changing. The region has gotten warmer and wetter since 1900, with Michigan seeing average yearly temperature increase by two to three degrees Fahrenheit and average rainfall increase by around five inches. According to GLISA (a Climate Partnership between the University of Michigan and Michigan State University): https://glisa.umich.edu The frost-free season lengthened by 16 days in the Great Lakes region from 1951-2017, and may extend up to 50 days longer by 2100. As air temperatures continue to rise and further warm the Great Lakes, areas in lake-effect zones will continue to see increasing lake-effect snowfall as a warmer atmosphere will be able to hold increasing amounts of moisture. Since 1951, average temperatures have increased by 2.3°F (1.3°C) in the U.S. Great Lakes region. By 2050, average air temperatures are projected to increase by 3 to 6°F (1.7 to 3.3°C). Winter temperatures have been rising faster than temperatures during other seasons. Some of this may be good news in the short term – warmer weather and fewer frost-free days will give us a longer growing season and widen the selection of plants we can grow. The bad news is that the negative effects of increasing storm activity, flooding, extreme heat, summer drought risks, and pests may outweigh the benefits of warmer temperatures. Researchers at the USDA have been studying the effects of the warming climate on plants. You can read more here: https://www.ars.usda.gov/oc/dof/growing-plants-in-a-hotter-world/ Bergamot is a pollinator-attracting native perennial The bottom line for us gardeners is the same as it has always been. In order for a plant to thrive we need to choose the right plant for the right place. Yes, we may be able to add azaleas to our gardens now, but they may not survive if all of the other conditions (soil, light, moisture) and the microclimate of the planting location are not right. Native plants are always a good choice for your garden. According to the Xerces Society: Native, pollinator-attracting plants in the garden “By greening and transforming our landscapes, we can absorb carbon, reduce urban temperatures, provide habitat that supports pollinators and many other animals, create connections between larger patches of habitat that will allow pollinators to move through our communities—and native plants are the best way to do this. In addition to supporting a greater diversity and abundance of bees, and vastly more species of butterfly and moth caterpillars, native plants are typically better adapted to local conditions, making them easier to grow and more likely to survive.” For the Xerces Society plant list for the Great Lakes region go to: https://xerces.org/publications/plant-lists/native-plants-for-pollinators-and-beneficial-insects-great-lakes or go to the plant list and list of resources in our previous blog post that discusses the benefits of using native plants in your garden: https://www.charlevoixareagardenclub.org/post/native-plants-and-invasive-plants-good-vs-evil

Those of us who garden here in Northern Michigan have our challenges – one of the biggest being the ever-increasing deer population. Last year the herds of deer in Charlevoix had grown to become such a problem for the city’s gardeners that it became a major topic of a heated City Council meeting. When spring arrives, deer are looking for green growth to help them recover from limited and low-quality winter food. They typically feed throughout the early morning and again from dusk until midnight on grasses and newly budding plants. When summer arrives, deer browse the leaves of select trees and shrubs as well your garden! In autumn deer are working to build fat reserves to help them survive, and they are most attracted to acorns, apples, maple and dogwood leaves, willow, and brambles. During the winter, when their food sources dwindle, they attack trees and shrubs - white pine, white cedar, red maple, yellow birch, dogwood, viburnum, sumac, and aspen. The branches, buds, and leaves within reach should be protected from deer damage. The members of the Charlevoix Area Garden Club employ numerous methods reduce deer damage in their gardens. The most successful strategies fall into several categories, and often they use these in combination: Plant flowers, trees, and shrubs that are not preferred by deer, while acknowledging that hungry deer will browse on almost anything. Avoid plants that are “deer candy” like Hosta, Tulips, Roses. Deer dislike plants with strong scents (Herbs, Alliums) or fuzzy foliage (Dusty Miller, Lambs Ears, Ferns). Foxglove, Hellebore, and Daffodil contain compounds that are poisonous, so deer will leave them alone. The placement of plants in part determines the extent of damage. Plant more susceptible species near the home, in a fenced area, or inside a protective ring of less-preferred species. Interplanting with species that deer will not eat can help keep them away from other plants. Deer repellents, both homemade and commercially available, will work if regularly reapplied. You should spray weekly or after a rain. CAGC Member, Rhea Dow notes: “Deer are creatures of habit so I spray early before seeing nibble damage.” Fencing or netting is a must for a vegetable garden and for many new budding shrubs. A tall fence (8 feet or higher) is the only sure deer-proofing method. Netting can be placed around individual plants – particularly when they are sending out new growth. Deer have a preference for young plants and shoots. Methods of frightening deer include dogs, lights, sprinklers, can all scare away deer – although deer can learn to become accustomed to the sounds or sights. The Charlevoix Area Garden Club established the Depot Historic Gardens in 2002. Deer are among the many visitors. Over the years the Garden's plants have change to reflect what the deer do not eat. Below is a list of plants that have been a success in the Depot Heritage Garden and in the private gardens of some of our members: Shrubs, Ferns, Grasses, and Ground Cover Buxus sempervirens, Boxwood – because of Boxwood Blight, use cultivars that are known to be resistant. Spiraea japonica, Japanese Spirea - used as a specimen plant or as a hedge, screen, or border. Panicum virgatum, Switchgrass – native, tall prairie grass, works well at back of borders. Adiantum pedatum, Maidenhair Fern – native, fine-textured foliage, suitable for shade. Pachysandra terminalis, Pachysandra or Japanese Spurge – is a very common groundcover that spreads by rhizomes to form large colonies. Perennials Liatris spicata, Blazing Star – vertical spikes of purple or white flowers. ‘Floristan’ is a cultivar often found in nurseries. There is also native: Rough blazing star, Liatris aspera. Geranium 'Rozanne', Cranesbill – one of the longest blooming perennials in the garden. Astilbe japonica, False Spirea – is an excellent shade perennial. Paeonia, Peony – blooms from late spring to early summer. Plants can take several years to establish themselves. Alchemilla mollis, Lady’s Mantle is an adaptable European garden perennial grown for both its interesting foliage and sprays of flowers in midsummer. Dicentra spectabilis, Bleeding heart is a native of eastern Asia and works well in a shade garden with ferns and astilbe. Colchicum, Autumn Crocus is a fall flowering bulb in the lily family. Lavandula, Lavender is a part of the mint family and is native to Mediterranean countries. Baptista australis, Blue False Indigo is native to eastern North American prairies, meadows, and open woods. It produces spires of blue flowers in late spring. Brunnera macrophylla ‘Jack Frost’, Siberian bugloss, is grown primarily for its shimmering foliage, but it also produces lovely sprays of blue flowers in late spring. Leucanthemum × superbum, Shasta Daisy bloom from early through late summer. Iris x germanica, Bearded Iris is the most commonly found garden iris. Narcissus, Daffodil are a reliable spring bloomer that contain the alkaloid lycorine which makes them unpalatable to deer and rodents. Allium, Ornamental Onion come in a variety of sizes. Allium giganteum produce a large ball of star-shaped lilac-purple florets which appears like a single flower on a long stem. Achillea millefolium, Yarrow. Both native and introduced varieties of yarrow are available in an array of colors. It attracts pollinators. Digitalis, Foxglove is a stately flower with tall elegant spikes covered in bell-shape blossoms beloved by hummingbirds and bumblebees. Helleborus, Lenten Rose makes an excellent shade garden plant and offers some of the first blooms of spring. Agastache foeniculus, Anise Hyssop is a short-lived herbaceous perennial with blue flowers and fragrant foliage. It is native to the upper Midwest. Nepeta, Catmint is a carefree, drought-tolerant perennial that makes a great border. It’s purple-blue flowers start appearing early in summer. Annuals Senecio cineraria, Dusty Miller is grown for its ornamental silver-grey foliage. Tagetes, Marigolds are no-fuss sun-loving flowers that repel deer and other garden pests – making them a great companion plant in your vegetable beds as well as you flower garden. Lobularia maritima, Sweet Alyssum is a low-growing, spreading, and long-flowering plant well suited to the front of a border or in containers. Ageratumm, Floss Flower is a native of Central and South America. Most nursery species are compact and flower from late spring into fall in shades of blue and purple. Antirrhinum majus, Snapdragon. Snapdragons bloom most profusely in the cooler weather of spring and fall. Vegetables and Herbs (that are reasonably safe to grow without a deer fence) Onions Garlic Asparagus Hot peppers Zucchini Rosemary Chives Thyme Oregano Mint Sage Preferred commercial deer repellents: Plot Saver: can be sprayed on a plastic ribbon strung around the garden or directly on plants. Apply once a week and after rains. Deer Out: works well if applied regularly. It has a minty odor so it’s not as offensive to humans as some of the other deer sprays. This product is recommended by a number of our Garden Club members. Home-made repellents: 1 Gallon of water, 3 eggs beaten, 3 T garlic powder - Mix together, strain into a spray apparatus and apply to plants. 1 Gallon of water, 1 egg beaten, 1 T oil, 1 T dish soap, ½ cup milk - Mix well, place in spray bottle or apparatus. Keep lid on as it does smell! Audrey Etienne fills 1-pound coffee cans with Milorganite and places them around beds. Avoid by the house as it smells. Place cans (or piles of Milorganite) every 10 to 12 feet in areas where deer come. Another solution from Audrey: 1 gallon of water, 1 tablespoon baking soda and one raw egg beaten. Let it sit 72 hours and put in a sprayer. Apply as needed. Keeps awhile. Repels rabbits and deer. Needs to be reapplied after heavy rain. Cass Williamson purchases lavender mulch and lavender sachets locally from Lavender Hill Farm to use as deer repellents. Other strategies: A few years ago, when Lois Lewis had a large vegetable garden the deer stayed in the wooded area near by. As the deer population became larger, she used the "scarecrow" sprayer to keep them out. Sue Thurow notes: “We started out using scarecrows but have mostly switched to the Orbit Enforcer Sprinkler. The reason we like this better is that it has the choice of Day/Night sensitivity so you don’t have to turn them off during the day. Or you can choose to have them on all the time. We also have a timer on the hose bib so we don’t have water presser on all the time. We hook several of these up in series and it works like a charm! No deer issues at all as long as they are active. Batteries last all summer. You can buy them on Amazon for about $90. We could not have the flower garden without these!” Rich Brown also finds the motion sensor sprinklers very effective. When Rhea Dow lived in the wooded acreage on Boyne City Road, her gardens were protected by an electric fence and repellent sprays. She notes “In town, I can't use the fence. Developed for orchards, I have used Green Screen bags to protect small trees. Beware that dogs love the bags and become ill if they eat them.” Beth Cowie plants herbs such as thyme, mint, sage, rosemary, and chamomile throughout her perennial beds. Roman Chamomile and thyme work well as a low front border, they are not touched by the deer, and they (mostly) prevent the deer from walking into the beds. Cindy Vermeesch uses Deer Out, but admits "The only thing to really keep them out is an eight foot (or higher) fence!" Resources Some helpful books for selecting plants: Deer Resistant Design by Karen Chapman 50 Beautiful Deer Resistant Plants by Ruth Rogers Clausen “Smart Gardening to Deter Deer”, Michigan State University https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/smart_gardening_to_deter_deer “Reducing Deer Damage to Ornamental and Garden Plants”, Cornell University Extension https://monroe.cce.cornell.edu/resources/deer-damage-reducing “Landscaping By Deer: Deer Resistant Plants at a Horticulturist’s Home Garden”, by Dr. Tom Fernandez, Department of Horticulture, Michigan State University https://www.mnla.org/sites/default/files/inline-files/deer_resistant_plants_fernandez2021_red.pdf "Ornamental Plants, listed by susceptibility to deer damage", from Cornell Coop Extension (printable pdf). https://dedaa1c4-c87b-4609-8f7c-551fa2f92a3b.usrfiles.com/ugd/dedaa1_af3b6cb9e2f844aa9f48167c161ed703.pdf Landscape Plants Rated by Deer Resistance, from Rutgers University, New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station. https://njaes.rutgers.edu/deer-resistant-plants/

If are not already using native plants in your garden, it’s time to start! There’s a wealth of resources available to home gardeners, and you can inspire others and do your part to help the larger ecosystem by planting native species, eliminating invasives, and joining HOMEGROWN NATIONAL PARK, “a bottom-up call-to-action to restore habitat where we live and work – extending national parks to our yards and communities.” The end of this post includes links to resources for selecting native plants for Michigan’s Northern Lower Peninsula and for identifying and eliminating invasives from your landscape. Native plants are endemic to a particular area, occurring there long before human habitation. These plants evolved and adapted to the local climate and growing conditions, becoming an integral part of the ecosystem. These important plant species provide nectar, pollen, and seeds that serve as food for native butterflies, insects, birds and other animals. Unlike natives, common horticultural plants do not provide energetic rewards for their visitors and often require insect pest control to survive. Native plants are advantageous because: · They do not require fertilizers and require fewer pesticides than lawns. · Native plants require less water than lawns and help prevent erosion. The deep root systems of many native Midwestern plants increase the soil's capacity to store water. They significantly reduce water runoff and, consequently, flooding. · Native plants help reduce air pollution. Native plantscapes do not require mowing. Excessive carbon from the burning of fossil fuels contributes to global warming. Native plants sequester, or remove, carbon from the air. · Native plants provide shelter and food for wildlife. · Native plants promote biodiversity and stewardship of our natural heritage. · Native plants are beautiful and increase scenic values! A few suggested native plants for Northern Michigan (see resources below for many more): · Maidenhair Fern, Adiantum pedatum · Golden Alexanders, Zizia aurea · Showy Goldenrod, Solidago speciosa · Sky Blue Aster, Aster azureus · Spotted Joe-pye Weed, Eupatoriadelphus maculatus · Sweet Black-eyed Susan, Rudbeckia subtomentosa · Common Buttonbush, Cephalanthus occidentalis · Winterberry, Ilex verticillata An invasive species is an introduced, nonnative organism that begins to spread or expand its range from the site of its original introduction and that has the potential to cause harm to the environment, the economy, or to human health. Invasive plants cause costly economic and ecological damage each year including crop decimation, clogging of water facilities and waterways, and increased fire vulnerability. Invasive plants are problematic because: · Invasive plant species outcompete natives and spread quickly. They displace native plants, prevent native plant growth, and create monocultures. · Invasive groundcovers (like ivy) have little root structure to bind the soil making erosion much more likely. · Invasive plants are a leading cause of declines in native plant and animal numbers, and are a factor in Endangered Species Act listings. · Invasive plants can reduce the amount of tree cover by preventing trees from becoming established. Invasives – the chief offenders in Michigan https://www.michiganinvasives.org/resources/ Autumn olive (Elaeagnus umbellata) Black and Pale swallow-worts (V. nigrum / V. rossicum) Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense) Common buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica) Garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata) Glossy buckthorn (Frangula alnus) Japanese barberry (Berberis thunbergii) Japanese knotweed (Polygonum cuspidatum) Leafy spurge (Euphorbia virgata) Oriental bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus) Wild parsnip (Pastinaca sativa) Resources: Homegrown National Park is a grassroots call-to-action to regenerate biodiversity and ecosystem function by planting native plants and creating new ecological networks. The Michigan Garden Clubs have partnered with Homegrown National Park in order to encourage individuals to take action and get the word out about the importance of planting native. https://homegrownnationalpark.org/about Michigan State University Extension has online resources for selecting and maintaining native plant landscapes. There are over 1,800 native plant species in Michigan. MSU Native Plant List – Northern Lower Peninsula:https://www.canr.msu.edu/nativeplants/plant_facts/local_info/north_lower_peninsula University of Michigan Herbarium - Michigan Flora Database contains information, mapping, and search tools as a companion to the Field Manual of Michigan Flora. The site provides basic information about all vascular plants known to occur outside of cultivation in the state. https://michiganflora.net Plant it Wild is an independent, no-profit native plant group based in Benzie and Manistee counties in Michigan. Their website contains list of native plants that they use, and other resources: https://plantitwild.net Wildflower Association of Michigan promotes awareness of the ecological benefits of native plants and native plant communities. https://wildflowersmich.org Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council Native Plant List - Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council is dedicated to protecting our lakes, streams, wetlands, and groundwater in Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, and Emmet Counties. Their website includes Northern Michigan Native plants, invasive species to avoid, and sources for purchasing native plants. https://www.watershedcouncil.org/native-plants.html Wild Ones promotes environmentally friendly, sound landscaping to preserve biodiversity through the preservation, restoration, and establishment of native plant communities. They provide educational resources and free, professionally designed native garden templates. https://wildones.org Michigan Audubon provides a list of Michigan Native Plants for Bird Friendly Landscapes as well as other resources on their website. https://www.michiganaudubon.org/bfc/bird-friendly-plants/ Northwest Michigan Invasive Species Network is a Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (or Cooperative Weed Management Area). Their website offers resources for identifying invasive species along with educational resources, treatment for invasives, and native plant guides. https://www.habitatmatters.org CAKE CISMA The cooperative invasive species management area serving Charlevoix, Antrim, Kalkaska, and Emmet counties. CISMAs are partnerships of groups and individuals that work to address invasive species impacts on the environment, economy and human health within a defined region. Their website provides resources for native and invasive plants in our region. https://www.cakecisma.org/learn Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation is an international nonprofit organization that protects the natural world through the conservation of invertebrates and their habitats. It provides a list of Native plants for Pollinators & Beneficial Insects for the Great Lakes region: https://xerces.org/sites/default/files/publications/22-021_01_NPPBI—GreatLakes_web.pdf Gruler Gardens, Petoskey, MI, is a native plant garden. Their annual plant sale dates are listed on their website. https://www.grulergardens.com/nativeplants Birdsfoot Native Nursery, South Boardman, MI, propagates Michigan native species from seed to produce high quality, container grown plants for landscaping professionals, homeowners and conservation efforts. They are not open for retail sales, but you can purchase online https://www.birdsfootnativenursery.com Black Cap Farm, Onekama, MI is a native plant nursery with over 200 species of Michigan native trees, shrubs, grasses, and perennials. https://www.blackcapplants.com Michigan Wildflowers has a list (with photos) of 45 common Michigan Wildflowers on their website: https://michwildflowers.com/michigan-wildflowers/ Michigan DNR Trees webpage has information about trees that are native to the State of Michigan. https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/education/michigan-species/plants-trees Otsego Conservation District offers trees and shrubs as well as their native plant greenhouse that sells locally grown plants. They maintain the Otsego County Alternative Landscaping Demonstration Garden in Gaylord, MI. http://www.otsegocd.org Michigan Wildflower Farm in Portland, MI, sells native plant seeds and offers helpful advice on starting a wildflower meadow. https://www.michiganwildflowerfarm.com