Favor Native

Spring sessions open March 8! - https://mailchi.mp/01a849c08e94/hello-spring-11031877
Coaching and designs appointment are up for grabs.
Be sure to also check out the selection of PrePlanned Designs available for instant download.
Let's get planting!

Happy Spring 2024! Coaching Services open up February 25 and PrePlanned Designs are available right now. Let's save the world a little this year! - https://mailchi.mp/404c602ed855/hello-spring-10401970

It’s GFAA tomorrow!!!! The Hendricks County Master Gardeners present Gardening for All Ages at the Hendricks County Fairgrounds. 9am-4pm Come see me! PS, if you can’t make it, you can still purchase my whole collection of Pre-Planned garden designs!

It’s GFAA tomorrow!!!! The Hendricks County Master Gardeners present Gardening for All Ages at the Hendricks County Fairgrounds. 9am-4pm Come see me! PS, if you can’t make it, you can still purchase my whole collection of Pre-Planned garden designs! Link. In. Bio.

See you next week!

Is Tree “Topping” A Good Method, And What Happens To The Tree After It Is Topped?

An unsatisfactory approach to tree maintenance or pruning is “topping” it. Topping is the indiscriminant removal of branches of a tree above an arbitrary height, leaving unnatural, grotesque stubs and misshapen tree forms. In addition, increased risk tree conditions are introduced with development of decay, weak branch attachments and poor health.

Large evergreen trees do not respond well to topping. The removal of the upper main stem through topping opens the tree to internal decay, disease or damaging insects; it also removes the most productive portion of the tree. The practice of topping to control tree size or growth is not justified. If the tree is too large to fit the space, it should be removed and replaced with a smaller, more suitable species for its growing space.

Be aware that unprofessional tree service crews use this approach because it takes little skill and is easiest for them to perform. Do not let yourself be persuaded that topping serves your best interest; both you and your tree will suffer from such mistreatment.

The topmost part of an evergreen whose shape is pyramidal, such as a spruce tree, has a growing point known as the apical meristem. In evergreen trees, the apical meristem contains a hormone that suppresses lateral growth, helping it to keep its excurrent or pyramidal form. The further away from the tip (apical meristem), the less affect this hormone has on the lateral growth of the tree’s branches. This is why spruce trees have that pyramidal shape and are not more rounded or decurrent. By topping evergreen trees, it will destroy the apical dominance of the plant and result in growing more round than tall with a misshaped top. It will try to re-establish apical dominance as it matures, but it will most likely look very unusual and not like these species should appear with multiple competing growing tips. Remember, this is a natural form for many evergreens to help shed the heavy loads from snowfall. Remove the apical meristem (tip), and you reduce the suppression of lateral growth. This affects the shape of the spruce tree and exposes it to potentially splitting the tree down the trunk as well as exposure to the problems associated with topping.

Hello Spring 2023! - https://mailchi.mp/8d15e9c80011/hello-spring-2023

Late summer updates email just went out! Click the link to view service updates and more...
Black swallowtails love anise hyssop, BTW!
http://mailchi.mp/384adf9cb1ba/late-summer-updates

Bee bum. Pollen pants. Cheeto Bee. We insect-loving gardeners love to come up with fun terms. Too much time on our hands? Nope, just overflowing buckets of awe for nature.
Bumblebee on leadplant, a prairie shrub, nitrogen-fixer, and creator of the orangiest pollen.
Drop your favorite funny bug term below!!

Day 5 of the Native Challenge to celebrate Native Plant Month. Thanks for the challenge, and thanks to all who have followed along. xoxo
Please flip through some of these native garden shots and let them inspire you to new combinations and new life in your space!

Today's entry in the Native Challenge week with is "For the Butterflies." It's no secret that butterflies are the reason most of us start gardening with native plants. They are little bits of magic in this world and deserve the best that we humans can give them. Please swipe through for some of my favorite butterfly(and some moths too) photos.

Don't forget to plant asters for some late season color and nectar! You'll notice A LOT of asters in these photos because they bring the butterflies flocking to you. as my buddy Hannah would say.

Join in on the 5 Day Native Challenge - follow the prompts and use (extra credit for tagging )