by Aina R Ferris, TNE Co-founder
Not one contributor at The Native Explorer (TNE) will call themselves a #nativeplantexpert. Not even MaryAnn Fink, our most decorated team member who's a master gardener, master naturalist, and "green" environmental horticulture advisor. She's even associated with the National Wildlife Federation, MO Botanical Garden, St. Louis and St. Charles County Parks, and the St. Louis Post Dispatch! Yet whenever I refer to her as my personal Yoda, she humbly brushes it off saying, "I'm learning just like everyone else."
She's right. Sure, we attend conferences, webinars, and gatherings; and read books and articles on naturescaping, but we are homeowners just like you. Heck, part of our learning process even involves learning from our mistakes.
Here's a video, "Naturescaping 101", which shows you the importance of setting mulch or compost around the base of your newly planted native. Brian, who's in charge of native plant research and gardening at our property, ordered 30 saplings from the MO Department of Conservation in time for spring 2021. He was excited to get them in the ground. To protect these young Black Chokeberries, Spicebushes, Button Bush, Possumhaw, Serviceberry, Ninebarks, Ozark Witch Hazel, Red Buckeye, Pawpaw, Roughleaf Dogwoods, and Fragrant Sumac from being nibbled on by rabbits, Brian put fencing around each sapling. Watch the video to find out what happened next.
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