June is National Great Outdoors Month

National Great Outdoors Month in June reminds us to explore our nation’s abundant wildlife refuges, parks, and natural beauty.

Whether we hike or bike the trails, kayak or canoe the many rivers and canyons or pitch a tent in the forest or on a hillside,

No matter our preferred mode of enjoying the great outdoors – hiking, biking, kayaking to name a few – nature is calling. Pursue the beauty and majesty of the big skies and open spaces the outdoors offers.

This month also raises awareness of the accessibility of the great outdoors. Depending on where we live, sometimes reaching nature is more difficult. Many cities create relaxing and vibrant green spaces with trails and paths designed for easy access by the community. However, in some inner-city neighborhoods, access to parks or the ability to get outside the city to visit State or National Parks is difficult.

National Great Outdoors Month is an excellent time to consider making access possible.

HOW TO OBSERVE

Visit a State or National Park. Volunteer as a summer camp counselor.  Take an outdoor photography class. Sign up for Northern lights tour. Get blisters where you’ve never had them before.  Go deep sea diving. Learn how to identify birds and go birding. Share your enthusiasm for nature with a group of students and take them on a nature hike.  Become a Big Brother or Big Sister and go on a group nature bike trail. Share your ideas on social media using #GreatOutdoorsMonth.

Decatur has a variety of parks and greenspaces, plan your adventure here!

Spring is Blooming at Scott Park Community Garden

Spring is blooming! I have checked the temperatures for April and we seem to be out-of-the-danger-zone for late frosts. With this belief in hand, I decided to sow my wildflower seeds this past weekend using a mix of annuals and perennial seed types adapted for the Central Piedmont of Georgia. As I have written before, soil preparation is crucial. To this end, I turned over the Scarlett Clover into the soil. Scarlett Clover is a legume – a type of plant that harbors bacteria which “fixes” Nitrogen and makes it available for growing plants. The nitrogen and the decaying plants will nourish this year’s seedlings.   Plants like Scarlett Clover are called Cover Crops and as they decay, the plants are called Green Manure.  As the plants decay, they release their nutrients slowly for optimal uptake by the seedlings and young plants.

I walk the garden and view the plots every few days. Many are looking wonderful – no weeds, a covering of mulch, plantings galore, fencing when needed, and some whimsical additions! All-in-all, the garden is quite beautiful and it will become even more so. However, I strongly encourage those of you with plots that need tending to do so! Weeds are and will take hold and seed quickly in the warming weather.   Less work weeding now, than in the future. Remember, the seeds from the weeds in your plot spread to other’s plots. So, help out and tend to your plot sooner rather than later.

As you are working on your plot – remember a few basics! Planting the same type or a member of the same family of plant in the same spot every year degrades the soil and invites pests such as nematodes specific to the type of plant you are hoping to grow to move in. So, I suggest, trying different plants in your plot or at least move them to a new section of your plot. Test your soil’s profile for nutrients needed and for the correct pH. Add what you need and don’t waste money on what you do not need. Weed your plot and cover with a layer of mulch – not too much. Water as needed. It is best to water deeply and less frequently in order to encourage deep root growth. And, never forget to enjoy your plot! Take time to enjoy the smells and sights associated with a healthy garden. The pollinators and birds benefit from your efforts. I hope to see and talk with you at the garden!