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OCN > 2305 > High Altitude Nature and Gardening (HANG) – No mow May; planting in our mountain forest climes

High Altitude Nature and Gardening (HANG) – No mow May; planting in our mountain forest climes

By Janet Sellers

Habitat loss: bulldozers or lawns?

Lawns represent the single largest irrigated crop grown in the U.S. and are actually harmful to our ecosystem. Use of pesticides, herbicides, and toxins aside, monoculture lawns lack floral and nesting resources to support important myriad bees (the superfamily Apoidea, containing at least 5,700 species of bees).

Pollinators rely on us to help in May. The USDA Forest Service reported a study showing “that cutting the grass every two weeks resulted in significantly higher bee abundance. Less frequent mowing gives lawn flowers like dandelions and clover—this is where social pressure comes to bear—a little more time to grow and blossom, resulting in nourishment for bees.” Other studies showed that three-week intervals dramatically increased native pollinators and ecosystem health.

If we want something different in addition to our beloved pine forests of our environs, we need to plan for it with Mother Nature’s support.

Starting seeds indoors for a head start

I started seedlings in compostable clamshell containers that my muffins come in. It works great: add seedling mix, seeds, water, close the lid and in two weeks I had 5-inch sprouts. I made a mistake: I used compost. I had two seedlings out of 12 seeds planted. Two areas turned moldy; two were fine. I don’t know what caused the mold, but a seedling mix would have worked better.

Here’s the better way for our area:

  1. Start seeds with a seed-starting mix that has what you need for that purpose: coconut coir, peat moss, perlite, etc. for even moisture and some basic nutrients to get the seeds started. Loose, fluffy textures let the seeds emerge without clumps. The delicate sprouts need to stretch both up and down into the mix.
  2. Pot up (transplant) at 2-3 inches high to a bigger container of potting soil (it’s heavier, looser for airflow, and has more nutrients to support the baby plant). People use fancy pots, plant trays, or just rip holes in the soil bag for this stage of transplanting. Beware of tangled roots and gently separate the plants so they have their own space to grow. If they are too tangled, choose the stronger one to transplant. I usually try to save both—sometimes I can save most of them.
  3. Then wait for the outdoor weather to be warm enough to support the plants, usually by Memorial Day weekend. Many plants will be fine in larger pots, especially the fabric grow bags. Place outdoors after all danger of frost (Ask the weather forecasters!) right in the grow bags or in your prepared garden bed.

Janet Sellers, an avid “lazy gardener,” lets Mother Nature lead the way with Colorado high desert forest gardening. Contact her: JanetSellers@ocn.me.

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