Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Wetlands Plantings & Healthy Vegetables, Bylane Farm, Katonah, Saturday May 16


Wetlands Plantings & Healthy Vegetables
Bylane Farm, Saturday May 16, 10-2

The Bedford Audubon Society invites you to come learn how to use native plants as buffers around your pond and wetlands and how to grow healthy vegetables in your garden in a bird-friendly way. Demonstrations will take place at Bedford Audubon's Bylane Farm, 35 Todd Road, Katonah between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on May 16.
Bedford Audubon and N.Y. State Department of Conservation staff will demonstrate how to plant and protect native plants along wetland buffers.

Planting buffers is a low-cost way to increase your recreational and property values, since native plants grown around ponds and wetlands can reduce water pollution from fertilizers and pesticides, reduce algae growth, discourage Canada geese, and lower lawn care expenses while benefiting wildlife. Also learn how to grow your own delicious, pesticide-free vegetables in a bird-friendly way as Master Gardeners and volunteers demonstrate pot making, seed starting, transplanting and companion planting--pairing of vegetables that help each other grow--all done with an eye toward increasing the biodiversity of our backyards.
Admission to both events are free.
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A word from Jim: "The pretty butterfly we saw flitting around the garden last Thursday was a Spring Azure (Celastrina argiolus). Found in scrub habitats in the spring and early summer only, they like wet mud and nectar from dogwoods and viburnums. So this individual was a very smart Azure because he or she knew just where it belonged."


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