We have been busy preparing our gardens for winter! On our recent work day, our amazing volunteers and student workers teamed up with Allison and Eliza to finish mulching the Secret Garden. In addition to its benefits for the soil, mulch helps insulate plants for the cold season. We also mulched a remaining area in the Lower Courtyard after prepping it by digging trenches around the edges to catch runoff and laying down some biodegradable weed barrier (thanks Nell for your help)!
We also completed planting the ferns and moss that had been rescued earlier this season. Our student helpers are so happy about how this section of the garden turned out! As we continue tending it, we look forward to watching the moss and ferns become more established and flourish over time. Check out our last post here for more about our process for this area.
Another project we started earlier this season is lavender propagation! The lavender shrub in the Secret Garden had grown over the pathway, making access difficult. Eliza pruned the overgrown branches and rescued viable clippings for planting with the help of our volunteers. Lavender propagates well from cuttings, and we used a rooting powder to help the stems develop roots and minimize rot.
On our work day, we brought the lavender pots to the sunniest location in the Secret Garden. After nestling the pots into the mulch to insulate the roots, we created a miniature “greenhouse” using salvaged materials–wire and clear plastic sheeting–to give the lavender some protection from the cold weather while still allowing sunlight through. Allison did an amazing job with the assembly!
To prepare further for an upcoming cold snap, Eliza used mulch and leaf litter to nestle around our new plantings this week, mimicking the natural insulation that young plants receive on the forest floor. Perennials planted in the fall haven’t had as long to become established, so they benefit from a layer of insulation to protect their roots through the winter. For additional protection, Eliza will ensure that plants are sufficiently watered throughout the winter, as moisture helps retain heat in the soil.
Thanks for following our progress, and stay tuned for more garden updates!
