Our Earth Day Takeaways
We celebrated Earth Day in the garden this year, hosting special�programming by the Clemson Extension Master Gardeners and welcoming�the fabulous folks from SCETV�s Making it Grow for a unique �Unplugged��panel discussion.
Having so much knowledge �in the house� proved beneficial to all of us, no�matter our gardening know how, or lack thereof.
Here are some of the top takeaways we got from the crew:
Dial back the tidy! Our master gardeners presented two sessions on creating�a pollinator garden. Pollinators � bees, birds and others � prefer an�environment that feels natural, versus well manicured. Plenty of audience�members grinned sheepishly, admitting they get a bit too zealous about�taming the tangle in their yards.
Use tools wisely: Amanda McNulty, beloved hostess of Making it Grow,�had the crowd in stitches numerous times, thanks to her warm, natural�humor. She also had us taking plenty of notes, including tips about the top�tools for gardeners. Amanda wields a dry wall saw against weeds in the�garden. She also uses a maddox tool to cut through sod and compressed soil�(which she demonstrated while seated on the ground, because that�s easier�on the back than stooping). And finally, she advocated for a good pair of�hand pruners, kept sharp. �After all, if you were having surgery, you�d want�the doctor to use clean, sharp tools. The same is true for our plants!� she�said.
Keep it real: Just because a plant is available at your local garden center,�that doesn�t mean you should buy it. Forcing non-native or plants that aren�t�well adapted into your landscape can cause you to work harder than you�should to keep it alive. Know your zones, and plant accordingly. Finally,�soil testing is key to success, as one yard can exhibit a range of types. Pro�Tip: Our Master Gardeners at Summers Corner can collect soil samples on�site, once the results are back from the lab, the MGs can help interpret the�results.
If you missed the Unplugged panel, never fear: Making it Grow will air a�special segment about Summers Corner later this summer. So stay tuned.
And hopefully, we�ll be successful getting Amanda and crew back in our�garden sometime soon!
Interested in learning more about our community in the garden?�Start your tour at Corner House Caf� + Information. Or view homes for sale here in Summerville, SC online.
