OIGC March 2022 Newsletter

THE ISLAND GARDENER

March ~ 2022

VISIT OUR WEBSITE

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

Welcome to the month of March -- when our clocks "spring forward" and the Spring Equinox heralds a time of new growth and renewal in the natural world. On the equinox, the length of day and night is nearly equal in all parts of the world -- a sobering reminder to me this year that equality in other areas of life is sadly not a given. This year on our part of the globe, Spring officially begins at around 8:30 am on Sunday, March 20th, after which the northern hemisphere will begin tilting more toward the sun.

Increasing sunlight inspires birds to sing and many of our feathered friends are joining us again after their winter away, which gave our newsletter team the idea of focusing on HUMMINGBIRDS this month. We offer a book review, a couple of video recommendations, info on species we might see in our gardens, suggestions for creating hummer-friendly habitat, a list of plants hummers are attracted to, and an account of one islander's relationship with her hummers. I imagine many of us are mesmerized by these tiny dynamos of the sky and that there's always one more interesting tidbit to be learned about them.

The Clear Spring Shadows

by Aleksandr Kryushyn

Poltava, Poltava Region, Ukraine

When you've had enough of hummingbirds, you can delight in Helen's recipes and story, learn about growing Pacific Madrones from seed, about a Citizen Science project involving Western redcedars, and read through Part II of the wonderful report about the variety of greenhouses found in yards and gardens on Orcas.

It's hard to contain our excitement as the temperatures begin to warm our bones as well as the soil where we are starting to plant our seeds and little starts in anticipation of the season ahead.

Happy Gardening! Happy Spring!

Nita Couchman

OIGC President

CLICK HERE to send us your comments, questions, photos, gardening stories, and newsletter ideas. Tell us how we’re doing. We are eager to hear from you!!!

MARCH 16 (Weds.) @ 10:30 am via Zoom

The Orcas Island and

Lopez Island Garden Clubs

present . . . .

EMILY ARING

GARDENING IN SAN JUAN COUNTY FOR

HEALTHIER AND HAPPIER

PEOPLE, PLANTS, AND LAND

Read MORE about this presentation

UPCOMING VIRTUAL OIGC PROGRAMS

LORNA'S DRIFTWOOD NURSERY IS OPEN

It's true -- Lorna's DRIFTWOOD NURSERY is open! Lovely spring flowering plants lined the tables in the yard last Friday as shoppers wandered around admiring and making selections-- reminded me of seeing kids in a candy shop.

Hours through March will be 10 am to 5 pm, Tuesday through Saturday. Check back in April for extended hours which will be dependent on the weather.

LET'S GROW TOGETHER ~ GARDEN TOUR 2022

JUNE 25 and JUNE 26

by Sally Hodson & Laura Walker

Gardeners are some of the most optimistic people you’ll meet. When winter’s harsh winds blow, temperatures plummet and snow blankets the landscape, gardeners are busy choosing new seeds to buy and dreaming about which new plants to add to their gardens. Always hopeful, gardeners are ready to welcome spring as soon as the first snowdrops and daffodils emerge.

As we wait for temperatures to rise and for the hummingbirds, butterflies and bees to fertilize our gardens, we can look forward to the 2022 Garden Tour on June 25th and 26th. Once again, we’ll showcase a variety of lovely island gardens that feature interesting plants, creative garden designs and unique features that we can learn about and recreate in our own gardens.

WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH -- Honoring OIGC Women

Orcas Island Garden Club members in 1960

With March being Women's History Month, it seems a good time to acknowledge and celebrate some of the remarkable women who have contributed so much to make the OIGC the vibrant club it is today. Our Honorary Members are an elite list of women who have been vital to our success. It includes strong leaders, tireless workers, collaborators and visionaries. Please join us in expressing our appreciation and thanks to the following women:

Kate Adams

Michelle Barach

Judy Evans

Sara Hennessey

Sally Hodson

Dianne Jordan

Heidi Lindbergh

Hazel O'Brien

Margaret Payne

Emily Reid

Barbara Trunkey

Marlyn Myers

HUMMINGBIRDS

FOR YOUR READING PLEASURE

Reviewed by Perri Gibbons

Buzzed on Hummers

Masear shares her passion for rescuing hummingbirds and tales of rehabilitation. Her job description seems part heroic, part insane. I was stressed just trying to keep my feeder unfrozen for a few days during our recent cold snaps. Imagine having 70 birds who need feeding every 30 minutes and taking four to six weeks per bird! The book unites us in rooting for these beautiful air jewels.

And, I did learn a lot about hummingbirds; my family and friends grew tired of me sharing the fascinating trivia I picked up. For example, did you know that hummingbirds need protein to thrive? Some of their amazing acrobatic flying skills help them capture that most annoying of critters, the hovering fruit fly. But, it's the stories that make this book so special. There's humor, heartbreak and all the drama you might expect from these tiny birds with oversized personalities. A book for the mind and heart, this one might get you buzzing as well. Available at the Orcas Island Library.

WELCOMING HUMMINGBIRDS INTO OUR GARDENS

by Laura Walker

It’s a cold crisp day in December. Standing under a small row of madrone trees in my garden nicknamed the ‘Three Sisters,’ I hear the familiar trill of a hummingbird overhead. Squinting, I spotted the little bird on a branch. From experience, I know it’s keenly aware of my presence. Performing its usual dance, darting straight up into the sky, it hovered for a moment and then dove straight down to eye level right in front of me as if to say hello, then sped over to the nearby feeder. That routine always makes me smile. During the flowerless days of the year, this feeder has become its lifeline until the first spring plants bloom. I feel honored that these little ones trust me for their care year-round. It’s a responsibility that I’m committed to.

For many of us, Spring is an exciting time when we begin to see the return of the tiny dancer hummingbirds. And for some like me, it’s a sigh of relief. The weather is finally beginning to warm and it concludes a stressful few months of trying to keep the birds alive that decided to stay the winter.

Russel Barsh, Director of Kwiaht, a nonprofit conservation biology laboratory in and for the San Juan Islands, stated, “Only two species -- Rufous, and Anna's -- are known to frequent our area (San Juan, Skagit, Island counties). Both species summer and nest here, but Anna's are also beginning to spend winters here, a very risky gamble for these tiny birds, but likely to gain momentum as our winters continue to grow warmer, on average."

Anna’s is the largest hummingbird on the west coast, about 4 inches long. It weighs less than a nickel. A glimpse of that iridescent throat can take your breath away in the right light.

The Rufous name refers to the reddish-brown colors this aggressive little bird displays. Its trip to San Juan Island may have involved flying over a thousand miles, the longest of any US hummingbird.

Gardens play such an important role in supporting hummingbirds that decide to stay year-round. This requires dedication on the part of the gardener to provide a friendly habitat that has their needs in mind. Read on for how you can help.

SHELTER AND NESTING

Hummingbirds prefer to nest near a ready supply of nectar and other food. To encourage these little gems to nest in your yard, Russel suggests that hummers prefer tall erect shrubs, thickets and trees, and the taller the better where they can seek protective cover and shade, especially around the edges of your yard. They build their tiny, expandable nests on tree limbs and other small horizontal surfaces, often constructing them from lichens and spider webs.

PERCHES

Survey your landscape and make sure you have plenty of safe places for hummingbirds to rest and sleep in your yard. They love to perch for rest or survey their territory. Provide spots in the open as well as protected areas, hidden from view and buffered from any cooler overnight temperatures.

WATER

Hummingbirds love and need water. A gentle continuous spray from a garden hose or sprinkler is enticing for these miniature birds and if you’re lucky enough, they will come by to delight you with a play in the water. Within your garden, provide a constant clean source of water from a drip fountain attachment or a fine misting device.

INSECTS & OTHER FOOD SOURCES

Hummingbirds expend so much energy that they must eat at least half their body weight each day to replace the calories that they burn up. Backyard feeders provide supplemental food with nectar critical to their survival, especially during fall and spring migration.

Hummingbirds need protein from pollen and insects to maintain their bodies and grow new feathers. Like swifts, hummingbirds are agile hunters and can snatch small insects from the air, off of leaves and contained in spider webs. Eliminate pesticides and provide native plants to support a greater concentration of insects and spiders to promote a healthy ecosystem in your yard.

Brightly-colored flowers that are tubular hold the most nectar, and are particularly attractive to hummingbirds. According to Russel, “Red-flowering currants are an important early spring food resource for hummingbirds, as are salmonberries and the orange honeysuckle (Lonicera ciliosa); they can be very useful in helping Anna's over-winter, and helping Rufous get an early start on nests. So those three native shrubs are strongly recommended for hummingbird support. I've also often seen hummers mob Madrones (Arbutus) when it flowers in summer--this is an oft overlooked resource for nectar-loving birds and bees.” See other suggested plants in the Hummingbird Support article.

Russel continued to share that elderberries, including our native blue elderberry, provide great summer food for hummingbirds too, as well as for other birds and small native mammals. In fact, he shared that he was currently building hedgerows of these plants around his yard for that reason.

Now that you have some ideas on how to create an environment to welcome these little birds, explore your yard, plant some hummer favorites and hang a feeder or two! If you enjoy citizen science, get involved by logging your sightings with the Audubon Society’s bird count each year. Keep your nectar supply fresh for them and happy birding!

https://sanjuanislander.com/opinion/columnists/nature-notebook-by-susan-vernon/16506/hummingbirds-of-winter

FOR YOUR VIEWING PLEASURE

Reviewed by Nita Couchman

In 2016, the PBS program NATURE aired an episode titled SUPER HUMMINGBIRDS. Using the latest in video and recording technologies, this program reveals more about hummingbirds than had previously been documented. Though small in size, these tiny birds continue to capture our attention with their aerial acrobatics, their shimmering beauty, and their feisty behaviors. They are definitely miracles with wings.

WATCH ON PBS

Another fascinating video about hummingbirds is available at the Orcas Island Public Library titled First Flight: a Mother Hummingbird's Story. This is the story of a black-chinned hummingbird in Las Vegas who built her nest on a clothesline in the backyard of a team of documentary filmmakers who couldn't pass up the opportunity to observe and film the story of one tiny feathered family.

VISIT THE LIBRARY'S WEBSITE

THE HUMMINGBIRD WHISPERER:

A Perspective from Orcas resident Sarah McCulloch

Interviewed by Helen Huber

This is my fifth year of having two hummingbird feeders. Everything about them is appealing and fascinating to me. Since a few of the birds have wintered over, I realize there’s a relationship between us, particularly when I’m changing the feeder. When birds come up to you in nature, you’re stepping into a world where you’re their guest.

Every time I replenish the feeders, I examine and clean them. Because I only keep one in the winter, I put the other one in the dishwasher and then rinse it when it is clean. (You can also hand wash them with a bottle brush making sure to rinse well.) Make sure you buy a feeder that can be taken apart. If I ever see black mold, I make a solution of 1 part bleach to ten parts water. The key is rinsing well after every cleaning so there’s no residue, bleach, or soap.

If I have bees around the feeder, they are usually more thirsty and more interested in the water than the hummingbird solution. I always have a pan of clear, clean water underneath the feeders. The feeders leak and it drips into the pan below (which both protects the deck and sweetens the water slightly to make it more appealing to the bees.)

To make the solution for the feeders, I use one cup of sugar to 4 cups of water. The birds have come to know they will have ample food here.

My recommendations for people interested in having hummingbird feeders is to start with one or two. Look for black mold and keep your feeders clean. If you know it's going to be freezing, bring your feeder(s) in. The birds get hungry at first light so making sure the feeder is full at night will ensure they can drink when they first wake up.

Hummingbirds will tell you what they like or don’t like. We know they are attracted to the color red. Don’t use dye to make the water red. But you can use red to attract them. I have red flowers (geraniums). I prefer a glass feeder with a red plastic landing section, where they sip.

It's fun to maintain the feeders and watch the birds. If you can be still and calm, after a while they won’t mind you being there. As soon as you move, they’ll scatter. They’re like pets to me, and I see caring for them as a delightful responsibility. I created this habitat and I follow through with them. They in turn bring me so much joy.

For more information about hummingbird joy follow these links:

https://www.audubon.org/content/how-create-hummingbird-friendly-yard

https://www.birdsandblooms.com/birding/attracting-hummingbirds/13-jaw-dropping-facts-about-hummingbirds/

https://www.beautyofbirds.com/hummingbirdswashingtonstate.html

PLANTS THAT NATURALLY SUPPORT HUMMINGBIRDS AND A MEDICINAL ONE AS WELL!

by Laura Walker

Special thanks to those of you that care for our special little friends with feeders, but nectar-rich plants are their favorite. By planting diverse varieties of flowers that bloom in different months, you can provide an uninterrupted supply of nectar for the hummingbirds and keep them continuously interested in your yard.

Here’s a list of flowering plants that attract hummingbirds. I took inventory and found twelve in my garden! How many do you have?

Penstemon ~ Beard tongue
Monarda ~ Bee balm
Buddleia ~ Butterfly bush
Nepeta ~ Catmint
Dianthus ~ Clove pink
Aquilegia ~ Columbine
Heuchera ~ Coral bells
Hemerocallis ~ Daylily
Lonicera ciliosa ~ Orange honeysuckle
Delphinium ~ Larkspur
Yucca ~ Desert candle
Sambucus ~ Elderberry
Iris ~ Iris
Tanacetum parthenium 'Aureum' ~ Golden feverfew
Nicotiana alata ~ Flowering tobacco

Digitalis ~ Foxglove
Ribes sanguineum ~ Red flowering currant
Lilium ~ Lily
Pentas ~ Pentas
Petunia ~ Petunia
Scabiosa ~ Pincushion flower
Kniphofia ~ Red-hot poker
Rubus spectabilis ~ Salmonberry
Salvia splendens ~ Scarlet sage
Lonicera sempervirens ~ Scarlet trumpet honeysuckle
Saponaria ~ Soapwort
Pholox paniculate ~ Summer phlox
Verbena ~ Verbena
Weigela ~ Weigela

Source: The Old Farmer’s 2022 Almanac, ‘Plants that Attract Hummingbirds’

Let’s dive into one plant in particular that happens to have some wonderful medicinal properties – the beloved Bee balm!

Monarda’s long history as a healing herb is reflected in its common name, Bee balm. The plant was named for the Spanish physician and botanist Dr. Nicolas Monardes of Seville Spain. Monardes wrote the first herbal book about botanicals from the New World, Joyful News – Botany of the New World (North America). Called by the common names of bee balm, horsemint and bergamot, it’s part of the mint family, identifiable by square-shaped stems.

Monarda didyma, or scarlet bee balm can be found commonly in garden perennial beds and has red flowers.

Monarda fistulosa, or wild bergamot, the wild version native to the United States, has lavender, pink, or white flowers.

Both M. didyma and M. fistulosa are two of the most popular species among the seventeen species and over fifty cultivars of the plant. Both species are edible and medicinal and have similar properties. They also both grow readily from seed. In the language of flowers, Monarda symbolizes compassion and sympathy.

MEDICINAL PROPERTIES OF BEE BALM

Bee balm is antimicrobial and soothing, so it’s often used to treat colds and flu. It also has a soothing effect on the digestive tract and helps to treat indigestion, bloating and nausea.

Externally, it’s used to treat scrapes, stings and rashes. Bee balm is also nervine and has a gentle calming effect on the nervous system, similar to lemon balm. It’s used to treat anxiety and stress, especially in sensitive patients like children.

Individual petals of bee balm flowers pull out easily and can be dried to make a beautiful bright red tea. In season, petals can also be used to add color, nutrition and flavor to salads. The crystallized flowers can be made ahead (and stored in airtight containers) and used as decorations on cakes. Monarda sugar on scones and cookies gives them a special touch.

https://practicalselfreliance.com/using-bee-balm/

https://theherbalacademy.com/benefits-of-bee-balm-monarda-fistulosa-and-m-didyma

Disclaimer — While the Orcas Island Garden Club shares information about using essential oils, natural oils, and herbs, these items are not regulated by the FDA. The content included in these monthly medicinal features are for those who are looking for alternative ways to lead a more natural lifestyle. You must not rely on the information in these articles as an alternative to medical advice from your doctor, healthcare provider, or other professional.

GROWING PACIFIC MADRONE FROM SEED

by Tony Suruda

The Pacific Madrone Arbutus menziesii is the signature evergreen of the coastal Pacific Northwest. The red berries are edible and a food source for birds and other wildlife. The bark can be used to make herbal tea. It’s a beautiful tree year round.

The seedling in the photo was grown using berries picked from the ground at the Eastsound dog park in late October. After rinsing off dog urine and separating seeds from fruit pulp, the seeds were placed in the fridge on a moist paper towel in a plastic bag. By January, the seeds were beginning to germinate and were sowed in potting soil under an LED grow light. When the first pair of leaves appeared, the seedlings were potted up into a mixture of sand and cactus mix. After eight weeks they had four sets of true leaves.

Madrone do not tolerate root disturbance, so take care when planting seedlings. If the Master Gardeners hold a perennial sale in May, there should be a few madrone available.

SPRING DELIGHT

by Helen Huber

The delights of spring began with snowdrops at 85 Sunnyside Lane, my childhood home. The same succession of flowers appeared each and every year. My dad had never done any gardening or planting until our family moved to the suburbs where snowdrops, Red Emperor tulips, then wax begonias filled the box/bench by the front door.

Apparently I missed the planting of the various bulbs and later, the insertion of the begonias. The spring I was ten, I was left at home while my parents were out. I had just bought some seeds and I planned to surprise my folks with something new! I followed the directions on the seed packets and dug up the soil, loosening it as directed on the packet. But what were these tan chunks buried in the soil? I quickly put them in the trash and planted the seeds.

Needless to say, Dad recovered and replanted the bulbs and the flowers never appeared even though I had followed the directions exactly! I still am excited to plant the seeds of spring, and to eat the first produce of the season.

I hope these early spring treats spark your own memories of spring and all the goodness to come.

~ Helen Huber

RADISH & GOAT CHEESE FARRO SALAD BOWL

SPRING PEA SOUP

CITIZEN SCIENCE OPPORTUNITY :

Western redcedar dieback

Allison O'Sullivan (daughter of OIGC members Evangeline & Terry O'Sullivan) is a certified arborist and a certified tree assessor, who noticed dieback in her area, and on further investigation discovered this citizen science opportunity, and wrote a research paper about the impacts of drought on Western redcedars.

Forestry scientists as well as concerned citizens like Allison have noted that western redcedars are in decline across the Pacific Northwest. Although some seasonal browning is normal, dieback is identified by dead treetops, brown canopy, and thinning foliage.

In an attempt to gather more information about the range and extent of diebacks, Forest Health Watch has created a program in which everyday citizens are asked to contribute first-hand observations to the pilot research project. Their goals are to "identify vulnerable areas and discover solutions to the cultural legacy of the redcedar." ( foresthealth.org/redcedar/ )

To learn more about the Forest Watch program, the western redcedar project, and how you can get involved, visit the Forest Health Watch website.

READ Allison's Paper

A LITERARY MOMENT

Femme dans un jardin

by Vincent van Gogh

BELOVED

by Ethelbert Miller

Please forgive me for forgetting.

I wanted to go outside and look for you.

I was told this was impossible.

I was instructed to stay indoors.

But my words for you need sun.

My heart needs air.

I love you Spring.

I miss your warmth.

Come unlock my door.

GREENHOUSES, Part II ... Covering More Ground

by Perri Gibbons & Laura Walker

This month, we’re continuing to showcase examples of the many structures gardeners are using to extend their growing season on Orcas.

Of particular interest, we surveyed some participants to get a sense of what’s happening right now in early March. Here's what they had to say:

“I sow tomato seeds in trays covered with plastic wrap. This is similar to the way Carol Miles at WSU Mt. Vernon does it. Once seedlings appear I remove the plastic wrap and after a few days transplant them into four inch pots under LED grow lights. When the soil temperature in the greenhouse is 60 degrees in early April I'll transplant the seedlings there. Last year Sun Gold cherry tomatoes were ripe on June 15”.

“I use my greenhouse primarily for starting flower and veggie seeds, in early March. I have better germination rates using the greenhouse, and I am able to create orderly rows with good spacing by using home-grown transplants. Also save $$ by creating my own starts”.

“I don’t start tomato seeds until March because I only want to pot them up once before they go into the garden. This saves me on potting soil costs. I start two seeds in six cell trays , then transplant them into 4 inch pots”.

SCHOOL GARDEN'S PLANT CATHEDRAL

You’ll find this beauty on the Orcas Island School grounds, as part of their Farm-to-Cafeteria program. Note the lovely cypress wood arches -- no wonder they call it the Plant Cathedral.

Colleen says:

“The greenhouse is a critical tool for starting seeds and growing heat-loving plants in the Pacific Northwest. The kids help us sow the first seeds of spring in the greenhouse and they tend the plants and snack on the produce within. They always seem fascinated with the dramatic change in temperature, which is a lesson in itself!

The Garden Club contributed a grant towards the construction of this greenhouse.

*** GARDEN TOUR 2022 ***

EMMY'S COLD FRAME

A cold frame is a transparent outdoor frame that protects plants from cold weather while still letting sunlight in. This means your plants get natural sunlight and extra warmth.

Currently, Emmy is growing hardy annuals planted last fall as well as bulbs and corms. She’s starting perennial seeds and slow growing annuals under grow lights indoors.

CANDACE'S SMALL KIT GREENHOUSE

Candace’s greenhouse has translucent polycarbonate which helps protect plants from the sun. She plans to add roof shades which can be lowered in the summer and removed in the fall.