An Innate Connection

by Stacey Haag

April is Earth Month, a time to consciously ponder our planet, the ways in which it sustains us, and the efforts we can put forth to repair and protect it. I don't need to convince a group of gardeners how important our planet is, nor explain the deep connection to it that many of us feel.

The wonder and inspiration many of us derive from gardens is an innate psychological lifeline reaching far back into our history. There are complex reasons as to why we feel grounded by soil and hopeful at the sight of seedlings.

Science has proven that gardening has numerous positive effects on our physical and mental health, even recognized by the National Institutes of Health. Plants go beyond aesthetics; they, quite literally, give us breath and sustenance.

Recently, the Smithsonian collaborated with USA Today to publish a special garden guide that highlights the Smithsonian Gardens' role as an integral part of the Smithsonian’s research, display, and educational programs. This publication, a joint effort between educators and gardeners, explores the relationship between humans and botany. And they are offering it to you for free in honor of Earth Month.

You can read and download your copy of the Smithsonian's Human/Nature guide here.

Tuesday, April 22 is Earth Day. Make an extra effort to be a good steward of the Earth on that day, but don't forget that it is prolonged commitment that really makes a difference. When you plant and maintain your gardens, remember to make choices that benefit the planet and the generations who will inherit it from us.

Learn from and volunteer with these local organizations that are putting good stewardship into action...

Centennial Park Conservancy

Cumberland River Compact

Tennessee Environmental Council

Hands On Nashville

The Nashville Mayor's Office

Native Plant Month, You Say?

by Stacey Haag

In addition to Earth Month, April is also National Native Plant Month. Native plants are those species that have existed in a particular region or ecosystem for thousands of years. They have formed symbiotic relationships with the native wildlife, providing food, habitat, and support. Native species, both flora and fauna, are kept in check by a balance of local conditions, including other species and climate.

Why not make a pledge to research and plant more natives in your landscape this spring? A helpful place to start your research is UT Hort's Native Plant Database. This easy-to-browse tool lists 618 Tennessee native plants by category, including ferns, flowers, grasses/sedges, shrubs, trees, and vines.

Join Our Three Sisters Gardening Group!

by Kathy Doss

Are you a Robertson County Master Gardener or Master Gardener Intern looking to get involved in the Highland Rim Demo Garden? If so, we invite you to join our Three Sisters gardening group.

The Three Sisters method is a Native American companion planting technique that combines corn, beans, and squash to create a low-maintenance vegetable garden. We use no-till, organic gardening methods.

Our approach is simple and collaborative:

• We occasionally gather to tend the garden but primarily work according to our individual schedules, notifying the group if extra help is needed.
• We share ideas and make decisions as a team.

Last year, our garden had limited success due to a serious squash bug infestation and a late-summer drought that devastated our squash crop. However, we are committed to learning from these challenges and improving our methods.

If you're interested in learning more about the three sisters method, check out the June 2023 Leaflet. If you are interested in joining our group, contact me at toprocktn@gmail.com—we’d love to hear from you.

Show off your favorite native by submitting a photo and description here! Your native could become part of the 2025 Tennessee Smart Yards Photo Map!

Recipe Corner

It won't be long until peaches begin ripening in Tennessee. And when they do, you can thank Michelle Hollingsworth for sharing her family's recipe for Easy Peach Cobbler.

It's almost tour time in Tennessee! Dates for the 2025 UT Extension Master Gardener regional tours have been announced and are fast approaching. Keep an eye out for registration to open soon. New "Office Hours" Zoom talks have been scheduled and new horticulture extension publications have been released. Find all of this and more... here!