Herbal Events at Madison Earth Care
More details coming soon...
“The dandelions and buttercups gild the lawn: the drowsy bee stumbles among the clover tops, and sweetens all to me.”
– James Russell Lowell
I was thrilled to see the white clover growing so beautifully today as I drove through the Route 79/Route 1 intersection in downtown Madison. White clover (Trifolium repens), also known as Dutch clover is growing in popularity as a lawn alternative and for good reason. If you are fortunate enough to have it growing in your lawn consider yourself lucky! Maybe you have some four leaf clovers waiting to be discovered.
White clover is not the undesirable weed that many people consider it to be but rather a charming beneficial addition to your lawn. It requires less water. It does not require fertilizer. In fact it is a nitrogen-fixing legume, a plant that essentially creates it’s own fertilizer. Grass that is intermixed with clover will be healthier and greener and require less care than grass planted alone. White clover should never be treated with an herbicide. It also requires less mowing, grows in poor soil and out competes other weeds. The best thing about white clover is that it is beneficial to pollinators like honey bees and parasitoid wasps which feed on aphids, scales, and whiteflies. These tiny wasps are harmless to humans.
If you have your heart set on a traditional American lawn, I encourage you to reconsider. This type of lawn serves a purpose but it does nothing towards bettering our ecosystem and environment. This requires a change of heart which is not easy I know. We take pride in our landscapes and manicured lawns. But you could be proud that your clover mix lawn has made a positive impact on our environment.
Melissa Blundon. CANP, AOLCP
Madison Earth Care | Phone: 203-421-4358
There is something about watching the birds fly to and fro that brings peace to our minds. And, of course, their melodies fill the air with a chorus of delightful birdsong. There can be disadvantages however, to keeping up with the bird feeders. Problems can arise with attracting rodents and squirrels. If we don’t properly clean our feeders we could actually be making the birds sick. I will always feed the birds regardless of these nuisances. But there are other ways to feed the birds that are more natural and more in keeping with the environment around us. In many ways, feeding the birds can be like feeding your soul!
How about letting your garden feed the birds?
There are many plants that can be incorporated into your landscape that can attract and feed birds as well as pollinators and butterflies. It is hard to choose just a sampling to recommend but I’ve narrowed down a list here of some of my favorites.
Trees – Amelanchier (serviceberry), Cercis Canadensis (redbud), Cornus Florida (dogwood)
Evergreen shrubs to provide protection – Buxus (boxwood), Arborvitae, Ilex glabra
Shrubs to provide food – Ilex Verticillata (winterberry), Ilex meserveae (holly), Aronia (chokecherry), Vaccinnium (blueberry), Viburnum, Sambucus Canadensis (elderberry)
Perennials –Echinacea (cone flower), Rudbeckia (black eyed susan), Monarda (beebalm), Sedum (stonecrop), Eupatorium (joe pye weed), Liatris (blazing star)
Annuals – Sunflowers, Cosmos, Zinnias
Grasses – Pennisetum (fountain grass), Panicum (switch grass)
When planning your gardens this season try some of these plants if you want to attract birds. Feeding the birds can be fun and rewarding! Let your garden feed the birds and the birds feed your soul!
-Melissa Blundon- CANP, ALOCP
Madison Earth Care | Phone: 203-421-4358
Handmade & Locally Made Gifts – Creativity & Nature’s Finest
Despite our focus on handmade and locally made gifts, we are still able to carry the perfect gift for anyone on your list!
Whether you are looking for tools and top of the line outdoor goodies for dad, the perfect hostess gift for a friend, the perfect piece of jewelry for that special someone or some pampering products for mom, we have something for everyone! So treat yourself or a loved on with one of our many gifts made by local artists and companies and artisans from cultures around the world based on Fair Trade practices.
Stop in and check out some of our wonderful products, including Mantraband bracelets, handmade jewelry from South and South East Asia, Higganum Candle Company, Cheshire Bee Farm and Blooming Lotus candles, Wild Sage Apothecary and For Teas Sake teas, Bee Happy and Cheshire Bee Farm goods made from all natural bees products, Cheshire Frame Company picture frames, Haphazard Glass handblown glass flowers and vases,Library of Flowers lotions and perfumes, Foxgloves sun hats and garden gloves and much more are available in our Garden Center.
Let us create a gift package something truly special for you. Call ahead and we’ll have it ready for you to pick up. 🙂
Call 203-421-4358
Giving Green a Chance for 45 Years – Madison Earth Care