Earthstar Gardening

11/19/2024

This incredible natural phenomenon exists on Lake Superior, which is the largest freshwater lake in the world. Within this massive lake lies Isle Royale, a large island surrounded by the clear waters of Lake Superior. But the story doesn’t stop there. On Isle Royale, there is another smaller lake called Siskiwit Lake. Inside Siskiwit Lake, there is yet another island, known as Ryan Island, and on this island, there is a small pond that holds a little boulder.

When the pond on Ryan Island floods, this boulder essentially becomes the smallest "island" on what could be considered the most layered island setting in the world. It’s an island within a lake, on an island within another lake, on the largest island in the largest freshwater lake on the planet. This layered structure is a fascinating example of how complex and unexpected nature can be. It’s like a natural nesting doll, showcasing the wonder of our world’s geography in a simple, yet mind-bending way.

09/01/2024

Fall is coming!!! Time to harvest and maintain.

06/20/2023

We’re cooking up some amazing recipes for gardening success with the help of Jobber Grants and partnerships with multi-faith and nonprofit conservation activists throughout AACO and Baltimore City!

Shout out to all our hardworking and dedicated teammates that keep the boots on the ground and the papers in the vaults.
And thank you to the dreamers and the seekers that inspire us to ground the magic of our natural surroundings one step at a time!

http://aawsa.org/

https://unitygardens.org/grant-information/

https://incarnationbmore.org/

https://www.baltimoretreetrust.org/

Identify, train, & support citizens to become Master Watershed Stewards who take action with their neighbors to restore local waterways in Anne Arundel County

08/28/2022

Anyone like foraging? How about foraging in your backyards?

Pawpaw (Asimina triloba) fruits ripening. Photo: Deana Karras One of our most frequently asked questions in the developing orchard at the Baltimore County Master Gardeners’ Demonstration Garden may…

06/24/2022

https://www.baltimorecountymd.gov/departments/environment/forestsandtrees/landscapes.html

Find more information about forests and trees.

06/14/2022

06/14/2022

Hey y’all! However unpredictable a spring season it’s been, this is a time to celebrate the things we have accomplished with native and beneficial plants and helping restore our balance with the food-webs. The landscape is in full bloom, and thanks to the support of so many beautiful people and thriving gardens, I will be able to take a little summer hiatus to attend to myself, and my family. I hope everyone can escape the heat and I’m looking forward to returning to the garden and listening to our many observations as witnesses of nature’s constant formation of our surroundings.

Sincerely,
Emma

03/11/2022

FREE NATIVE TREE - GIVEAWAY!
Like or comment and you will be entered in a raffle for a free tree.

The winner will get a win a free native tree of their choosing, delivered and cooperatively planted within their yard or community. *

Planting any of these native 'key-species' trees will sustain moths and butterflies, the incredible family of insects called Lepidoptera, who pollinate native plants and are a primary food source for hundreds of species of birds and other animals.

Native trees species that will fit in any yard from small to large:

Hamamelis Virginica, also called Witch Hazel, Hosts 108 species of Lepidoptera, is a medicinal native tree to eastern understory woodlands, has beautiful foliage and a smaller stature, blooms in winter, handles dry-wet soils and part-full sun.

Pinus Strobis, aka White Pine, Hosts 200 species of Lepidoptera grows well among windbreaks, larger lawns, or sunny privacy screens. Handles poor soil and drought, as well as decreases erosion.

Acer Saccharinum, Hosts 238 species of Lepidoptera, a well-known shade tree, Silver Maple, is an excellent tree for a spacious area in need of a beautiful centerpiece that will contribute valuable leaf mulch for the surrounding gardens and fix nitrogen while providing shelter and firewood.

Corylus Avellana , Hosts 108 species of Lepidoptera, is also named for it's fruiting capsule, or nut, the Hazelnut. The hazelnut grows like a 10-15 ft multistemmed tree, useful in windbreaks, hedgerows or garden courtyards and needs minimal care to establish in a variety of landscapes while providing a staple food crop for animals.

*Sorry, this give-away excludes anyone on the West coast or multiple hours outside the central Baltimore region. I'll get you guys back ;)

02/24/2022

Had a fantastic day designing and installing a pollinator garden for a local backyard beekeeper. The plants are still dormant, and spring rains are imminent, perfect gardening season.