Hello Horticulture Volunteers,
Welcome back to the Gardens friends! Spring flowers are starting to bloom, tulips have popped, and it’s almost time to start growing annuals! Spring has officially arrived, as have the newest additions to our Volunteer Team! A warm welcome to our new Horticulture Volunteers who will be joining us in the gardens and at Bowyer. We look forward to working with you!
Here’s what to expect as our season ramps up:
- Spring cleanup – cutting back perennials & grasses, raking leaves, & mulching bare spots. We will be especially thorough in areas that will be highlighted at our Twilight ‘N Tulips Fundraising Event.
- Annual Plug Potting – annuals will arrive at the beginning of April. We will be potting these at the offsite greenhouse throughout the month. Please check the hotline message for potting days and adhere to the guidelines for getting to the offsite facility as listed on page 10 of your horticulture handbook. Remember, if you have never been to the greenhouse before or do not remember how to get there, you must follow a zoo vehicle. Instructions for doing so will be indicated in the hotline message/email.
- Nursery Unpacking & Set Up – as the weather warms up, we’ll need to move our nursery stock out of the quonsets and into their summer homes. Preparing for annuals to arrive onsite at the beginning of May.
- Spring plug potting – potting any perennial plugs that arrive during the spring.
Save the Dates:
- First Thursday Education Session – Maple Syrup – Thursday, April 4 – 12:30pm to 2pm – Safari Lodge
- Gardening For Wildlife Station Training – Date & Location TBA
- Tunes ‘N Blooms – Thursday Evenings in April
- Twilight ‘N Tulips – Tuesday, April 16 – 5:30pm to 8:30 pm – Location TBA (Tickets available online)
- First Thursday Education Session – Herbal Medicine – Thursday, May 2 – 12:30pm to 2pm – Safari Lodge
See you in the Greenery!
Tosh Dobias
Horticulturist