Full Moon Madness Meets Fall Planting Season in this Edition of News from the Cactus Patch
August 30, 2023
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Dazzling Array of Wicked Awesome New England Native Plants (and some Pollinator Friendly Gems) Currently Available | |
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Currently in stock are more than 200 varieties of Shrubs, Trees, Perennials, Vines, Ferns and More! Come explore plants on your wish list and ones you never even knew you needed, until now. We know from talking with you over the summer that many of you have some big projects planned for this fall. We can't wait to hear more about them and see you all start digging in and bringing your plans to life.
If you need larger quantities than we have on hand or are interested in different native varieties than you see, we regularly take and fill special orders. Message us or stop by the Stand to discuss your needs.
And finally, when you visit, don't forget to bring a bucket to get your organic compost - magic dirt from Earth Care Farm in Charlestown, RI. You may also want to check out the amazing Buckwheat Hulls Mulch that we carry as well as our recent addition, rain barrels from Wills Garden.
Now accepting credit and debit cards along with cash and Venmo.
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Plug Palooza Returns to the Stand
You asked for it, you waited (mostly) patiently. And, you heard it here first. Plug Palooza has returned! More than two dozens varieties of Deep Root Landscape Plugs for your native planting projects. Landscape plugs are essentially seedlings that are designed to be planted directly in the ground. They are an easy and economical way to tackle larger projects. This fall plugs will be sold in packs of three of one species/variety for $10.00 while they last. You can check out the list of plug offerings HERE.
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Someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago (Warren Buffet)
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Fall is the Perfect Time to Grow Deep Roots
Published August 30, 2023
Autumn Equinox may still be a few weeks away, but hints of fall have already arrived. For many it is the return of kids to classrooms that marks the beginning of this next season. For gardeners there are other cues like fading light and blooms and the cooling temperatures that bring relief to gardens and gardeners alike. But don’t close up the garden shed quite yet. Fall is the best time to plant many of the most beneficial things you can add to your yard and garden. Planning and planting now is the jump start needed to achieve a robust and resilient landscape when summer circles back around next year, here’s why – and how.
Plants love autumn in New England just as much as we do. Cooling temperatures mean that plant leaves aren’t scorched by the sun and water won’t evaporate as quickly, bringing relief to thirsty plants and weary gardeners. Soon plants will stop generating new growth above ground. This coupled with warm soil temperatures creates a perfect environment for plants to put energy into growing deep roots.
When we talk about fall planting, we are specifically talking about shrubs, trees and perennials, ideally native ones. We encourage the use of native plants because they provide the greatest ecological benefits, don’t require the use of pesticides or fertilizers, and if sited correctly have low water needs once established. Native plants are those that occurred here naturally, without human introduction. These plants share an evolutionary history with native wildlife and essentially make or break food webs...
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Next Year's Bird Friendly Garden Starts Now
First Published September 14, 2022
Fading light and nighttime chills signal the arrival of fall is imminent, but do not signal an end to the garden season. Autumn is a perfect time for planting. The above ground structure of most plants go dormant come fall and winter but the roots continue to grow. When next spring arrives, the strong root growth developed in fall’s warm soil will help the plant better access the water and nutrients it needs for optimal health. Fall’s cooler air combined with warm soil offers optimal conditions for moisture retention, extra important after a drought plagued summer. In addition, in fall there are far fewer pests and diseases present to trouble your new plants.
While a formal garden plan is not necessary for success, you will want to follow some basic guidelines when adding in new garden areas. Modern gardens look beyond aesthetics to center their design principles in how the garden can benefit other life. To plan a happy habitat for pollinators, songbirds and beneficial creatures, closely study nature where life thrives best when different ecosystems intersect. Where this happens layers of habitat form. Fundamental to habitat creation is shelter for animal and insect residents so they can hide from predators, build nests, and find protection from the elements. Traditional suburban landscapes typically made up of large swaths of open mowed lawn with just a few trees and shrubs surrounded by mulch are the exact opposite of protective habitat...
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Once in a Blue Moon
If you are reading this when it arrives in your inbox you still have time to step outside, look up and watch the Blue Moon Rise. The term Blue Moon is used when we have two full moons in one month. Tonight, Wednesday, August 30, the Full Moon will peak at 9:36 P.M.
This full moon is also a supermoon, a catchy term for what astronomers call a perigean full Moon which is when the full Moon happens at or near its closest point to Earth in its oval-shaped orbit. This occurence of a Blue Moon and supermoon together won't occur again for another 14 years, in the night sky in January and March of 2037.
Dim the Lights for Pollinators and Plants at Night
Tonight's Blue Moon is a reminder of the wonders that the night sky holds. But those wonders are obscured all too often by light pollution. Learn more about why this is a problem in the article below from EarthSky.
Wildlife, plants and insects evolved to coexist with the night sky, illuminated by the stars and moon. But humans have transformed the dark. And artificial lights have brightened naturally lit night skies. In 2016, 80% of the world was estimated to live under skyglow. That’s a term used to describe the brightening of the night sky in places where people live. The same year, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reported that an estimated 1/3 of humanity could no longer view the Milky Way galaxy. In areas where this occurs, human-produced light obscures the soft glow of more than 100 billion stars. This excess of light at night is a form of pollution that can harm wildlife and plants. Click here to continue reading this article on Earth Sky.
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What's the Dirt on Cultivars? | |
 |  | As you make fall gardening plans and set out to select the perfect plants for your yard and garden, how do you know if you are selecting the plants that will be the most resilient in your garden and the most beneficial to the life you are working to support? We don't profess to be experts on this subject but we do profess to be gardeners who have studied this, and related topics extensively to try to best understand the science that is known. To that end we are sharing two of our favorite explainers on the topic of cultivars versus nativars versus straight species native plants. Remember, the simple way to know that you are selecting a cultivar is that it will have a catchy name on the label along with the botanical name. For example, Echinacea purpurea is the botanical name for Purple Coneflower - Echinacea 'Hot Papaya' is a double blooming cultivar bred for aesthetic beauty whose blooms make it difficult for pollinators to access the nectar. Not all cultivars are bad per say. For example, most research shows that changing the height of woodie plants does not have any significant impact on the plant's characteristics. Conversely, altering the appearance of flowers and more on herbaceous plants may reduce pollinator benefits. Generally speaking the best bet is always to go with the plants that Mother Nature created, though there are some exceptions and of course there may be times when you just have to have that certain color or style in the garden that only a cultivar will provide. But make your selections armed with good information. Read on at the links below.
READ: NATIVE PLANT CULTIVARS 101 WITH BENJAMIN VOGT OF MONARCH GARDENS
And
READ: NATIVE SPECIES OR CULTIVARS OF NATIVE PLANTS, DOES IT MATTERS? WITH THE PIEDMONT MASTER GARDENERS
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Have you ever turned to advice from online gardening forums about damage on your garden plants? Chances are, you’ve encountered one of these eight common myths about pesticides in the garden. In this August blog from Xerces, they separate pesticide fact from fiction to help you take a pollinator-first approach to garden management. Click HERE or on the image below to read the full article. | |
Earn Cactus Cash!
Don't forget, shop during our Labor Day Weekend Fall Planting Kick-Off Extravaganza (Friday 9/1, Saturday 9/2, Sunday 9/3 and Monday 9/4 from 11am - 4pm) and earn Cactus Cash. For every $100 you spend you will receive a $20 Cactus Cash Coupon towards any purchase during the 2024 gardening season. Applies to in stock items and special orders placed and fully paid during the Wacky Weekend Window!
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Garden Planning Resources | |
A reminder to utilize all of the tools on our website to help with plant selection and garden planning this fall. We've added a new section to the Planning Your Garden Page called Logan's Lists. These lists were developed by Logan Fournier, our URI Spring Intern during his time with us. Lists include Native Plants for Sunny and Shady Yards and Gardens as well as Salt Tolerant and Rabbit Resistant Plantings. The image below is a screen shot of the lists on our website. Be on the lookout for them when you visit the site. | |
Our Own Habitat Building Adventures | |
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This season our own yard in Barrington, adjacent to the Emporium was the site of programs for visitors from the URI Master Gardener Program and area Garden Clubs. We were delighted to welcome visitors and discuss our goals in creating a habitat that is centered on embracing key aspects of yard management that helps wildlife, including songbirds and pollinators to thrive.
Despite more than two decades of garden adventures here on Barneyville in Barrington there is still lots to do. Our goal is to transition our yard to at least 80% native plants organized in a way that offers maximum benefits to wild creatures while also aesthetically offering delight to human visitors. We have several projects planned for this fall - our favorite time to plant! Be sure to tune in to our Facebook and Instagram Pages where we will chronicle some of the projects and progress. Next year we hope to be able to expand onsite programming offering more opportunities for aspiring habitat builders to connect and explore.
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Next to the Emporium are several acres of undeveloped land that we own in Swansea, MA. Part of this land runs underneath utility lines maintained by National Grid. Earlier this month we met with Dr. Anand Persad and Senior Vegetation Staff from ACRT and National Grid to discuss their new pilot BioAudit Program. Through this program a select number of sites across New England are maintained with pollinator health in mind. Focusing on land management techniques that support the growth of native plant rich meadows, the studies aim to understand the ways that land underneath powerlines can serve as vital corridors of habitat. We are delighted that our site will be included in this program with work kicking off in 2024. Regular visitors will be able to watch as the meadow begins to really blossom and teem with life in years to come. | | |
Reminder, Grow Native Massachusetts 2023 Evenings With the Experts Videos Now Available!
Since 2010, Grow Native Massachusetts has been presenting an Evenings with the Experts series free of charge as part of their commitment to make information available to as many change makers as possible. Whether you are new to the topic of native plant landscaping or a seasoned gardener looking to deepen your knowledge, there is something in the Grow Native recording library for you! Look for programs on ecologically-informed design, pollinators and more. The 2023 series was exceptional and featured well-known speakers like Doug Tallamy, Edwina von Gal and Mary Reynolds. Be sure to set aside some time to watch.
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Prickly Ed's Cactus Patch
6 Barneyville Road,
Barrington, RI 02806-2715
(401) 248-4785
Please note, use the address above for mailing or for GPS but the Plant Farm Stand/Native Plant Emporium is located in Swansea, MA directly next door to the address listed above. Just look for the flurry of activity and the driveway to the big red barn.
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We are on a mission to bring life back to the area one yard at a time. You can read all about us on our website, including the story of where the name Prickly Ed's Cactus Patch came from. | | | | |
