by: Janet Douberly, Media Manager

​​If you've been a fan of the garden for a while you may have gotten to see the slow demise of one of our biggest and most iconic trees in the garden.
This hackberry tree has graced the entrance to the lower garden since the beginning of Downtown Greens and earlier.
Its huge branches swooped elegantly down, enticing visitors to enter a seemingly magical place.

Unfortunately, in the summer of 2021 a huge storm came through and tore off its lowest, swoopiest branch. It was sad to see but we know it's the nature of, well, nature. The branch was chopped up and used in different areas of the garden.
Then the following winter we got a big snowstorm when two more branches took a tumble, leaving the once majestic tree looking a bit ragged. (But eventually providing a lot of wood chips for the garden paths and beds!) It was decided then that the tree really needed to be taken down.
Of course, before we could make that happen, another summer storm blew through (summer of 2022) and took down another branch, leaving the tree with just two branches at its very top and lots of raw wood showing where the other branches used to be.

So, it finally happened. We called in the professionals they removed the rest of the branches and half the trunk. We are leaving the rest of the trunk where it is. No longer susceptible to strong winds, this trunk will not only provide a lot of food and shelter for the local wildlife (bugs love dead wood, birds love bugs) but will also stand in memorial of the amazing and magical tree that graced us with its beauty and shade for these last several decades.
Please enjoy these photos of our beloved hackberry and it's slow progression back to the garden and back into the earth and join us as we watch how the light that was once shade changes our garden and enables more things to grow.

By: Allison Grant, Content Creation Intern

https://www.planetnatural.com/integrated-pest-management/If you have ever tried to grow something in your garden, chances are you have dealt with pesky critters taking bites out of your harvest. The fastest solution is to turn to chemicals, but sometimes these harmful concoctions have you biting off more than you can chew. 
The overwhelming and never ending choices of pesticides on top of the risks associated with them can make way for future problems. The good news is that there is a more sustainable solution called Integrated Pest Management (IPM). This solution focuses on management rather than eradication. 

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is all about monitoring, planning, prevention, and control. Not every animal or plant found within the vicinity of your garden is causing an issue. The pest must be identified before taking conscious steps to manage its population. IPM does not completely rule out the usage of chemicals. Instead, IPM encourages the combination of several lower-risk methods before turning to higher-risk chemical applications. The goal of IPM is to manage pest populations with traps, barriers, or natural methods to prevent pests from causing any problems. If the pest population is still out of control after taking these lower-risk initiatives, then chemical methods may be used.  Taking advantage of IPM strategies should allow for a healthy harvest, while simultaneously causing little damage to yourself and the environment. 

So how can you implement IPM in your garden? Here is a short list of the steps that you can take: 

1. Use mulch to prevent weeds from growing
2. Place traps throughout your garden
3. Construct netting and barriers around your garden beds to block out larger pests
4. Introduce natural predators 
5. Plant pest-resistant crops
6. Chemical pesticides in moderation and in conjunction with other strategies 

Integrated pest management requires trial and error. Not all of these suggestions will work for all gardens. Combining several of these strategies should yield the greatest results. Remember that these strategies are focused on the prevention and management of the pest population, not eradication.

Find out more about IPM at the following sources:
https://www.epa.gov/safepestcontrol/integrated-pest-management-ipm-principles
npic.orst.edu/pest/gardenipm.html
www.nifa.usda.gov/grants/programs/integrated-pest-management-program-ipm
​https://www.planetnatural.com/integrated-pest-management/

By: Savannah Steblein, Education Coordinator

In the past couple of years you may have seen (particularly on TikTok) people shaking parmesan shakers over empty patches of land they skate by,  tossing dirt-balls out of cars, or just tossing a handful of seeds in an empty tree well. All of these are forms of guerilla gardening, a trend that started in the 70’s involving individuals working alone or together to “regreen” unused or abandoned spaces in urban areas. A special note: this means that private property is off limits -- DTG does not want to accidentally get our loved ones in trouble :)

Recently I have been doing *excessive* research on one of these guerilla gardening methods: Seed Bombs. If you haven’t heard of this quirky, yet effective way of planting seeds, then allow me to introduce you. Seed bombs are tiny balls, about the size of almond m&m’s, made of soil/compost, clay, and seeds. The clay and dirt protect seeds from erosion and hungry animals until the weather is just right. When the spring rains come, the seeds will use their soil homes to grow roots and sprout. When they break open the balls, the roots grow towards the soil floor, their new home.

There are many, many recipes for seed bombs. When making them, I referenced three different websites (links attached below). But much like my cooking, I minimally followed the recipe, using the resources I already had rather than buying anything new. Warm December weather allowed me to dig for clay in my backyard, but unscented kitty litter is a cheap alternative. I also used soil from a pre-opened bag and added native seeds that I ethically gathered this fall, but use what works for you.

In regards to seed choice:
Being the conservationist that I am, I want to add a little information on seed choice. Make sure to do your research on native and invasive species in your area. An invasive species will do more harm than good and native plants are the best option! There are so many beautiful plants and flowers native to us here in the Rappahannock Region. I highly recommend checking out the free Plant Virginia Natives plant guide pdf linked here: www.plantvirginianatives.org/native-plants-for-central-rapp 

Learn more about seed bombs here:
www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/children/making-seed-balls.htm
www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/propagation/seeds/when-to-sow-seed-balls.htm
texasbutterflyranch.com/2017/12/07/winter-solstice-signals-time-to-make-wildflower-seed-balls-heres-how/

By Savannah Steblein, Education Coordinator
​
It is definitely fall here in Fredericksburg— the chilly, blustery winds, shorter days, and fallen leaves are making sure we know that. And while it sure can be cold outside, the sun still reminds us of warmer times when she shines down on us. On one of those beautiful, sunny days come explore our garden and wander the paths or get lost among the trees. The trees have nearly lost all their leaves, so now is the time to search for birds’ nests, admire the ghostly branches of Seymour the Sycamore, and crunch on all those fallen leaves. Children and adults alike can play “The Ground is Lava” and try to hop from leaf to leaf without touching the ground— I know I still do ;)

We spent Thanksgiving indulging in delicious food and hearty conversation, but also reflecting upon the fact that we do live on stolen land. A little note about this: thanks to https://native-land.ca/ we were able to learn that Downtown Greens is on both the Manahoac and the Patawomeck peoples’ land. Taking the time to learn (and unlearn colonized or biased information) about the Indigenous people who lived here long before us is one way to acknowledge the losses (diseases, enslavement, loss of culture, geographic displacement, and unmentionably horrific crimes at the hands of settlers) the First Nations went through for colonizers to succeed. If you are looking to do something more, there are many First Nation-run mutual aid funds out there. ​

​​​Downtown Greens has brought the community together for more than 25 years. A second campus for the organization would mean conservation of the last agricultural space in the city of Fredericksburg, additional outdoor education and recreation opportunities, and a protected wetlands space that is nurtured and open to the public.

If you're anything like us, that means you have been enjoying this newly warm weather with some much-needed outdoor time. Over the last couple of weeks, tulips of all different colors have been blooming around the city. 

The spring flower derived its name from the 'delband,' which is the Persian word for turban. It was given this name because it reflects the shape of the flower. There are over 150 different species of tulips found in the world today! One thing that a lot of people don't know, is that tulips can be utilized in the kitchen! The edible flower can make a great alternative to onions when preparing any dish. Be sure to use the petals only, as the bulbs themselves have the potential of being poisonous. 

We are hoping that all of you will get the chance to see these beautiful flowers while they are still in bloom. Luckily, if you miss them, there are an endless amount of other flowers to be appreciated!