The Leelanau News Blog
leelanau county news • traverse city news • michigan news

The photo is Daffodils II, and I'd like to wish everyone out there a happy Earth Day (and tell you that the daffodils came out yesterday!).

Come to the parade in TC Saturday too!

The Leelanau MSU Extension will host an organic vegetable farming and gardening event on Friday, April 18 at the NW Michigan Horticultural Research Station.

This session will be of use to organic producers, backyard vegetable growers, those considering organic certification, and anyone else interested in growing vegetables. The program will cover soil management, how organic soils work, cover crops for vegetable production, composting, organic pest management, emerging crops for organic production, the pros and cons of organic certification, the use of hoophouses for season extension. There will also be an experienced farmer panel representing four farms across Michigan to explain their operations and answer first-hand any questions participants may have. A catered lunch will be provided. The cost to attend is $25 per person.

If you're interested, you meed to RSVP to the Leelanau MSU Extension office by Monday, April 10th! Call 231-256-9888.

Photo: Eggplant by Andy McFarlane

The Enterprise reports that the Leelanau Conservation District's annual seedling and plant sale is now underway. The sale is a fundraiser where:

Selections are available in quantities ranging from five conifers or deciduous transplants, to thousands of seedlings. Also available are wildlife shrubs, groundcovers, native grasses, ferns and wildflowers.

"With the variety of species available, there are plants to suit every site condition imaginable," said Buzz Long, new executive director of the district. "Whether you desire to plant trees for future timber production or for a windbreak to reduce wind erosion or to provide a snow screen, we offer species that will fit the bill."

More info and order form are available at the Conservation District web site.

Photo credit: Lonely tree in the morning by jsorbieus (click through to get it wallpaper sized!)

(reprinted from Absolute Michigan)

Last night I came across this photo of a wild strawberry shortly after coming across some of its domesticated brethren in my strawberry shortcake. That reminded me to check in with Taste the Local Difference and sure enough, they say that Michigan strawberries are ready to pick. Their in-depth article features recipes including one for chocolate dipped strawberries (the photo, oh my) from Empire's own Grocer's Daughter Chocolate and says that strawberries...

... are indigenous to both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. They grow by the seaside, in the woods, and on mountain tops.

... got their name in London, where children used to collect the berries, string them onto pieces of straw, then sell them at the markets as "Straws of Berries."

... are naturally high in fiber, vitamin C, folate, potassium, and antioxidants.

"Wildman" Steve Brill (who I think is heir to the mantle of Euell Gibbons) has some cool information about wild strawberries. He says: Superstitious Michigan farmers never ate the first strawberry to ripen, because it would show the plant that making lots of fruit was no use. So they’d throw the first strawberry to the birds.

He's also dead-on right that they take a long time to collect but are about 12 million times better than commercial strawberries.

Photo credit: strawberry by juliacortez

The Leelanau Enterprise reports that MSU Extension and 4-H will host a children's summer gardening program for students in grades 3-6 in July and August at the Old Art Building in Leland. Participants in the Junior Master Gardener program will learn about soil and plant science, compost and ecology, wildlife and insects, vegetables and herbs, trees and shrubs, flowers and houseplants, and design and color. Students will also help with garden projects at the Old Art Building.

The cost per child is just $25 for current Michigan 4-H members or $35 for non-members - a bargain indeed (especially if you can get your kids to apply their knowledge in your garden!).

Photo credit: Josephs coat Empire by Cher

Our friends over at Taste the Local Difference tell you everything you need to know about asparagus: where to get it and what to do when you do get it! The feature includes a great recipe for the Grey Hare Inn’s Crepes Du Nord.

They are also having Pick It, Cook It, Win It 2007 Recipe Contest with five categories: Strawberries, apricots, eggplant, blueberries and pumpkin.

June: Strawberries Deadline: June 21, 2007 Prize: 16 oz. box of truffles from Grocer's Daughter Chocolates
July: Apricots Deadline: July 19, 2007
Aug: Tomatoes Deadline: August 23, 2007
Sept: Apples Deadline: Sept. 20, 2007
Oct: Pumpkins Deadline: Oct. 18, 2007

Took this photo on Saturday at the centennial Iris Farm along M-72 about 5 miles west of Traverse City (5385 E. Traverse Highway). It's really a beautiful place.

The Annual Plant Sale on the Village Green in Leland is coming! Last fall and this spring the Leelanau Conservancy Wildflower Rescue Committee dug up, potted and whisked native wildflowers out of the path of impending development. Now is your chance to purchase unusual natives like ferns, trout lilies and trillium, along with a huge selection of nursery perennials.

Sale begins Friday, May 25 and runs 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday; Sunday noon to 4 p.m. All proceeds help maintain the Village Green.

If you know of a site where wildflowers might be saved, or are planning to excavate your own property, call Rescue chairs Patty Shea: 256-9249 or Joanie Woods: 256-7154.

Village Green Plant Sale - Photo by Keith Burnham, Leland Report

Lend a hand at Leelanau Conservancy Work Bees at DeYoung Natural Area in March, and help eradicate the invasive species Glossy Buckthorn in the stream belt off Strang Road. Please dress properly for cold weather and for field work (so you are able to get dirty.)

Work Bees will be held 12 to 2 PM and 2:30 to 4:30 PM on:
Friday, March 16
Thursday, March 22
Friday, March 23
Thursday, March 29
Friday, March 30
For directions and details, visit the DeYoung Natural Area page at the Conservancy site (intern Kennedy Sandoval will be parked on Strang Rd. w/ white honda) or call 256-9665.

Photo credit: Robert H. Mohlenbrock @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / USDA SCS. 1989. Midwest wetland flora: Field office illustrated guide to plant species. Midwest National Technical Center, Lincoln, NE. Visit the USDA for more information on Frangula alnus P. Mill. (glossy buckthorn).

Kenneth E. Bull has established two funds to help support programs at the Northwest Michigan Horticultural Research Station and to provide annual scholarship money for area students pursuing a degree in horticulture at Michigan State University. The $26,000 gift will be used by the NW Michigan Horticultural Research Foundation as a challenge grant to raise $200,000 in gifts by the end of 2008. Foundation president Rick Sayler said:

"Mr. Bull continues his lifetime commitment to the fruit industry. Through his pioneering gift, he will be providing an endowment for a brighter future for area growers. The establishment of permanent funds that benefit the research station and area students is a wonderful way to insure that his generosity and leadership will leave an everlasting legacy."

Bull (age 95) has been active in Michigan's fruit industry for over eight decades. He raised apples, cherries, peaches, plums and pears on 500 acres in Casnovia Township and served as a Director of Michigan Farm Bureau.