Tag: Native Plants

Fall Walking Tour at Cartier Park | 10 am

Learn about both invasive and native plants at Cartier Park with Dave Dister, local botanist and author. Dave will take us on a walking tour of the fall growth in the park. He’ll give information on a variety of invasive species, highlighting the progress that was made last year near the gazebo. He’ll also talk about the native plants that were added last fall. Meet by the Bark Park at the end of Rath Ave. by Lincoln Lake.

This event will be held in fair weather, and sometimes wraps up early, depending on site conditions.

All About Natives!

Need help deciding what native plants are best for your property? Then this presentation is for YOU!! Cheryl Gross, President of Plant It Wild, will give information about the benefits of ecological gardening with native plants and how best to incorporate them into your landscape based on your growing conditions. Also, a few ‘experts” will be on hand afterwards. 

Plant it Wild is a small, independent, non-profit centered in Benzie and Manistee Counties founded over 20 years ago. They offer educational Programs annually between May and September and host several field trips. Their mission is to promote the appreciation and protection of native plant communities in our region. Visit their Facebook Page PIW-Plant it Wild and website to learn more information about their organization.

   

To get registered, Email your contact information, including phone number, to makeadifference@affew.org.

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AFFEW Native Plant Sale 2023

Our Native Plant Sale will be done a little differently this year. We will not have an in-person event! All orders must be ordered in advance. We will be accepting orders through April 22 for Garden & Single Species flats plus individual Quart & Gallon plants.

Help protect our species by gardening with native plants! These important plants provide nectar, pollen, and seeds for many insects, birds and animals. They are also hosts for many insects all year long. Native plants also require minimal maintenance and their deep root system absorb more water than a traditional lawn. With the continuous decline of the Monarch butterfly population, you can make a difference by creating a habitat for these beautiful and important butterflies! Last year, our sale introduced over 1700 new native plants to our community!

Having problems with deer eating your plants? View the list of deer resistant native plants from the Lansing chapter of Wild Ones.

Need help deciding what to plant? Attend our FREE presentation All About Natives!

AFFEW MEMBERS who ORDER Garden or Single Species Flats will receive a discount of $10 off Garden & Shrub Flats | $7 off Single Species Wildflowers, Grass & Sedge Flats!


2023 Preorders will be accepted through our Earth Day Celebration on April 22.

Garden and Single Species Flats

Each Garden Flat comes with 38 native plant plugs and a design plan for a 4’x10’ garden. Learn more about Garden Flat designs.

Single Species Flats also come with 38 plant plugs. These one year plants are grown without chemical fertilizers or pesticides and are Michigan Genotype. They typically do not bloom or reach full maturity until the second year.

Garden Flats: $95 | Wildflowers & Grasses: $72 unless specified | Shrubs: $100 (Tax Included)

Butterfly GardenGrassland GardenPollinator  Garden
Rain GardenSemi-Shade GardenMonarch Garden (New)
Shoreline GardenTall Prairie Garden 
PLEASE NOTE: Plant substitution may take place due to availability for Garden Flats.
ORDER Garden & Single Species Flats

Quarts & Gallon Plants

This year we’ll offer a variety of individual wildflower, grass, sedge and shrub plants. All plants must be ordered in advance!

Wildflower, Grass, Sedge Quarts: $7 unless specified | Shrub Gallons: $15 (Tax Included)

2023 Native Plant Species List
ORDER Quart & Gallons Plants

Here’s how it works: Place your order with the forms provided. All orders will be confirmed with the nursery before the order is accepted. An email with a summary of your order and payment options will be sent after the order has been confirmed. Orders are available for pick up on June 10 at U Dig It Community Garden unless other arrangements have been made. Thank you for gardening with native plants and supporting AFFEW!

Have more questions? Contact Sara Bolan at 815-592-9032

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    Welcome to U Dig It Community Garden!

    The U Dig It Community Garden is a membership based organic garden that was established in 2010. We’re located behind the United Methodist Church of Ludington. Garden boxes are provided for personal use in a organic and sustainable environment. We depend on our members to volunteer by maintaining the garden boxes, grounds and equipment. Our journey with AFFEW began in January 2022 when our organizations merged!

    In the fall of 2021 we began our expansion of the garden. By the spring of 2022 a dozen additional block beds were installed with the generous support of SRM Concrete  through their Giving Back program. We also received support from Lowe’s of Ludington and T & M Landscaping and Tree Removal as an in-kind sponsor who provided equipment and labor to complete the project. After a busy spring and with the help of our volunteers, UDICG now has 59 beds!

    In addition to personal boxes, we work directly with our local food pantry Lakeshore Food Club. We provide healthy produce in support of food security for our community. In 2021 our members and Grow a Box Gardeners donated one third of the produce to Lakeshore Food Club!

    In 2022 with the help of Michigan State University Extension, we introduced the U Dig It! Gardening Series. This educational series is for our members and the community. In Photo by Ron Sullivanaddition we’ll host the Dig It! Youth Summer Series for 7-11 year olds. This is an interactive program run by AFFEW and MSU that grows, tastes and donates produce to our community. They also learn and experience a variety of aspects about nature, birds and our environment.

    Garden Bed Availability
    Existing members are given the opportunity to retain their beds before it is opened up to the public. If you’re interested in being placed on the list for next years consideration, contact Sara Bolan, UDICG Director.

    Our Mission
    To educate its members and the general public in healthy eating by promoting sustainable practices through organic farming, composting and environmental education for children and adults. Through volunteerism and donations from our gardeners, twenty-five percent of the produce is provided to support food security for our community.

    When should I start my seeds?
    It’s always a challenge to decide when it’s the right time to start seeds. Here’s a handy seed starting calculator that helps take the mystery out of when to plant! Download the Spring Seed Starting Calendar for Ludington.

    Help support AFFEW and UDICG by becoming a member or making a tax deductible donation!

    Join AFFEW!

    NEW DATE! Home Garden Restoration on a Shoestring

    Have you ever wanted to transform your personal landscape to a pollinator garden, rain garden, or a meadow area to replace traditional landscapes? In this hands-on workshop, Sarah Pregitzer will demonstrate methods of propagating and planting natives that are cheap, easy and highly successful. She will talk about native seed collection and storage, site preparation, winter sowing and making seedballs. Participants will receive information and materials to begin their own native garden transformation.

       

    To get registered, Email your contact information, including phone number, to makeadifference@affew.org.

    Payment is accepted the day of the event. (AFFEW Members $5/Non-members $10) Limited to 20 participants!

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    Native Plant Sale 2022 — With Preorders

    Saturday, June 11 | 9:30 am-12:30 pm

    Rotary Park, Ludington

    Help protect our species by gardening with native plants! AFFEW will offer a variety of native plants for sale the second Saturday in June. These important plant species provide nectar, pollen, and seeds for many insects, birds and animals. They are also hosts for many butterflies all year long. Native plants also require minimal maintenance and their deep root system absorb more water than a traditional lawn. With the continuous decline of the Monarch butterfly population you can make a difference by creating a habitat for these beautiful and important orange butterflies!

    Last year our sale introduced over 1600 new native plants to our community! AFFEW will again partner with Birdsfoot Native Nursery to bring these amazing plants to YOU!

    There will be a LARGE selection of individual quarts and gallon plants available the day of the sale and a representative from Birdsfoot Native Nursery will be on hand to answer any questions. Preview the 2022 Species List-Guide that may be available the day of the sale. This list is neither complete nor guaranteed, but is a great way to see approximately what we will have to offer.

    AFFEW MEMBERS who PREORDER Garden or Single Species Flats will be discounted $10 off Garden & Shrub Flats | $7 off Single Species Wildflowers & Grass Flats PLUS admission to the 9-10 am presale AND an additional $1 off quarts/$2 off gallons purchased at the presale!


    2022 Preorders will be accepted through May 8.

    Garden and Single Species Flats

    Each Garden Flat comes with 38 native plant plugs and a design plan with a mixture of plants. They include instructions and layout for a 4’x10’ garden. Single Species Flats also comes with 38 plant plugs. These one year plants are grown without chemical fertilizers or pesticides and are Michigan Genotype. They typically do not bloom or reach full maturity until the second year.

    Garden Flats | $88 (Tax Included)

    Butterfly GardenGrassland Garden (New)Pollinator Garden
    Rain GardenSemi-Shade GardenShoreline Garden
     Tall Prairie Garden (New) 
    PLEASE NOTE: Plant substitution may take place due to availability for Garden Flats.

    Single Species Flats

    Single species flats of 38 plugs are also available for wildflowers, grasses and shrubs. Wildflowers & Grasses: $66 | Shrubs: $88 (Tax Included) Species NOT AVAILABLE: Harebell, Wild Petunia, Lead Plant and Prairie Smoke.

    2022 Species List-Guide

    Join AFFEW
    Preorder Flats
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    Native Plant Sale 2022

    Saturday, June 11 | 9:30 am-12:30 pm

    Rotary Park, Ludington

    Help protect our species by gardening with native plants! AFFEW will offer a variety of native plants for sale the second Saturday in June. These important plant species provide nectar, pollen, and seeds for many insects, birds and animals. They are also hosts for many butterflies all year long. Native plants also require minimal maintenance and their deep root system absorb more water than a traditional lawn. With the continuous decline of the Monarch butterfly population you can make a difference by creating a habitat for these beautiful and important orange butterflies!

    Last year our sale introduced over 1600 new native plants to our community! AFFEW will again partner with Birdsfoot Native Nursery to bring these amazing plants to YOU!

    There will be a LARGE selection of individual quarts and gallon plants available the day of the sale and a representative from Birdsfoot Native Nursery will be on hand to answer any questions. Preview the 2022 Species List-Guide that may be available the day of the sale. This list is neither complete nor guaranteed, but is a great way to see approximately what we will have to offer.

    Join AFFEW
    Posted on

    Native Plant Sale 2021

    Saturday, June 11 | Time 930am-1230pm

    Rotary Park, Ludington

    Help protect our species by gardening with native plants! AFFEW will again offer a variety of native plants for sale. These important plant species provide nectar, pollen, and seeds that serve as food for insects, birds and animals. Native plants also require minimal maintenance and their deep root system absorb more water than a traditional lawn. With the continuous decline of the Monarch butterfly population you can make a difference by creating a habitat for these beautiful and important butterflies!

    Last year our sale introduced nearly 1600 new native plants to our community! AFFEW will again partner with Birdsfoot Native Nursery to bring these amazing plants to YOU!

    There will be a LARGE selection of individual quarts and gallon plants available the day of the sale and a representative from Birdsfoot Native Nursery will be there to answer any questions. Preview a list of plants that may be available the day of the sale. This list is neither complete nor guaranteed, but is a great way to see approximately what we will have to offer.

    Having problems with deer eating your plants? View the list of deer resistant native plants from the Lansing chapter of Wild Ones. We’ll have several of these plants available the day of the sale.

    Preorders for garden and single species flats of grasses and sedges are going on now as supplies last! Sample designs are below. AFFEW MEMBERS who preorder Garden or Single Species Flats of Grasses and Sedges will receive a 15% Discount on their preorder and purchases made before 10am the day of the sale!

    Each Garden Flat comes with 38 organic plugs and a design plan with a mixture of plants. They include instructions and layout for a 4’x10’ garden. These one year plants are grown without chemical fertilizers or pesticides. They typically do not bloom or reach full maturity until the second year.

    Deadline for preorders is May 23!

     Garden Flats | $70

    Butterfly GardenPollinator GardenRain Garden
    Wildflower GardenLow Growing GardenShoreline Flat Garden
    NEW * Semi-Shade Garden
    PLEASE NOTE: Plant substitution may take place due to availability for Garden Flats.

    Single Species Flats | Grasses: $56 | Sedges: $70

    Single species flats of grasses and sledges are also available and comes with 38 plugs.

    SSPL Revised 5/1/2021

    Join AFFEW
    Preorder Flats

    The deadline for preorders is May 23!

    Invasive Plant Removal

    Help treat and remove a variety of invasive plant species at Cartier Park. Depending on turnout, we’ll be splitting into two groups and work on weeding the native plant garden around the gazebo and installing a rock border. In addition, we’ll be pulling the plant mugwort east of the pavilion. Meet at the gazebo parking lot by Lincoln Lake. Bring water, heavy gloves and wear long pants and closed toed shoes. Small shovel or hand tool weeder is also helpful. Event will be held in fair weather, and sometimes wraps up early, depending on site conditions.

    Spring Walking Tour at Cartier Park

    Learn about both invasive and native plants at Cartier Park with Dave Dister, local botanist and author. Dave will take us on a walking tour of the spring growth in the park. He’ll give information on a variety of invasive species, highlighting the progress that was made last year near the gazebo. He’ll also talk about the native plants that were added last fall. Meet by the Bark Park at the end of Rath Ave. by Lincoln Lake.

    This event will be held in fair weather, and sometimes wraps up early, depending on site conditions.

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