Grow your own food this spring with a fruit tree or vegetable start

NatureScaping SW Washington
Meredith Hardin, President
11000 NE 149th Street

Brush Prairie, WA 98606

West of the CASEE Center
Mailing Address:

PO Box 763

Brush Prairie, WA 98606
360-737-1160

www.naturescaping.org

[e-mail]

GROW YOUR OWN FOOD THIS SPRING WITH A FRUIT TREE OR VEGETABLE START

BRUSH PRAIRIE, WASHINGTON; February 1, 2015

The Wildlife Botanic Gardens are hidden away just out of sight from the busy commuter traffic on 117^th Ave. This is unfortunate, because the gardens are open year round as an oasis of calm and bird song on even the darkest of rainy winter days. For many years the nonprofit NatureScaping of SW Washington has tirelessly maintained several specialty theme gardens, spread over three acres in Southwest Washington. The gardens, and devoted volunteer gardeners, demonstrate and teach area residents classes in pruning, mason bee keeping, and other gardening concepts that attract birds, butterflies, hummingbirds and other wildlife to residential gardens.
As spring approaches, they are preparing for their annual Bare Root Tree, Shrub & Perennial Sale to be held April 25- 26 & May 2 from 10 am - 3 pm. This is the organization’s largest fundraiser, held in cooperation with students from the adjacent Center for Agriculture, Science, and Environmental Education who will be selling landscaping plants as well as vegetable starts. As anyone who has been dreaming of a new addition to their yard knows, large plantings can be expensive. Thanks to generous donations, NatureScaping is able to offer the community an opportunity to purchase a wide selection of trees starting at only $8, shrubs starting at $5, and perennials starting at $1. There will also be Mason Bee cocoons available 10 for $15 and beautiful garden photos. The selection is based on donations received, and so quantities of the most popular varieties will be limited. Members of NatureScaping get the best selection early on April 25th at 9:00 am. Membership is only $20 and can be purchased on site. Membership also includes free class tuition for the year.

All proceeds benefit NatureScaping in its mission to help educate the public about wildlife friendly gardening practices and the use of native plants. The popularity of native plants and fruit trees has experienced a revival around the country as more people recognize the role they have to play in the larger ecosystem and appreciate the many benefits of working with a landscape that fits into its environment. Like all plants, natives are available in a wide range of forms and colors and are generally grouped according to how large they will grow, how much light they need, and whether they can tolerate wet or dry conditions. One of the best ways a homeowner can learn about which native plants are right for their site is to visit the Wildlife Botanical Gardens where natives are incorporated along with self-sufficient food production and more traditional landscape designs. Simply walking in the local woods and noting where plants are growing naturally can also be helpful.

Once established, a native planting offers many benefits. Because they are well adapted to the local conditions they require less water during the hot summer and less chemical input because they don’t need fertilizer and rarely suffer from pests and diseases. Their adaptation to local winter conditions results in lower replacement costs for the homeowner, while improving air, water & soil quality, providing critical habitats for native species (especially butterflies, beneficial insects, and song birds). Planting trees and shrubs that provide food also saves on grocery bills while making citizens more self-sufficient. As Clark County and the Portland Metro area experience rapid population growth and more development pressure is put on the land in the near future, it is even more important that the average citizen take as many steps toward lessening their impact as possible.
NatureScaping relies on volunteers to prepare the plants in the weeks prior and help on the day of the sale itself. Volunteers get a free plant or tree for each 4 hour shift worked. Training is provided for anyone who is new to this fundraising sale, and groups are welcome. More information is available from [e-mail].
NatureScaping will also have people on hand during the sale to answer any questions and to assist in loading plants. They will also have a booth and children’s activity at the 24th annual Clark Public Utilities Home & Garden Idea Fair  April 24, 25, and 26, 2015 at the Clark County Event Center, located at 17402 NE Delfel Road in Ridgefield, Washington.