March 2023 Garden Buzz

Historically, lightening strikes and Native American application of fire to the landscape ensured our vast Missouri prairies remained healthy and diverse. Without occasional fire, diversity of these landscapes diminishes over time. Today, trained professionals use planned and controlled fires, called “prescribed fires,” to manage these valuable natural resources.

March 13-15, weather permitting, Rock Hill Fire Department, Missouri Department of Conservation, and Missouri Master Naturalists will conduct a prescribed fire at Givens’ Pollinator Paradise. Specific weather conditions must be met for this to occur, and a thorough plan is in place to ensure the prescribed fire is safe and successful. The prescribed fire will take place at approximately 11am to noon on Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday. If weather conditions do not allow the burn to take place this year, we will attempt it again in early 2024.

You can find more information about the use of prescribed fire as a management tool at: Missouri Prescribed Fire Council (moprescribedfire.org) 

Come work in the garden when you can! All days from 9-11am unless otherwise noted. If you're not able to make it during these times and want to help, please feel free to come by any time and do any of the tasks listed below. If you are new to Pollinator Paradise and would like guidance, please contact Rebecca at 314-690-1693 or rebeccaklemme@gmail.com

March 25

April 8

April 22, 9am-12pm - Earth Day in Paradise 

May 13

Jun 17

July 15

Aug 19

Sept 16

Oct 21

Nov 4

Things to do in the garden:

• Clean edges of the beds

• Remove gravel from beds

• Remove invasive or aggressive plants (see below) and any small trees from the beds or the prairie

• Move large branches to stream edge

• Make one pile of debris to be removed

• Pick up trash

We were recently lucky enough to receive a $1,000.00 donation from the Richmond Heights Garden Club. They are one of the oldest garden clubs west of the Mississippi, founded in February 1952, and are part of Gardeners of America.

Their interest in supporting garden endeavors that encourage children's garden efforts and education (and an adventurous dog!) drew them to us. 

Thanks very much to the Club for their generosity! We so very much appreciate it and will continue to do our part to make Pollinator Paradise a hospitable and ecologically significant outdoor classroom for bugs and other animals, children and the broader community!