Plants and Birds at Ivy Creek Nature Center in the Spring

When moving into our house from out of town, we had no idea that a nature center was just a few miles down the road! Over the last 10 years we have watched Ivy Creek Nature Center add programs and develop its property (in a good way). Over the years they have restored a massive barn that is used for educational programs while also preserving the history of the property. They also have added a monster bird feeding station which entices so much wildlife. They have been broading the native plant area and now have a Butterfly Garden. Plants have begun to fill in and mature, giving a pretty show throughout the growing season.

Annual plant sale normally attracts tons of buyers

Various local groups meet year round in the Education Center and the annual native plant sale is housed in the barn. Unfortunately, the coronavirus has put a halt to meetings and lectures. The plant sale hosted by Jefferson Chapter of the Native Plant Society has been postponed to the Fall due to the coronavirus.

Sweet male bluebird on top of a feeding pole

Last week we strolled around the bird feeding area and native plant beds. It was so nice to sit on a bench and watch the numerous birds. Cardinals, White-throated Sparrows, a few woodpecker species, bluebirds and other birds flew in and out. Squirrels and rabbits were also hopping around trying to get dropped food.

As you walk past the bird feeding station toward the Education Center, pathways are loaded with established native spring ephemerals, trees, and shrubs. If you continue to follow the path toward the open field to the right of the barn, you will find the more recently planted Butterfly Garden. Most plants are uncommon as native plants are not as widely sold by most nurseries but over the last several years there has been a mind change to plant natives to revive and attract wildlife. More nurseries are offering native plants and a relatively new nursery has opened in our neck of the woods, Hummingbird Hill Native Plant Nursery. It's located 20 miles from downtown Charlottesville in Free Union.

I feel the need to acquire some Golden Ragwort!

We usually walk the trails at Ivy Creek but it was my birthday and I wanted to take a quick drive over to monitor the Spring bloom of the plants. I actually found it quite relaxing to just sit and watch the birds and research the native plants using the provided identification guide. I realized it's a great spot for someone with a disability that can't hike or walk a long distances. One day I'm going to take a picnic as there are limitless great spots.

Go visit and consider making a donation online as funds must be diminishing now due to the stoppage of most programs.

~Rebecca

Spring has sprung, Garden flowers are coming up quickly and Charlottesville Gardening events abound.

Spring fever has hit as the sleet rains down but the Robin's have arrived so no one thinks this burst of bad weather is going to last. Just a few clumps of Daffodils have begun to bud so hoping there won't be grave losses of flowers as the bad weather rolls in over the next week. Lots of changes are happening in Charlottesville on Forsythia Hill.

Spring is my favorite time to garden because its not humid and the plants are just emerging. It is super easy to divide and relocate plants while foliage is short and buds have not appeared. I've even divided Daffodils during this time but you may sacrifice some of their show until next year. Check out my garden as it grows on youtube.

Line to enter native plant sale at Ivy Creek Nature Center

On the hunt for unique plants this Spring? You should not miss several upcoming annual Charlottesville events. Insects are searching for their favorite plants so add some beneficials to your garden. The Native Plant Sale always has a little this and that for me to snag. Truth be told, they have tons of plants and I've purchased so many over the years that my selection choices have nearly been exhausted. A few of my favorite past purchases were Asters and Viburnum shrubs. Check it out on Saturday, April 27 from 1-3.  Another popular sale with tons of great plants is the Master Gardeners Plant Sale. It has relocated to the Shops at Stonefield outdoor lawn on Saturday, May 4, 2019. I also follow an active local gardening Facebook site that often hosts a Spring swap, https://www.facebook.com/groups/cvilleplantswap.

The chickens have begun laying again! Many chickens go on strike during the short days of winter and Spring brings on lots of coop laying action. A friend gave me 3 of her hens so we're experiencing a recent influx of eggs at the moment. We are now getting 3 - 4 eggs a day from our 6 girls.

I love Cville

To tide you over until the garden gets going, check out the Tom Tom Festival in Charlottesville the week of April 8, 2019. The Tom Tom Foundation is a nonprofit that celebrates entrepreneurs, civic leaders, and creators who shape cities and communities across the nation. The summit convene experts, practitioners, and innovators for a week of keynotes, workshops, round tables and mixers. Over 200 speakers will present this year. The theme this year is Building Better Hometowns.

~Rebecca