Good news about plant sales
So far, 2025 has been a very good year for starting plants, with a warm spell in early May that boosted growth and germination. Plus, we wintered over a number of plants from 2024, and many of them emerged this spring bigger and healthier than ever. AND we receive some brawny plants from Brian Black at Bay College.
That means more plants for farmers’ markets and perhaps an early plant sale. Some of the early starters are
- Joe Pye weed
- blue lobelia
- wild bergamot
- purple clematis
- purple coneflower
- orange coneflower
- calico beardtongue
- false sunflower
- and more!
Pictured are WOK volunteers transplanting seedlings for our sales.
Barberry Trade-up Days are back!
Got Japanese barberry? That horrible, pokey, invasive shrub that takes over our woods? This is your chance to dig it up and trade it for a coupon for $10 off a native shrub.
KISMA is holding the following trade-up events, where you can bring your bushes and trade them in for a coupon:
- Saturday, June 28, 9-11 a.m., at the Houghton High School parking lot
- Saturday, June 28, noon-2 p.m. at the Calumet Township burn site
- Saturday, July 12, 10 a.m. to noon, L’Anse Department of Public Works
- Saturday, July 12, 10 a.m. to noon, Eagle Harbor Solid Waste Facility
BYO brush pile for wildlife
We heard a revealing presentation on building brush piles for wildlife at our last meeting. Hint: it’s not just about throwing stuff in a heap.
The talk is recorded. If you’d like to learn more about building your own brush piles to help wildlife, check out our Youtube video here.
Co-op gives the go-ahead for native garden design
The Keweenaw Co-op has given a thumbs up to plans for a native garden at their new building, on Quincy Street in Hancock. Funded by WOK, Mary Richardson of Richardson Designs is developing two garden plans for the space at the co-op’s entrance.
Once a plan is approved, WOK will also help buy the plants. After WOK received $1,281 from the co-op’s round-up program for local nonprofits, the board agreed to allocate that amount toward the co-op’s native landscaping.
Weeds, beware: Big Yanks coming May 29, June 18, 20,& 29
More in the works
Want to help Wild Ones and learn a bit about invasive plants? Come to a Big Yank this summer. The first, on Thursday, May 29, will be from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Nara Chalet.
Next, from noon to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, June 18, we’ll help clean up the Krist Meadow area in Hancock, near the Krist gas station.
On Friday, June 20, we’ll tackle the strip on Tezcuco Street near Porvoo Park in Hancock. We’ll start yanking weeds at 4 p.m. and then, when we can’t yank no more, retire to Small Craft for libations.
The fourth will be from 10 a.m. to noon, Sunday, June 29, at the bioswale at Hancock Beach. Afterward, we’ll picnic in the park.
You’ll receive more information as the Yanks approach.
We’re also planning Big Yanks for other Wild Ones gardens. Stay tuned…
Photo by Leslie J Mehrhoff of the University of Connecticut, via Bugwood.org
Farmers’ Markets
Relax in the shade, learn more about natives, meet nice people
Everyone is invited to volunteer to help at farmers’s markets this summer. If you’re feeling insecure, relax. You can sign up to work with an experienced volunteer who can teach you the ropes.
Check out the signup sheet here. Perhaps you’d like to work with a veteran marketeer, but on the day you’d like to work no veteran has signed up. Put your name in anyway; as we finalize the schedule we may find you a partner.
Coming events
On Saturday, May 31, at 10:30 .m., all Wild Ones are welcome to check out the mini-bog experiment at the U.S. Forest Service Northern Research Station, located at 410 MacInnes Dr. in Houghton. Feel free to bring a friend. Learn more here.
In the coming weeks, we’ll be organizing transplanting bees, when we transplant seedlings into pots. Plus there will be sales and maybe other interesting stuff in the works. Stay tuned.