Webinar March 4 on Soil Chemistry
The secret to a great garden is great soil. In this second in a three-part series, Dr. Ken Farrish digs into soil chemistry and assures us that you don’t need to be a science major to better understand what’s happening under foot. Here are the details:
- Understanding Soils, Part 2: Soil Chemical Properties
- 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 4, 2026
- Learn more
- Zoom-Please register
This event is a follow-up to Farrish’s popular October webinar on the physical properties of soils. The second talk focuses on their chemical properties, such as the availability of essential plant nutrients, pH, and salinity.
His final talk, as yet to be scheduled, will focus on soil biology.
Plant Talk and Coffee
Eight Wild Ones, including photographer Sheri Hagwood, got together Feb. 28 at 5th and Elm to enjoy each other’s company and talk about our favorite subject: plants.
Everyone had a great time, but if you couldn’t make it, no worries. Another plant talk is being planned for March, probably in Calumet. Stay tuned.
April 4 Symposium to feature Heather Holm
Pollinator advocate Heather Holm will be the featured speaker in the Keweenaw Native Plant Symposium, set for 9 a.m.-noon, Saturday, April 4. She will present “From Canopy to Ground Cover: Building Soft Landings with Keystone Plants for Pollinators.”
In addition, Aaron Anderson of the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation will give a talk on supporting beneficial insects (and safely discouraging mosquitos). RJ Laverne, of Michigan Tech and The Davey Tree Company, will speak on “The Right Tree in the Right Place.”
Houghton approves Bird City effort
The Houghton City Council has given its official blessing to the push to become an official Bird City.
Keweenaw Wild Ones is part of the effort. In support, the WOK board is considering donating a number of native gardens to qualified applicants and looking into possible public plantings.
Online bog and fen talk March 16
Benjamin Botwinski, director of the Ebersole Center of Lansing Public Schools will present
- Wet, Wild, and Rare: Understanding Michigan’s Fens and Bogs
- 6:30-8 p.m., Monday, March 16
- Zoom
Fens and bogs are among Michigan’s most fascinating—and least understood—natural communities. In this presentation we’ll take a closer look at how these wetlands function, the unique plant and animal species they support, and the role they play in the broader landscape. We’ll also discuss current conservation efforts and how individuals and communities can help protect these rare and sensitive ecosystems