The night before, we had two inches of rain, thankfully. We've been told by those that know 2021 has been the driest spring on record, and everything around us suggested the same. We welcomed the rain. Nell and I touched base first thing in the morning to see if we should give it a try, given we were expecting more rain. Nell was right in that the rain wouldn't likely arrive before the afternoon. She was right!

As I arrived, the dampness lingered, branches hung low. A choir of birdsong filled the air. The feeling of a wild jungle came to mind, or at the very least, the Blue Ridge Mountains, as it often does when I walk the property. At any moment, I expected to see a black bear roaming, as there have been so many reports lately.

Nell, Chris, Aillene, and I were the crew for this fine day. We missed Art, but he'll be back from his summer friend and family visits soon.

HELEN

With saw in hand, I started my day with a journey of stalking the wild nandina, Nandina Domestica. Euell Gibbons may not have approved since nandina is not edible, but I did channel Mr. Gibbons, and I was stalking nandina to rid everyone I found!

I think I got all but three. Nell and I decided these nandinia were intentionally planted since it appeared they were a barrier to keep someone from accidentally falling off the edge of the steps leading down to the front of the house. Eventually, we will find a better barrier, but we can live with these for now.

The ugly agnus, Elaeagnus spp. was cut flush to the ground where Nell then covered with cardboard and mulch.

As I journey through the garden, I found where a maple, Acer spp., fell. Someone cut it enough to get off the path. I'm not sure who that was, but I'll assume it was the Gardeners of Wake County who volunteered last week.

I traded my Euell Gibbons hat for a lumberjack's attire. My attention for the remainder of that morning was on the maple. While I finished, it wore me out!

At lunch, I got caffeinated and decided to go to the City's Greenhouse to see what annuals were available. With a car full of Coleus spp., marigolds, Tagetes spp., Salvias spp,, elephant ears, Colocasia spp. I went back to The Joslin Garden to placed incase Nell or Art felt like doing a little planting.

I just checked my steps. I clocked in at 15,989! (What's that noise? That's sound is me patting myself on my back!)

AILLENE

Aillene likes to do a devoted task. So this week, I assigned her the chore of removing the monkey grass, Liriope muscari. I call it a chore because it really was. As Aillene said, these 50-pound clumps needed a new home." And they did find one…In someone else's garden!

These clumps were not in a pattern and didn't appear to serve a purpose. One of the clumps surrounded a young dogwood, Cornus spp. tree. Once the Liriope was removed, the tree became visible and lovely. 

After a lifetime of working with plants, I still find it amazing the difference it makes when changing a focal point. In this case, the monkey grass was the only plant one saw. Once removed, the negative space and the tree became center stage. This was hard work; I hope Aillene comes back! I think/know she will, but I'll plan for something easier next week. Thank you, Aillene!

CHRIS

Chris continued his focus on the veggie garden. After weeding the bed last week, he planted and added compost. Again, this was an arduous chore, but at least I'm not to blame haha. Chris took this chore upon himself! Thank you, Chris!

NELL

Nell moved around in her efforts this week. She may or may not have found the last four o'clocks, Mirabilis spp. If we see any sign of them emerging, we'll work on it!!! Thank you, Nell!

Nell tends to find her on tasks, for which I'm grateful. Everything needs to be done, but we are making progress. We got a nice note from Art, who walks the property daily as is exercise, saying, "I had a great walk through the garden late Tuesday and again yesterday. Our work is making a difference." Indeed it is; many hands make light work. Thank you, Nell!

P. S.

As we gather each week, we have built such a community with each other. While, yes, Ailene and Art are volunteers, we are also making a deep friendship. I'm honored to call them friends. <3

We would love and welcome new volunteers. If you would like to join our group, just say the word! Groups can join HERE and individuals can join HERE.

(What’s that noise? That’s me clapping and cheering for our volunteers! It’s often difficult, but always fun!)

Until soon,

Helen Yoest

Environmental Scientist