PICAYUNE —
Because today is Halloween, you may be wondering how the season of celebrations has returned so soon. Like it or not, New Year’s Day will soon be here, and many of us will be thinking about which new resolutions to aim for as we enter into the new year.
I do apologize for breaking such news, and I realize it may cause some to shake their heads about how I could be so cruel. But I hope to make amends by offering a few suggestions that have the power to transform your life. Well, at the very least, they will improve your home landscape. And should you decide to carry through on one or more of these simple ideas, there is an excellent chance that by the time the first of the year arrives, you’ll be well-prepared to take on next year’s resolutions.
The first suggestion is – plant a tree. Even better, pick someone you will honor with this gesture. A group of live oaks made quite an impression on me about ten years ago. I was visiting some potential clients during my past career as a landscape designer. They were showing me around their property, and pointed out a substantial grove of trees. As each of their children was born, they said, a tree had been planted for them.
At our old house in Bay St. Louis, two oak trees grew in the front yard that had started out as tiny whips transplanted from the woods. They took off like gangbusters. In a six year period they became almost as tall as the two-story house. A common myth is that live oaks are slow-growing. Although they are long-lived, young oak trees grow quite quickly.
There is something pretty awesome about watching a tree grow up, and the late fall and winter months will be offering us some excellent planting conditions. There are so many outstanding native trees to choose from. We currently have some copies available of the Extension publication describing some of Mississippi’s best native trees. Come out to the Crosby Arboretum to pick up a copy and learn some great trees to plant, whether your property is wet or dry or in between.
When planting a tree, consider its purpose. Do you need to screen an unsightly view or create privacy? Perhaps an evergreen species such as southern magnolia, sweetbay magnolia, or American holly is what you need. Do you want shade? If you have room, live oak certainly has it all in this department. Or maybe you are looking for a show-stopping flowering species. Southern crabapple certainly fits that bill. The beautiful pink blooms make it highly desirable for a garden accent. In the “old days” its fruit was often made into jelly, and some dedicated people still carry on this tradition.
If your tree produces fruit or nuts that are beneficial to you or to wildlife, it can be of maximum use in your landscape. For example, pecan trees will serve both you and your neighboring critters. A popular native fruit tree is the mayhaw (Crataegus opaca). These trees produce a tart red fruit in May (hence the name). They also are covered with delicate white blossoms in the spring. The trees are in the Rose family. If you look closely at the blooms, you will see that they resemble blackberry or dewberry blossoms, which are in the same family.
The second suggestion is to start a compost pile for your yard waste, if you aren’t doing this already. My grandmother would have cringed at the rate that people today will discard their lawn clippings, leaves, and other yard wastes. It is estimated that about organic waste represents about 30 percent of the materials that go to landfills. According to the U.S. Composting Council, almost 70 percent of the materials going to landfills are compostable, if paper products are included. Which reminds me, newspaper can make a great organic weed barrier if laid underneath a mulch layer. Search the Web for “lasagna gardening” and you’ll see what I mean.
Other organic materials can be used for creating compost, such as stable hay or chipped tree branches. Many resources offer guidelines for how to make the best use of each material. How long does it need to decompose? For example, mulch from fresh chipped trees should not be used immediately in your garden, but allowed to break down before using. Care should also be taken not to use mulch sources that would include seeds or roots of invasive plant materials. Extension publication No. 1782, “Composting for the Mississippi Gardener” is an informative publication that is available on the www.MSUcares.com website.
My final suggestion is to resolve to get to know the native plants on your property. If you’re looking out into your yard but can’t name a thing out there, the Crosby Arboretum has many resources to help you identify and learn more about your plants. Websites such as www.southeasternflora.com are designed specifically to aid those with little knowledge about native and naturalized plants with their identification.
Get started with a new resolution. On Saturday, November 3, attend a field walk from 1 to 2 p.m. to learn more about the mission and history of the Crosby Arboretum. We’ll stroll through our Exhibits and discuss the plants found in each habitat, and how you can use them in your home landscape. Learn how to select plant material based on your own property’s site conditions. The program is free to Arboretum members and $5 for non-members.
For more information, please call the Arboretum office at 601-799-231 or see our program schedule on our website at www.crosbyarboretum.msstate.edu. Social media links can be found on our homepage. We are open Wednesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and located in Picayune, off I-59 Exit 4, at 370 Ridge Road (south of Walmart and adjacent to I-59).
For further exploration: Search the Web or ask an "old-timer" to learn more about mayhaw trees. Where do they naturally grow? How many different recipes can you find for mayhaw fruit? Do you know someone who makes mayhaw jelly? If you have never tried it, do so.
Lifestyles
Related Photos
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Black gum is glowing in the landscape right now, with jewel-toned leaves that dot the trees with color. Patricia Drackett
October 31, 2012
Make an early New Year’s resolution
Arboretum Paths
- Lifestyles
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- St. Paul’s hosts Third Annual Choral Festival There was standing room only at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church on May 5 for the third annual Spring Choral Festival featuring singers from the four Picayune elementary schools. It was an opportunity to recognize and celebrate contributions to the vocal arts by the singers and their directors.
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St. Barnabas Anglican Church dedicates Memorial Garden
Recently, several members of St. Barnabas Anglican Church, located at 201 Norwood Street, gathered in the newly created garden space, adjacent to the main building. Plantings of sago palm, forsythia, elephant ear and lily brought calm and sweetness to the air. Wrought iron seating and garden art sat nestled below the trees.
At the center of the garden is a large trellis, covered with blooming clematis, with a kneeling bench provided below.
- Troop return eminent Picayune residents are advised to be on alert next week as the troops are rumored to return to Gulfport, on this coming Thursday or Friday, time of arrival to be determined. Picayune Fire Chief Keith Brown said, “We urge residents to stay connected to us through Facebook and Blackboard Connect which is located on the City of Picayune website, on the bottom left hand side.” Blackboard Connect is the orange link that lead to: http://picayune.ms.us/blackboard-connect/, and will let residents in Picayune register as either an individual or business. It communicates news via email blast. Both sites will have late breaking news on official time of troop return at the earliest possibility. Those already registered, need not register again. Those without Internet access are welcome to call Janet Guidry, at the Picayune Fire Department, at either 601-798-6513 or 601-799-0614 to be put in the system.
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Wreaths laid for Memorial Day
City officials, along with Picayune Main Street, Inc. president and director gathered at the Veteran’s Memorial Monument by city hall to hang Memorial Day wreaths in honor of all who serve our country. Also present was one of the original planning committee members on the Brick by Brick committee which funded the area and monument.
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Arboretum Paths
At the recent Master Naturalist training held at the Crosby Arboretum, Master Gardener Susan Swope discussed how using more natives in our landscapes can save us both time and money. She went on to describe some methods well-suited to lazy gardeners. One was to create planting beds in lawn areas. First, mow the grass as short as possible, then add layers of newspaper or cardboard, add a thick organic layer such as leaves, and there you go— less grass to mow.
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CBAC Did you know? program highlights dangers to senior citizens
Senior citizens face many dangers, said the speakers at the Did You Know? seminar at the Senior Center, and they sought to give the seniors information to help them navigate the risks. The Community Business Advisory Committee (CBAC) hosted the seminar at the Senior Center on Friday, May 17.
- 2013 Partners for Pearl River County By Jodi Marze The 10th class of Partners for Pearl River County celebrated its graduation at First Baptist Church on Friday, May 10, in the Fellowship Hall. The graduating class included: Jason Bounds, Nacole Dillon, Christy Goss, John Huck, Jeff McClain, Teenia Perry, Paul Reese, Brooke Rester, Eric Stafne, Richelle Stafne, Kristin Thibodeaux, Pat Tidmore, and Jim Walker. The staff is comprised of: Jo Woods, Tricia Knight, Shirley Wiltshire, Marilyn Bailey, Rod Lincoln and Scott Langlois (Program Chairman).
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Tami Harris takes state
Local business owner and community volunteer Tami Harris has won the coveted title of 2012 Greater Federation of Women’s Clubs-Mississippi Federation of Women's Clubs (MFWC) Club Woman of the Year for the state of Mississippi. A member of the Civic Woman’s Club of Picayune, Harris is one of only three club members, along with Darlene Adams and Leslie Lincoln, to take the state title.
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Arboretum Paths
Last week, students participating in the 2013 Mississippi Master Naturalist Program visited the Crosby Arboretum for an all-day training. The session was part of 40 hours of field and classroom instruction they will receive, educating them about natural resource management and environmental stewardship, and is a part of their preparation to become Certified Mississippi Master Naturalists.
- Chamber Ribbon Cutting Children's International Medical Group held a grand opening and Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting at their first Mississippi location, located in Picayune.
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