| Gardens to envy
As the family dogs, Max and Heidi, loll in lush grass sloping to a man-made lake, Gisela Wendt is like a sentry. She strides the backyard perimeter of her Twelve Oaks home on the lookout for any errant branch, leaf or twig that might mar the perfection of her handiwork. By JACKIE RIPLEY Published April 20, 2007 .
A personal passion: Gardening allows individual expression
A frosted rose summarizes the gift of a garden in our lives. Each rose that blooms atop this plant carries a remembrance of the one who shared it, but the first frost of autumn is not the end. It is merely a season of rest and renewal. In a few months, the fragrance will be back, and with it, the memories of one long gone. (Linda Askey/Special to The Times) .
Events, celebrations, programs
Earth Day Celebration, Audubon Society of Rhode Island's Environmental Education Center, 1401 Hope St., Bristol. 949-5454; www.asri.org. Family event features games focused on Right Whales, animal "interviews," Shark Slide, crafts, raffles, assorted presentations, music, guided nature walks, child safety seat checks by Bristol Police, bike tune-ups and exhibit of the 2007 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Junior Duck Stamp Contest Winning Artwork. Sat 10 am-4 pm. Free admission for those who ride their bike to center. $8, children 4-12 $5; members $6, $4. Earth Day Celebration, Loutitt Library, 274 Victory Highway, West Greenwich. 397-3434. Exhibits, rock climbing wall, llama hike on the Tefft Nature Trail, 4-H animals, clean-ups, refreshments. Sun 1-4 pm. Earth Day Celebration, Roger Williams Park Zoo, Elmwood Avenue, Providence.
Note from landscaping: Thank you very mulch
John E. Howe is an agent in Virginia Cooperative Extension's Spotsylvania County office specializing in animal science. Phone 540/507-7571; e-mail
Email: jhowe@vt.edu. MULCHING land- scape beds is a normal springtime activity. Mulch is any material used to protect the soil surface, and can be either organic or inorganic. Nature provides mulch in the form of needles, bark, flower blossoms, fruit and other organic materials, then we supplement it. It helps prevent moisture from evaporating and keep weeds in check. Erosion is reduced, as is exposure to soil-borne diseases. As organic mulch decays, nutrients are added to the soil. Along with the benefits of mulch there are downsides, such as when microorganisms in the mulch cause problems. Slime molds, plant diseases, toad stools or mushrooms and artillery fungus are common issues.
Dallas' Katy Trail set for landscaping makeover
DALLAS The Dallas Park and Recreation Department is about to overhaul Katy Trail with the first of several landscaping projects, including the replacement of ailing trees. "The trail's new look begins with replacing non-native, fast-growing and short-lived tree species not sustainable for this location," said Walter Passmore, a forester for the city of Dallas. "Replacing them will create a more aesthetic backdrop and transform the canopy along the trail into a healthy, safe, high-functioning forest with a variety of hardy species complementary to this location." TXU workers will start this week by removing several hundred trees along two sections of the trail, a process that'll take about two weeks. The trail will remain open, although certain sections could close for several days.
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