Ottawa County Parks and Recreation is looking for volunteers to take part in a Service Saturday native plant seed collection this Saturday at Upper Macatawa Natural Area in Zeeland Township.
The collection will take place from 10 a.m. to noon. All ages are welcome. Participants age 15 and under must be accompanied by a guardian.
Native plants are the foundation of a healthy ecosystem. Seeds collected will be redistributed in other Ottawa County parks to help improve biodiversity and restore habitats. All equipment and training will be provided.
Volunteers are encouraged to meet at the parking lot at the 84th Avenue entrance to Upper Macatawa Natural Area. They should wear closed toe shoes and long pants to protect against poison ivy and ticks. You may want to also bring a water bottle and sunscreen or bug spray.
If severe weather occurs, the event will be canceled and all registrants will receive notice via email.
Registration is required and closes at noon Friday. For more information and to register, visit miottawacountyweb.myvscloud.com/webtrac/web/search.html online.
The collection will take place from 10 a.m. to noon. All ages are welcome. Participants age 15 and under must be accompanied by a guardian.
Native plants are the foundation of a healthy ecosystem. Seeds collected will be redistributed in other Ottawa County parks to help improve biodiversity and restore habitats. All equipment and training will be provided.
Volunteers are encouraged to meet at the parking lot at the 84th Avenue entrance to Upper Macatawa Natural Area. They should wear closed toe shoes and long pants to protect against poison ivy and ticks. You may want to also bring a water bottle and sunscreen or bug spray.
If severe weather occurs, the event will be canceled and all registrants will receive notice via email.
Registration is required and closes at noon Friday. For more information and to register, visit miottawacountyweb.myvscloud.com/webtrac/web/search.html online.
Macatawa Water Festival Set for Sept. 26
The ODC Network will host the annual Macatawa Water Festival on Saturday, Sept. 26 at Kollen Park in Holland.
The free, family-friendly event will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The goal the festival is to help the community learn about Lake Macatawa, the Macatawa Watershed, and Project Clarity.
Project Clarity is a community-wide partnership committed to improving the health and clarity of Lake Macatawa and the Macatawa Watershed that dates back 15 years. This legacy project will have a lasting, profound impact on the economy, environment, and community as a whole.
Attendees can enjoy hands-on, nature-based activities, including kayaking, exploring native and invasive plants, water-conservation games, nature crafts, encountering live animals, riding in the Gabagouache canoe, and seeing watercraft up close, on land. You can find all the details at outdoordiscovery.org/macatawa-water-festival.
The Macatawa Water Festival has been held annually since 2013, said Kelly Goward, conservation programs director for the ODC Network.
This community event is only possible with volunteer support. There are several unique, fun volunteer positions available. If interested, please visit bit.ly/septwater 26 to sign up.
The free, family-friendly event will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The goal the festival is to help the community learn about Lake Macatawa, the Macatawa Watershed, and Project Clarity.
Project Clarity is a community-wide partnership committed to improving the health and clarity of Lake Macatawa and the Macatawa Watershed that dates back 15 years. This legacy project will have a lasting, profound impact on the economy, environment, and community as a whole.
Attendees can enjoy hands-on, nature-based activities, including kayaking, exploring native and invasive plants, water-conservation games, nature crafts, encountering live animals, riding in the Gabagouache canoe, and seeing watercraft up close, on land. You can find all the details at outdoordiscovery.org/macatawa-water-festival.
The Macatawa Water Festival has been held annually since 2013, said Kelly Goward, conservation programs director for the ODC Network.
This community event is only possible with volunteer support. There are several unique, fun volunteer positions available. If interested, please visit bit.ly/septwater 26 to sign up.
Planting Deer- and Rabbit-Resistant Spring Flowering Bulbs
By Melinda Myers
Plan and plant a variety of colorful spring flowering bulbs this fall to welcome in spring with a beautiful floral display. Fill garden beds with deer- and rabbit-resistant bulbs like daffodils, hyacinths, alliums, fritillaria and ranunculus.
Deciding how many bulbs are needed to make an impact can be challenging. The Spacing Recommendations for Fall-Planted Bulbs blog on longfield-gardens. com offers insight and guidance. This plus the amount of garden space, design goals and of course budget can help gardeners decide how many bulbs to add to their gardens in the fall.
Daffodils (Narcissus) are not only critter resistant but low-maintenance and long lasting in the landscape. There are a wide variety from the traditional yellow Dutch Master to the more unique double-flowered varieties like Sherborne with its giant lemon-yellow flowers held upright on sturdy stems and the long-lasting, heat-resistant Tahiti with bright yellow blossoms and red-orange ruffles.
Daffodil flowers also come in a variety of sizes and color combinations. There are all white and yellow varieties and those with bicolor blooms of white or yellow petals with white, yellow, peach or orange coronas, the daffodil flowers’ cup-like structures. Some, like Cassata and Cum Laude, have split coronas of different colors, adding a distinctive flair to spring displays. For more information read the All About Daffodils guide (longfield-gardens.com) to help with planning, planting and growing these beauties.
Both hyacinths and grape hyacinths are fragrant and resistant to animal browsing. Grow some near walkways or on a patio or deck where the fragrance can be enjoyed. Plant them in groups of five or more for greater impact and mix them with other spring flowering perennials for double the floral impact or with summer bloomers to extend the bloom time in the garden.
Despite their small stature, grape hyacinths (Muscari) can put on quite a display when planted in mass. Some use them to create seasonal ribbons of color in garden beds. Others combine Muscari with other taller spring flowering bulbs for multiple layers of spring color.
As spring bulbs fade but before summer perennials fill garden beds, alliums provide bursts of colorful blooms. Many are familiar with the huge spherical blossoms of the giant allium but there are many other options with flower sizes and heights suitable for any size and style garden. Alliums make great cut flowers, the pollinators love them, and deer tend to leave them be.
Enjoy some subtle beauty with checkered lilies (Fritillaria meleagris). Their unique dangling flowers with a checkered pattern of colors and grass-like foliage are suitable for just about any garden. Their taller and showier relative crown imperial (Fritillaria imperialis) grows 3 feet tall with a cluster of downward-facing orange or yellow flowers topped with a tuft of greenery.
Fill containers and garden bouquets with lovely ranunculus flowers. These cool weather flowers combine nicely with pansies, nemesia, columbine and other spring bloomers. Gardeners in zones 4 to 7 should plant them in early spring. Grow ranunculus in light, well-drained soil and protect the plants from frost.
Most other fall-planted flowering bulbs need cold winters to initiate root development and flower formation. Gardeners in zones 8 to 11 will need to select bulbs suitable to warmer winters, like the Jonquil and Tazetta types of daffodils, Dutch iris, freesia, DeCaen and St. Brigid anemones, and of course, ranunculus. For other spring flowering bulbs, gardeners will need to provide a chilling period of 10 to 14 weeks at 35 to 45 degrees.
Enhance the beauty of spring gardens with these animal-resistant flowering bulbs. Plan and plant this fall for months of beauty and enjoyment next spring.
—————
Melinda Myers has written more than 20 gardening books, including the Midwest Gardener’s Handbook, 2nd Edition and Small Space Gardening. She hosts The Great Courses “How to Grow Anything” streaming courses and the nationally syndicated Melinda’s Garden Moment TV & radio program. Myers is a columnist and contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine. Her website is MelindaMyers.com.
Plan and plant a variety of colorful spring flowering bulbs this fall to welcome in spring with a beautiful floral display. Fill garden beds with deer- and rabbit-resistant bulbs like daffodils, hyacinths, alliums, fritillaria and ranunculus.
Deciding how many bulbs are needed to make an impact can be challenging. The Spacing Recommendations for Fall-Planted Bulbs blog on longfield-gardens. com offers insight and guidance. This plus the amount of garden space, design goals and of course budget can help gardeners decide how many bulbs to add to their gardens in the fall.
Daffodils (Narcissus) are not only critter resistant but low-maintenance and long lasting in the landscape. There are a wide variety from the traditional yellow Dutch Master to the more unique double-flowered varieties like Sherborne with its giant lemon-yellow flowers held upright on sturdy stems and the long-lasting, heat-resistant Tahiti with bright yellow blossoms and red-orange ruffles.
Daffodil flowers also come in a variety of sizes and color combinations. There are all white and yellow varieties and those with bicolor blooms of white or yellow petals with white, yellow, peach or orange coronas, the daffodil flowers’ cup-like structures. Some, like Cassata and Cum Laude, have split coronas of different colors, adding a distinctive flair to spring displays. For more information read the All About Daffodils guide (longfield-gardens.com) to help with planning, planting and growing these beauties.
Both hyacinths and grape hyacinths are fragrant and resistant to animal browsing. Grow some near walkways or on a patio or deck where the fragrance can be enjoyed. Plant them in groups of five or more for greater impact and mix them with other spring flowering perennials for double the floral impact or with summer bloomers to extend the bloom time in the garden.
Despite their small stature, grape hyacinths (Muscari) can put on quite a display when planted in mass. Some use them to create seasonal ribbons of color in garden beds. Others combine Muscari with other taller spring flowering bulbs for multiple layers of spring color.
As spring bulbs fade but before summer perennials fill garden beds, alliums provide bursts of colorful blooms. Many are familiar with the huge spherical blossoms of the giant allium but there are many other options with flower sizes and heights suitable for any size and style garden. Alliums make great cut flowers, the pollinators love them, and deer tend to leave them be.
Enjoy some subtle beauty with checkered lilies (Fritillaria meleagris). Their unique dangling flowers with a checkered pattern of colors and grass-like foliage are suitable for just about any garden. Their taller and showier relative crown imperial (Fritillaria imperialis) grows 3 feet tall with a cluster of downward-facing orange or yellow flowers topped with a tuft of greenery.
Fill containers and garden bouquets with lovely ranunculus flowers. These cool weather flowers combine nicely with pansies, nemesia, columbine and other spring bloomers. Gardeners in zones 4 to 7 should plant them in early spring. Grow ranunculus in light, well-drained soil and protect the plants from frost.
Most other fall-planted flowering bulbs need cold winters to initiate root development and flower formation. Gardeners in zones 8 to 11 will need to select bulbs suitable to warmer winters, like the Jonquil and Tazetta types of daffodils, Dutch iris, freesia, DeCaen and St. Brigid anemones, and of course, ranunculus. For other spring flowering bulbs, gardeners will need to provide a chilling period of 10 to 14 weeks at 35 to 45 degrees.
Enhance the beauty of spring gardens with these animal-resistant flowering bulbs. Plan and plant this fall for months of beauty and enjoyment next spring.
—————
Melinda Myers has written more than 20 gardening books, including the Midwest Gardener’s Handbook, 2nd Edition and Small Space Gardening. She hosts The Great Courses “How to Grow Anything” streaming courses and the nationally syndicated Melinda’s Garden Moment TV & radio program. Myers is a columnist and contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine. Her website is MelindaMyers.com.
Float Hunting: A Relaxing Way to Hunt
By Jack Payne
We finished our breakfast, grabbed a cup of coffee to go, and headed to the parking lot along the river. We parked my truck, removed the canoe, strapped it onto my buddy's VW Bug, and pulled out onto the two-lane highway.
Apparently, our knot tying was subpar. The canoe flew off of the VW, much like a missile. Cars were swerving left and right to avoid the canoe. Luckily, the canoe was not much for the worse. We learned that on a VW, you need to tie the canoe down at both ends and on the side.
Shortly after daylight, we launched the canoe upstream of my truck. Forty-five minutes later, we pulled the canoe to make the first of numerous portages that we had not considered. We had three, maybe four squirrels in the canoe.
Retrieving a squirrel that was shot on a limb overhanging the river was simple enough. Just float up to it and grab it. Ninety minutes into the hunt, I shot a squirrel that landed on the bank of the river.
This location was on an outside bend of the river with a steep bank. My buddy suggested we float downstream to a quiet, flat spot. My idea was to pull up the steep bank. Being related to Daniel Boone, I felt comfortable jumping out and using the bush as a grab bar.
I grabbed the branch while climbing out of the canoe. The branch broke, and you guessed it, down I went. The water was over my head, and my partner grabbed my hat. Don't try to climb out of a canoe until it starts dragging bottom.
Folks, I made 40-50 float trips for ducks, squirrels, and deer. Trust me, it's a relaxing way to hunt. My first suggestion: float the river for pleasure or to fish before you go on a float-hunt trip.
Our rule is that the person in the back never holds a gun. Unless the intended target is behind you, it makes me nervous that someone sitting a few feet behind me is holding a gun.
My buddy and I both own a Radisson Canoe. The Radisson Canoe was designed for anglers and hunters. You sit just a few inches above the bottom of the canoe; thus, it is super stable. The interior is filled with foam and very quiet. There is a foam bumper guard, much like a giant swim noodle, around the exterior. This will soften any noise if you bump into something.
A Jon-boat will work on larger rivers, but I really like the canoe. With my canoe I can hunt solo if I wish. The canoe weighs less than 40 pounds.
Before going any further, I must add a disclaimer. While we have shot some dandy bucks out of the canoe, the deer must be on public land, or you need permission. You can float just about any stream in the state, but you can't shoot animals that are on private land.
I would guess that 90 percent of my ducks came from a canoe or because of the canoe. With a canoe, we can hunt ponds, backwaters, marshes, or the river. We can paddle into a spot and hunt from a blind. The canoe opens up options.
One of my deer-hunting spots along the Kalamazoo River requires a long, hard walk. I asked the landowner across the river if I could park out of his way and launch my canoe. This worked out well for many seasons.
While hunting in the Upper Peninsula, we found a large section of state land that bordered a huge dairy farm. This is a working farm with fantastic corn and clover fields. A small lake borders the farm, and a large, swampy marsh is public.
We tried walking the length of the public land and found out this would take us nearly an hour. Plus, we would scare half of the deer accessing the property.
Using my canoe, we paddled maybe 400 yards, and we were in the heart of the prime hunting land. Very close to the prime food source and far enough away from any other hunters on the state land.
Consider a float hunt this season and see what you have been missing. Stop in at Bob's Gun and Tackle shop for your hunting products.
We finished our breakfast, grabbed a cup of coffee to go, and headed to the parking lot along the river. We parked my truck, removed the canoe, strapped it onto my buddy's VW Bug, and pulled out onto the two-lane highway.
Apparently, our knot tying was subpar. The canoe flew off of the VW, much like a missile. Cars were swerving left and right to avoid the canoe. Luckily, the canoe was not much for the worse. We learned that on a VW, you need to tie the canoe down at both ends and on the side.
Shortly after daylight, we launched the canoe upstream of my truck. Forty-five minutes later, we pulled the canoe to make the first of numerous portages that we had not considered. We had three, maybe four squirrels in the canoe.
Retrieving a squirrel that was shot on a limb overhanging the river was simple enough. Just float up to it and grab it. Ninety minutes into the hunt, I shot a squirrel that landed on the bank of the river.
This location was on an outside bend of the river with a steep bank. My buddy suggested we float downstream to a quiet, flat spot. My idea was to pull up the steep bank. Being related to Daniel Boone, I felt comfortable jumping out and using the bush as a grab bar.
I grabbed the branch while climbing out of the canoe. The branch broke, and you guessed it, down I went. The water was over my head, and my partner grabbed my hat. Don't try to climb out of a canoe until it starts dragging bottom.
Folks, I made 40-50 float trips for ducks, squirrels, and deer. Trust me, it's a relaxing way to hunt. My first suggestion: float the river for pleasure or to fish before you go on a float-hunt trip.
Our rule is that the person in the back never holds a gun. Unless the intended target is behind you, it makes me nervous that someone sitting a few feet behind me is holding a gun.
My buddy and I both own a Radisson Canoe. The Radisson Canoe was designed for anglers and hunters. You sit just a few inches above the bottom of the canoe; thus, it is super stable. The interior is filled with foam and very quiet. There is a foam bumper guard, much like a giant swim noodle, around the exterior. This will soften any noise if you bump into something.
A Jon-boat will work on larger rivers, but I really like the canoe. With my canoe I can hunt solo if I wish. The canoe weighs less than 40 pounds.
Before going any further, I must add a disclaimer. While we have shot some dandy bucks out of the canoe, the deer must be on public land, or you need permission. You can float just about any stream in the state, but you can't shoot animals that are on private land.
I would guess that 90 percent of my ducks came from a canoe or because of the canoe. With a canoe, we can hunt ponds, backwaters, marshes, or the river. We can paddle into a spot and hunt from a blind. The canoe opens up options.
One of my deer-hunting spots along the Kalamazoo River requires a long, hard walk. I asked the landowner across the river if I could park out of his way and launch my canoe. This worked out well for many seasons.
While hunting in the Upper Peninsula, we found a large section of state land that bordered a huge dairy farm. This is a working farm with fantastic corn and clover fields. A small lake borders the farm, and a large, swampy marsh is public.
We tried walking the length of the public land and found out this would take us nearly an hour. Plus, we would scare half of the deer accessing the property.
Using my canoe, we paddled maybe 400 yards, and we were in the heart of the prime hunting land. Very close to the prime food source and far enough away from any other hunters on the state land.
Consider a float hunt this season and see what you have been missing. Stop in at Bob's Gun and Tackle shop for your hunting products.
