News

Garden Gate Magazine has a wonderful article about what perennials to divide in summer – and how. “While spring and fall are traditionally the best time to divide, there are plenty of reasons you may need to divide a plant in the summer. Whether you’re moving or just haven’t had the time until now, many plants take summer division just fine…” Read the rest of the article and consult the excellent chart!Continue reading“Dividing Plants in Summer”

Thanks to Garden Gate magazine for some excellent suggestions that will bring perennial color to those shady spots in your garden:  “Struggling to find flowers for those shady spots? Not to worry. Shade offers the opportunity to grow wonderful plants that not only tolerate a lack of sun but actually prefer it. Large trees and shady areas in your yard can present a challenge to even the most creative gardener. But gardening in the shade doesn’t have to be frustrating. There are a variety of shade-loving perennials that tolerate relatively low light, and even thrive in it. So, pump up your shady spaces turn your yard into a beautiful retreat you can enjoy year-round. Read the entire illustrated article here.

Horticulture Magazine just published a good article on how to manage both your lawn and your expectations as you migrate away from chemicals and adopt organic lawn care products. They suggest that you ask yourself these questions: What’s your motivation? Will you like the new look? What’s your tolerance for imperfection? Can you flip your point of view? Is patience one of your virtues? Read the entire enlightening article here.

Recycling can be confusing. To that end Skip the Plastic Norwalk is posting weekly recycling tips to help clear up some of the confusion. This week: OOPS! Plastic toys are not recyclable.

Sharing this weekly recycling tip from Skip the Plastic Norwalk: Plastic toys (hard plastic) are not recyclable regardless of their size. Instead of throwing them away, please try to repair, donate or contact the company that made it as some will replace or sell missing pieces, including Lego. Consider more sustainable options, too. NOTE: Norwalk does not use recycling symbols 1 – 7 to determine what is recyclable, nor does a recycling symbol automatically mean an item can be recycled. Skip the Plastic Norwalk is a grassroots group of Norwalk residents dedicated to raising awareness about the toxic effects of single-use plastics on our health, community, waterways, environment, and economy. For more information visit skiptheplasticnorwalk.org

Check out this article from Audubon Society about when to expect migrating hummingbirds in your yard and how to attract and feed them:  When to Expect Hummingbirds in Your Yard This Spring.

The City of Norwalk released a “Reopen Plan” on May 13th that includes a four-phase set of guidelines (some listed as still to be determined) for the use of recreational facilities, City buildings and school buildings. The guidelines are based on those that have been issued by the State of Connecticut and (tentatively) go into effect on May 20th. Click here for the full report.

Rowayton Gardeners are proud participants in the Pollinator Pathway and we encourage all residents to plant for pollinators.  This wonderfully graphic article by Alice Ely is a terrific guide for us all as it includes information on natives and non-natives, perennials and annuals that provide food and habitats for bees, butterflies, moths, bats and birds.

Fairy Land at the Potting Shed is open (strictly to one family at a time) for children and their parents! Join in the family fun of creating a home or two for the fairies who are sure to arrive with the flowers this spring.

We’ll provide some materials and a model fairy house to get our junior architects going. Please take only what you need and bring some of your own from home and your walks around town.  We’ll check in from time to time to see if new supplies are needed, but the rest is up to you (and the fairies). Creativity, imagination and family fun are on the menu – please come and enjoy this special place!

Continue reading“Build a Fairy House”

The Sixth Taxing District (Rowayton), the City of Norwalk and the Norwalk Health Department remind residents that social gatherings of any size are strongly discouraged until community transmission of COVID-19 has run its course. COVID-19 is a highly contagious new virus which can and is being transmitted here in Rowayton, even among individuals who have no symptoms. Adults and children alike, who continue to congregate, risk becoming infected or infecting others unknowingly. People over the age of 60 and those with underlying health conditions are particularly vulnerable to severe COVID-19 symptoms and are recommended to avoid social contacts as much as possible.

Continue reading“COVID-19 in Rowayton”