Monongahela Pollinator Garden Gets Spring Cleaning

By Kathleen Goodrich-Arling on Jul 7, 2009

Forest employees spent a day being gardeners.

Take five tons of mulch, flagstone, a tiller, a tractor, garbage bags, lots of plants, a grill, food, and Forest Service employees with gloves and what do you get? A garden work crew.

The Greenbrier Ranger District of the Monongahela is home to one of the two native plant gardens on the Forest. Begun in 2008 this ambitious project is actually two spaces adjacent to the district office. Located within a fenced area to one side of the office are a wide variety of native plants along a winding path; a shady area for contemplation; and a sunny flagstone patio. The area in front of the office between a parking lot and the main road has been filled with additional plants which are highly visible from the highway. The overall site plan includes additional plantings over time along with interpretive materials. The work done in 2008 was completed by district employees, local volunteers, and a VISTA volunteer. Some of the plants were grown for the site in partnership with a NRCS plant nursery in Alderson, WV.

Like all gardens, this one needs constant work and upkeep. Twenty-one Forest employees from jobs as diverse as geologist to hydrology tech to property manager gathered at the Greenbrier garden to get the spring chores done and add to the plantings. Together the group spread all 5 tons of mulch, lined a drainage ditch with flagstone, tilled future planting beds, and weeded. They improved the trail through the garden by adding and compacting material in the tread. They planted native rhododenron, azalea, blueberries, raspberries, redbuds, dogwoods, and mountain ash. All will add color and/or food for wildlife (and probably a few humans as well!) Since even this garden isn't immune to the presence of non-native invasives the group also had to remove garlic mustard that was growing in or near the garden. The Forest has been participating in a "garlic mustard challenge" to see who could remove the most pounds of this species so it was weighed after bagging; coming in at 139 pounds. In addition to working very hard to improve the garden, the group managed some fun and enjoyed a potluck lunch.

The gardens are visible from the nearby highway, the parking lot for the office, and various vantage points on the compound. They offer a location to teach people the value of native plants as well as adding beauty to the site and encouraging the presence of wildlife from birds to butterflies. Although the gardens are still being developed they already are providing some of the benefits envisioned when the project was begun.