Wildflower Meadow in Progress

Update: The meadow has been seeded and clean straw has been placed on top. Now we wait and watch!

The meadow has been tilled and seeded. We had some major help cutting down dead trees before we could start the tilling process. Thanks to Sean, Bruce, and Steve for taking care of that part of the project.

It will take 2-4 weeks to get the area ready for planting the Showy Northeast Wildflower Seed Mix from Ernst seeds in Meadville, PA. We have to rid the area of any vegetation that was previously there before we can seed.

Once seeding takes place, roots will begin to establish in the first season. Any growth will be cut to 8" in mid-September, then will be cut again in the Spring of the first growing season. The meadow will take 3 years to fully establish and will be maintained by the BMA garden club. Once established, it will only need to be cut once each fall to 8" and occasionally weeded.

The meadow will be a great asset to BMA park!

https://pecpa.org/wp-content/uploads/Water-Resources-How-to-Create-a-Meadow.pdf

https://www.wildflower.org/learn/plant-wildflower-meadow

https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/national/newsroom/features/?cid=nrcseprd1326644

The park was recognized as a backyard habitat by the Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania (2020). The Baldwin Manor Park was able to to be certified because of the numerous native trees that line the park path. We have many canopy and understory native trees; such as tulip poplar, sycamore, yellow buckeye, sweet gum, oak, eastern hemlock, redbud, serviceberry, and white dogwood. We look forward to adding to the beneficial habitat with native perennials, grasses, and shrubs.

Please join us throughout the year doing gardening projects in the park. We need help planting and maintaining trees, rain gardens, and flowers. If you would like to be involved, email Amber Hartung at amberleemeek@gmail.com.

BMA Garden Club Chairs:

Amber Hartung, Tracy Labar, Steve Maloney