Dear Friends of Untermyer Gardens,
Bit by bit, we are uncovering components of the ancient drainage system along our mile-long carriage trail and deciphering their purpose. Over many years, before the Conservancy was established, the trail became overgrown, dilapidated, and disused, its deterioration compounded by unchecked storm water damage. In my previous newsletter, I showed a section of new piping, which is part of our strategy to remedy the situation. Herewith is a picture of the accompanying detention ponds, which will help capture the overflow.
Bit by bit, we are uncovering components of the ancient drainage system along our mile-long carriage trail and deciphering their purpose. Over many years, before the Conservancy was established, the trail became overgrown, dilapidated, and disused, its deterioration compounded by unchecked storm water damage. In my previous newsletter, I showed a section of new piping, which is part of our strategy to remedy the situation. Herewith is a picture of the accompanying detention ponds, which will help capture the overflow.
Farther down the hill we have uncovered some catch basins, most of them inoperable. One that works, however, feeds a broken pipe directly under a beautiful tulip tree that anchors our future stumpery. Every time it rains, a flood emanates from the base of the tree, a pattern that will erode this important future garden. Rather than remove or damage it, we will bypass the tree by creating another series of detention ponds in a different location. They might become rain gardens, featuring plants that grow in moist soil. Sometimes it’s as if we’re performing heart surgery on the garden!
Our first group of high school interns has started working in the garden on weekends. They have been pricking out seedlings in the hoop house and planting them in small pots for future planting. Recently, they were down in the vegetable garden, where a crop of rye grass was sown last fall to enrich the soil. They turned the grass over to add more nutrients for vegetable crops, which will draw nourishment from the soil as they grow.
We have seen a gradual progression of daffodils bursting into bloom, and Daffodil Hill, below the Temple of Love, is putting on a stunning, once-a-year display. While there, look down at the developing stumpery area, which will see a lot of improvements over the next few years. Weather permitting, the water will be turned on in the cascades and the canals by April 13, always a joyful time.
Kind regards,
Stephen F. Byrns
President
P.S. There are many ways to volunteer at the garden and we are most grateful for our expanding volunteer community. For more information, please click this link.
President
P.S. There are many ways to volunteer at the garden and we are most grateful for our expanding volunteer community. For more information, please click this link.
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