Springtime with our Master Gardener

Eric Brestel is a Master Gardener and full member of Weaving Water. In this photo, he is gardening with his granddaughter, and future Weaving Water resident, Alina.

Here is a short interview with Eric:

What kind of garden work have you been doing on the land?

Before land development began, we rescued several varieties of plants. Most are now in pots at our home. There are: about six native eastern red cedar trees; numerous native grasses (about eight species); countless non-native irises; tall and short goldenrod seed; and seeds from an unknown flower. A couple years ago I sowed seeds of a couple varieties of black-eyed Susans (Rudbeckia spp) and coreopsis; both are native to the US. The plants were moved to the area of the trees in front, and they should bear seeds this year.


What are you looking forward to in terms of gardening on the land?

This weekend, Jennifer Moore, her daughter, Violet, and I will be sowing seeds. Jennifer has some milkweed seeds; milkweed is a source of nectar for migratory monarch butterflies. The native grasses have been transplanted to an area near the group of trees near the front of the property, and some are producing new growth. Hopefully, all of these can be used to start a native meadow garden. In two years, they should produce a greater number of seeds. I have compiled a large list of shrubs, trees, wildflowers, and ground covers that are suitable for the land and permitted by the county. As you can see, I would like to use as many native plants as possible.