Maryland Grows
Volunteers line up next to one of two large brush piles they generated at
Middletown’s Wiles Branch Park on Saturday, August 26. Photo by Dr. Sara Tangren.
Under the direction of University of Maryland Extension’s Dr. Sara Tangren, local residents, Master Gardeners, and Master Naturalists cleared invasive plants from a 600 square foot section in Middletown’s Wiles Branch Park. The meadow section runs from Wiles’ Branch Park’s furthermost loop trail down to Catoctin Creek between two footpaths. The volunteers are making space for the abundant native plants in the area to flourish. The designated wildlife and pollinator meadow plans grew from a collaboration between The Monarch Alliance, the Town of Middletown, and the University of Maryland Extension.
Dr. Tangren is teaching an ongoing series of Meadow Making classes in Middletown based on the Wiles Branch Meadow project. Those interested in enrolling can contact the Frederick County Master Gardener Program or register online. The next class will be held in Middletown from 10 AM-noon on Friday, September 22. Attendance counts toward Master Naturalist and Master Gardener training and is also open to the public.
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- This part of the bank was thick with invasive rose (Rosa multiflora), now removed and revealing Joe Pye weed, goldenrods, asters, swamp candles, phlox, and native grasses.
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- After the invasive plants are removed. Catoctin Creek.
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- Cutleaf coneflower (Rudbeckia laciniata) in our reference meadow.
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- Maryland Master Gardeners, Master Naturalists, and local volunteers remove daylily and stiltgrass to restore a native meadow along Catoctin Creek.
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- Fall phlox and spotted touch-me-not in our reference meadow (Phlox paniculata and Impatiens capensis).
