Volunteers in Action
Plant Mural - Phase III
It all comes down to getting hands in the dirt!
Plant Mural - Phase II
October, 2022. One of the highlights of the Tawes Garden is the Plant Mural. Tucked in a sunny corner of the garden, the Plant Mural offers a year-round palate of color and texture and serves as an important waystation for pollinators of all types. On October 7, 2022, a group of enthusiastic volunteers, led by Anne Arundel County Master Gardeners, helped install hundreds of native perennials in the Plant Mural. Master Gardeners, part of the University of Maryland Extension program, are helping to transition the Plant Mural to a more sustainable, environmentally-friendly design, helped by a generous grant from Unity Gardens. This year’s planting was the second in a three-year program of transition and incorporated many Maryland native plants that are widely available to all gardeners. They included Inkberry Holly, Black-eyed Susan, Joe Pye Weed, Butterfly Weed, Bergamot, Phlox, Liatris, Asters and Penstemon. This selection of plants require minimal care and watering and serve as hosts and food sources to a wide variety of native pollinators such as bees, butterflies, birds and caterpillars.
Whew! A Near Miss
September, 2021 - The remnants of hurricane Ida slammed through Annapolis on September 1, producing two tornadoes that caused major damage on West St., less than 3 miles from the Tawes Garden. The Garden was fortunately spared a direct hit, but that didn't mean no damage, as heavy rains and winds tore large limbs from trees and scattered debris. Fortunately, two of our stalwart volunteer partners came in with heavy equipment to set things to rights. We are tree-mendously grateful to both the Davey Tree Service of Annapolis and Maryland Tree & Landscape Services of Davidsonville. Our heartfelt thanks to both of them!
The Garden's Western Maryland Path
Gets a New Curb
May 2021 - The rotted-out landscape timbers edging the gravel path in the W. Md. section of the Tawes Garden were replaced with new timbers acquired through a grant from the Friends of Maryland State Parks (FOMSP). The work was carried out by a 3-man crew from the Maryland Veterans Conservation Corps (VCC), who spent several days removing the old timbers and cutting and installing new ones. The now more visible curb defines the path and helps keep visitors safely centered on it.
This is the first time the Garden has worked with the VCC, and we hope to do so again in the future.
Rick, Josh, and Calvin: A great bunch of guys and a great job!
April 2021 - Volunteers demonstrate the Downward Gardener Pose, an asana well known to all gardeners if not to standard yoga practice!
They're Back!
Volunteers to the Rescue!
Covid-19 restrictions left the Tawes Garden without the help of its dedicated volunteers for several months this spring and summer, to its detriment. A 5-acre Garden/Arboretum needs a lot of care. So we're delighted to report that our volunteers are now back on the job, working in small groups outside while observing virus-prevention protocols. Seasonal work being carried out at the Plant Mural includes weeding, planting new shrubs and perennials, and mulching. Elsewhere in the Garden carpentry repairs are being undertaken and storm-downed trees cut up. It's a sight for pandemic-weary eyes: Welcome back,Volunteers!
