The Learning Garden is undergoing several transformations over the next few months! The three major project areas along Folwell Ave in the Learning Garden are marked with yard signs. Stop by the intersection of Folwell & Gortner Avenues to see these spaces transform in person! This webpage will be regularly updated with the project statuses.
Perennial Bed Area
The eastern end of Folwell Avenue will be planted with perennial plants for horticulture courses and to trial roadside plants for home gardeners. Many of the perennial plants for this area will be used for plant identification courses, as well as for plant material for the plant propagation course.
Currently this space is being mowed to prevent the weeds from flowering and increasing the weed seed bank. Why is this area not being tilled? Tilling exposes weed seeds that are deeper in the soil and creates more work when prepping the area for perennial plants. This fall the area will be sprayed, raked, and mulched to prepare the bed for planting perennials over the coming years.
Gathering Space: Seating, Turfgrass, & Perennials
This central area of the garden will be a communal gathering space showcasing good shade tree selections, turf for high foot traffic, and beautiful perennial border plantings.
This summer the area was frequently mowed to prevent weeds from flowering and increasing the weed seed bank. We are in the process of spraying and tilling the area for a fall seeding of mixed fescue around Labor Day. Next spring and summer, the borders of the area will be removed for perennial beds and seating will be added to the turfed area. The perennials in this space comprise a mixture of herbaceous and woody plants that will provide greater plant diversity for the garden and eventual shade for three benches.
Why is this area being tilled? Although tilling will expose more weed seeds, we need to break-up and smooth the soil for seeding the tiny turfgrass seeds. If we do not smooth and level the area, the germination will be poor, resulting in a muddy gathering space come spring. We will be taking extra care with maintaining this space to prevent weeds from outcompeting the turf as it establishes.
Boulevard Trees & Turfgrass Demonstration Area
The space along the western half of Folwell Ave will highlight small trees and turf that perform well on a boulevard. The turfgrass mixture that will be used has demonstrated resiliency towards roadside conditions through previous research studies around the state of Minnesota. The turf will be monitored for compatibility with the various trees throughout the trees’ lifecycles.
This summer the area was mowed and the large weedy trees and shrubs were removed, including removing stumps. We are in the process of spraying and tilling the area for a fall seeding of mixed fescue around Labor Day. After the turf is established, a variety of trees will be planted.
Why is this area being tilled? Although tilling will expose more weed seeds, we need to break-up and smooth the soil for seeding the tiny turfgrass seeds. If we do not smooth and level the area, the germination will be poor. We will be taking extra care with maintaining this space to prevent weeds from outcompeting the turf as it establishes.
