July 2022Nashville Tree Foundation's Big Old Tree ContestTree-mendous news! Is there a favorite big old tree in your life? One that shades your home or inspires awe as you drive past it on the way to work or school? Nashville Tree Foundation’s annual Big Old Tree Contest is back for its 35th year, and we need YOUR help to find Nashville’s most awe-inspiring trees. The Big Old Tree Contest is one of NTF’s most popular and longest running programs. The contest fosters appreciation for the importance of trees by engaging Nashvillians in identifying our city’s largest trees. Every day our city’s mature tree canopy provides the public benefits by cleaning our air and water, providing lower utility bills, reducing carbon emissions from vehicles, providing cooler climates, and giving shelter and food to wildlife. Trees of any species in Davidson County can be nominated by any person. The trees can be on the property of the nominator, a neighbor, friend, or stranger, or on public property. The owner's permission is suggested but not required. Nashville Tree Foundation is the only organization in Middle Tennessee that awards trees with tree tags. Winners are judged by circumference, height and crown spread. Deadline for entries in the Big Old Tree Contest is August 31, 2022. Winners will be announced later this fall at our Tree Spree celebration. The contest and event are free and open to the public. To view contest guidelines, entry forms and previous winners, visit www.nashvilletreefoundation. March 2022Joan Clayton-Davis' interview from the Nashville Public Library Seed Exchange newsletter:This month, NPL kicked off its ninth year of our Seed Exchange. If you’re subscribed to this newsletter, there's a good chance you’ve attended one of our workshops with Master Gardener Joan Clayton-Davis, a regular presenter and organizer of our gardening workshops. We did a full interview with her a few years ago, but decided to check back in with her this season to see how her garden life is going. Seed Exchange: What are you most excited about at the beginning of this season? Joan Clayton-Davis: Three things: 1. Getting outside and enjoying nature and planning my 2022 garden; 2. Getting started with our educational sessions in partnership with NPL Seed Exchange Program; 3. Looking at seed catalogues and trying to decide what I will grow this year. SE: Since we are in the middle of winter, what are you doing for your garden right now? Do you do anything to your soil? JCD: I am cleaning my raised beds, cleaning and disinfecting garden tools, and will soon get a soil sample to see if I need to amend the garden soil. SE: What sort of seedlings will you be starting indoors? JCD: Tomatoes, peppers – especially hot peppers like Scotch bonnet. SE: Are you worried about the unpredictable Nashville winter this year, or do you tend to transplant around the same time regardless? JCD: Don't worry about our crazy weather. I follow the UT Planting calendar for early spring planted vegetable garden, warm season gardens, and fall gardens. I also will look for flowers in the landscape to see them pop up from the soil so I can separate them (such as hosta). SE: Has your relationship to gardening changed at all during the pandemic? JCD: Yes. We were hit by the pandemic with multiple restrictions. We had an in-ground garden at TSU Research Farm Community, but the March 2020 tornado destroyed much of the farm. We had to go to raised beds in a relative's backyard, but it has been a good experience. Additionally, we did more container gardening on our deck with good success. That will be what we will do in 2022. SE: What tips do you have for new gardeners who want to learn but are overwhelmed by the amount of information out there? JCD: For new gardeners, go small and choose a few things you would like to grow. Take advantage of NPL Seed Exchange and educational sessions provided by Master Gardeners. Use UT and TSU Cooperative Extension Resources as guides and contact a Master Gardener for assistance. |
