Events

The event is an open garden tour (for Wild Ones River City members and their guests) of member, Ruth Oldenburg's property in Belmont. The property features a 1/2 acre prairie, rain garden, bioswale and woodland edge plantings.

Members will receive an email invitation with the address and details closer to the event.

Ruth says:
The importance of native plants was brought to my attention when I attended the Kent MSUE Master Naturalist program. After my certification in 2003, I was on a mission to convert my ½ acre side yard into a prairie. I did research, and in 2004 my husband and I removed invasives and prepared a 40x70 feet section for planting with native seed and plugs. The area also incorporated a rain garden using runoff from the roof of my house. 

Over the years, I added six more large prairie sections and a swale to effectively filter the runoff from the street. I’ve also added many native trees and shrubs and spring ephemerals to other areas of my yard. All these plantings contribute to the biodiversity of my landscape.

My garden has been a labor of love, but with many rewards. Each season has its own beauty. I now have many more birds visiting my yard and the prairie is buzzing with bees, butterflies, dragonflies, and other beneficial insects in the growing season. The native plants provide food and shelter for them. I enjoy walking the paths through my prairie, watching the pollinators go about their busy tasks. I have learned so much about the natural world from Wild Ones and my 22 year experience with native plants.