The following article was submitted by the Manitowoc Public Library and was written by Jordan Kabat, the Professional Horticulturist and Operations Manager of Solaris Farms out of Reedsville.
Unless you are a meteorologist or make your career in agriculture/horticulture, most of us don’t pay too much attention to the weather beyond what’s happening today or what will be occurring over the next week. I, however, keep a journal of weather patterns and trace local trends over seasons and years. I’m not interested in weather for weather’s sake, but rather how these patterns influence the growth of my plants from season to season.
Jordan Kabat
I will tell you that over the last several years our region has been afflicted with late frosts and these are highly detrimental to several genera that I cultivate; in particular magnolia and lilium. This year (though we may not appreciate it with regard to ourselves as humans), the plants are fortunate to have had a primarily cool and gradually warming spring season. As a result, the bud development of spring blooming plants and trees has been unhurried and they have made it without issue to a time when the risk of an overnight freeze is quite minimal.
I grow a large assortment of magnolia trees in my garden plot of a single acre and this year they have put on quite a show. Avoiding damage from late frosts, all have bloomed profusely. Though Manitowoc Public Library and I did not originally plan to film in the garden this early, I thought it would be a huge loss for you to miss out on this truly magnificent display.
Follow me as I take you on a guided virtual tour of my garden, where I will show you mature magnolia specimens that represent the full gamut of colors, sizes, and flower forms. I also offer a few tips along the way for growing magnolias and where you can find them to add to your own garden. You’ll be able to take in all of this blossoming wonderment during “Flower Power: Magnolia Trees.” This Virtual Premiere Event will be airing on MPL’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/manitowoclibrary) this Thursday, May 26, beginning at 6:30 PM.
It won’t be long before I see you again for peony bloom (that virtual program will air on Thursday, June 23, once again on the Library’s Facebook page), but I hope in the meantime you enjoy this special bonus program highlighting these showy garden specimens!
