Earth Matters by Jacqueline Milner – Planting Season in Eastern Ontario and Replacing Trees – May 16, 2011

CFN – Traditional planting time is upon us…usually marked by the first long week-end in May in our parts of the world, being Eastern Ontario, Canada.

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I have bought some carrot seed and swiss chard seed to plant this year and it is still my intention to plant a plum tree.  My garden bed is not ready for the seed so it will be a busy upcoming week and week-end to look after these projects.

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Swiss chard was chosen to have access to some wonderful greens throughout the growing season.  Great raw in a salad, steamed as a side, used in soups or salads or frozen for winter consumption.  This is a perfect green to grow, even in hot weather.  I have the perfect sunny location waiting for them which will require watering during dry spells.  Installing some soaker hoses will probably be a good idea. 

Carrots are a staple in our household, easy to grow and I suspect will grow well in the same location the swiss chard is being planted.  A south facing bed will serve as home to these growing edibles until they are picked for our consumption.

I have checked with a local garden center to insure they have stock of plum trees for our selected tree to grow this year.  I believe this is a wonderful choice of a tree as it will provide some shelter, shade and food for our local wildlife and provide plenty of fruit for our own tables as well.  Planting a fruit bearing tree also benefits a species of concern, our honey bees.

If each of us took the time to plant and care for a new tree perhaps we can collectively make up for the many trees which have been torn down in the area.  I drive by a particular location on the outskirts of Cornwall, Boundary & Glen Road, (in above image) which ripped out a number of trees for the new overpass being built.

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I am not poo pooing the necessity of removing the trees for this project however I have seen this site of ripped out trees lined up in a row in the earth many times since last fall and they remind me of lined up bodies after a slaughter.  It is what I see and it is what I share with you in photographs today.  Yes I’ve added some red to the earth, as blood seeping from the bodies of the trees.  There are many areas around Cornwall where fields of trees and Hedgerows have been torn down to make room for more corn.  Biodiversity requires that we maintain a certain percentage of forest coverage.

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Who is keeping track of the numbers?  We have an area population with many farmers, “the keepers of the land”.  Yes… farmers feed cities.  They are also holding the keys to insuring our lands maintain a healthy growth of forests, wetlands, hedgerows and bush to house and maintain the populations which require these environments for travel ways, food and shelter.  Must we look after the health and safety of other species to maintain our own?

In this Boundary and Glen Road location a couple of weeks ago, I drove by a dead beaver on the road, obviously hit by a car.  I have driven on many roads in cities and in the country over the years and never witnessed a dead beaver on the road.  As the area North West and North East of this intersection is filled in wetland this shouldn’t be of any surprise.  The dead beaver is an obvious reminder of the results of man’s intrusion on other species’ territory.  This brings to mind the wise words of Chief Seattle, “All things are connected, whatever befalls the earth, befalls the sons of the Earth.” 

Your commentary is encouraged and welcome below or to earthmatters@cornwallfreenews.com