Blog Post 1: Observations

Date: 15-Jun-2024          Time: 10:18        Location: Suburban/rural backyard, Saanichton, BC

Conditions: 13◦C, overcast with a mix of sun, light drizzle, humidity 64%, pressure 1,017hPa, wind 7km/h

Observations: The total area observed is approximately 59m² and consists of three distinct zones.

Patio: ~9.7m² with several planters and a hummingbird feeder on the west edge.

Plants:

• Sweet William
• Tiger lily
• Chive
• Mint
• Geranium
• Delphinium
• Diasia
• Lantana
• Hellebore
• Cosmos
• Mallow
• Bee balm
• Blue Nigella
• Pink didiscus
• Raspberries
• Rosemary
• Basil
• Lupin
• Sedum
• Thyme
• Sage
• Marigold
• Snapdragon
• Tomatoes
• Siracha peppers
• Snow peas
• Salvia
• Hydrangea

Animals:

• Small black flies (on the wooden planter)
• Dark eyed junco (west fence)

Lawn: ‘L’ shaped surrounding the patio that is ~26m² with low growing plant species. There are two small seed feeders on the north fence. The lawn slopes down from the northwest corner.

Plants:

• Grasses
• Cat’s ear
• Dandelion
• Plantain
• Common daisy
• Lemon balm
• Mosses
• Dove’s foot geranium
• Yellow clover
• White clover

Animals:

• Hummingbird (hovering on the northeast section of the lawn)
• Dark eyed junco (north fence)
• House finch (north fence at the feeder and on the ground)
• Honeybee (along the border to the berm)
• Sparrow (north fence)

Berm: ~23m². This area is raised at back of the property (west fence) and slopes down to the east as it approaches the border of the lawn.

Plants:

• Grasses
• Oxeye daisy
• Dandelion
• Thistle
• Buttercup
• Cat’s ear
• White Clover
• Mock vervain
• Tiny vetch
• Bitter dock

Questions:

• How does lawn maintenance impact soil and plant health?
• How do invasive plant species affect native plants in a suburban lawn environment?
• How can suburban lawns support native plant species?