News from the Baltimore Woods Meadow

Tuesday November 11, 2025 was the final day for the Friends of Baltimore Woods (FOBW) and Portland Garden Club (PGC) to work together on the Lower Meadow Restoration Project. About 25 determined and focused women from the Portland Garden Club, joined Friends’ volunteers to plant over 1000 native bulbs into the 12 fenced beds of the Baltimore Woods Lower Meadow located just north of the North Catlin entrance to the Baltimore Woods Natural Area.

Once a Toyota Parking Lot, the Lower Meadow was de-paved in 2012. Because of the challenging growing environment, the process of restoration that began 14 years ago, still continues today. All the bulbs selected for this planting were chosen for their adaptability to the full sun and the rocky soil conditions of the Lower Meadow. They included; Fool’s Onion (Tritelia hyacinthina), Harvest lily (Brodeia coronaria), Ookow (Dicholestema congestum), Cat’s ear lily (Calochortus tolmiei), and Yampah (Perideridia oregana).

A considerable amount of preparation is necessary to insure successful planting parties. FOBW members Leah Passel, Liz Dally and Caroline Skinner spent several hours in the meadow the day before the planting to weed the beds and mark locations for plants.  Extra fencing was erected and repaired in areas vulnerable to rabbits from the last planting. Locations for each species to be planted were mapped and charted as a reference for the planting day. The combined botanical expertise of these three women has contributed to the launching success of this comprehensive restoration project.

Betsy Valle and Barbara Quinn coordinated with Anne Marie of Portland Parks to get a big supply of mulch dropped on site, as well as the all-important port-a-potty. Jim brought scones and donuts from Marsee Bakery and Lisa brought coffee donated from Starbucks. There was a good supply of compost left over from the FOBW Hugel bed project, and it was used to amend the planting holes. Native bulbs were also planted in the Hugel bed and it was fenced for the first time.

The FOBW partnership with Portland Garden Club (PGC) over the last three years has been fruitful and productive. Their habitat restoration experience has been so positive that PGC members have expressed interest in volunteering for future planting parties, and the Friends of Baltimore Woods enthusiastically welcomes the offer. The stewardship of natural habitats is perpetual.

by Lisa Manning and Jim Barnas