Spring is right around the corner and you know what that means… Time to make sure your garden is in tip-top shape! The DEC made an announcement recently that will have you ready to get your green thumbs going. Check it out!
DEC Acting Commissioner Basil Seggos announced that they have plans to provide a variety of different trees and shrubs to public and private landowners and schools.
“The seedlings from our Saratoga Tree Nursery help landowners create habitats and improve air and water quality in their backyard and school year. In addition, many types of trees and shrubs provide important food sources for bees, butterflies and other pollinating insects which have declined over recent years. I encourage all New Yorkers to take advantage of this great resource, and to work with our foresters and experts at the nursery to maximize the conservation benefits of your plantings,” Seggos said in a press release.
The program provides low-cost, native planting materials from New York sources to encourage landowners to enhance the state’s environment for future generations. The Saratoga Tree Nursery also offers a few non-native species which can enhance wildlife plantings and assist with stream bank stabilization.
Schools across New York are eligible to receive free seedlings for spring planting through the DEC School Seedling Program which provides 50 tree seedlings or a mixed packet of 30 wildlife shrubs to any public or private school that would like to participate.
To order seedlings by phone, contact the nursery on weekdays from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM at 518-587-1120. Mail orders are also accepted and can be sent to the NYSDEC Saratoga Tree Nursery, 2369 Route 50, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. Orders may be placed through mid-May, and seedlings will be shipped starting in mid-April.
