Greetings from Earthen. The greenery is deepening and it's slowly warming up in Central Oregon. We have some special celestial and terrestrial events aligning this month, and I think it's as good a time as any for us to start a monthly log. 

This May 10th to 12th, Aurora Borealis may be visible in Central Oregon! If we get to see the mystical dance, consider dimming your outdoor lights. Turning off harsh, bright porch lights not only enhances your view but allows your neighbors to enjoy the spectacle too. If you’re thinking about making your outdoor lighting more neighbor-friendly in the long term, upgrading to LED fixtures can offer a softer, more energy-efficient glow.

A few Mother’s Day thoughts...If you celebrate and are able, you might consider spending an afternoon lending a hand in the garden or around the house. Acts of service often gain value and resonance as we age. If your mom (or you) enjoys nature inside the home, maybe pick up a new plant from a local shop like Somewhere that's Green or the Desert Rose Cactus Lounge. Gifting is a great excuse to visit local businesses. 

Now let's talk plants...


May Botanical Spotlight: The Sand Lily | Leucocrinum montanum

The Sand Lily is a wildflower native to the western US, particularly Central Oregon. We love to see them pop up in Spring, blooming from fleshy roots with delicate white flowers mid-to-late spring.

Sand lilies love our sandy rocky soils. They flourish in areas that might seem inhospitable to other plants, i.e. land scarred by wildfires or steep, dusty slopes. Sand Lily has distinctive groups of long, narrow leaves at base, around the inflorescence - a fragrant, umbel-shaped cluster of flowers. Blooming Sand Lily have a beautiful survival strategy. Their flowers have a narrow tube that extends underground, protecting large black seeds from surface conditions, helping them survive from one season to the next. They typically grow no taller than about 10 cm, and bloom enigmatically. Watch your step :)

Hopefully we have lots of opportunities to catch the scent of rain on sage this Spring. We really love the High Desert Big Sage (Artemisia tridentata)'s earthy fragrance, mingling with the delicate pink blossoms on the Manzanita.

It’s also swarm season for our local honey bees. We encourage anyone who encounters a swarm to consult the Central Oregon Beekeeper's Association website for guidance or assistance relocating - almost always a free service (unless they're in your walls ha ha).

And with that we'll sign off and wish you a healthy, happy May 2024.

Stay grounded,

Mike