Herring Run Happenings

Although it still feels ‘wintery”, in my walks around my neighborhood and while de-
winterizing the Nursery, I have seen obvious signs of spring. . . bulbs beginning to push,
the tree buds beginning to swell, a plethora of birds feeding on winter fruits as they
make their way northwards. I, for one, need these signs to at least temporarily take my
thoughts away from these troubling times and remind myself that there is beauty and
hope all around!

One of the great things about Blue Water Baltimore is that throughout our organization our practices and decisions are science-based.  As important as the science is for our water quality monitoring, it is just as important for what we do at the Nursery.  It aids us in growing and maintaining quality native plants, as well as informing the decisions we make on what plant material we will continue to carry.  When you come into the Nursery and find that we may no longer be carrying a particular plant or have “new” plant material available, it is because we are doing our due diligence to ensure that the plant material we offer is native within the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

Another thing I admire about Blue Water Baltimore is our commitment to education and information.  An informed public will (or at least should!) make informed decisions.  The Nursery has taken this winter to entirely revamp and improve the signage for all our plant material. In addition to the botanical/common names and basic cultural information, signage will also denote the native range within the Bay watershed, as well as the ecoregions where plant material is typically found.  This will help to ensure that our customers are purchasing native plants appropriate for their site (right plant, right place!).

In 2023, I was asked to provide support and testimony in favor of establishing the Maryland Native Plant Program (MNPP).  This legislation was designed to encourage and promote the use and sale of plants native to Maryland and to educate the public on native plants.  The University of Maryland Extension was required to administer the Program in coordination with the Department of Agriculture, as well as hire an extension agent to serve as a native plant specialist.  The Department of Agriculture was required to create a voluntary certification program and marketing program with multiple agencies working to create and share a website relating to native plants of Maryland.

The legislation passed, and I was asked to be part of the MNPP committee.  Throughout 2024, we were working towards fulfillment of creating the voluntary certification program, which as of March 2025, is now active.  The Maryland’s Best Native Plants program aims to bring education, awareness, and

recognition to consumers and producers about the importance of native plants. The Maryland Department of Agriculture is launching a new, free, and voluntary program to highlight nurseries selling Maryland native plants so that consumers, contractors, and more may find them more easily.  Maryland’s Best Native Plant Program encourages all nurseries to sign up and participate in a voluntary marketing program across the state.

For more information: https://marylandsbest.maryland.gov/marylands-best-native-plant-program/.

Herring Run Nursery is proud to have helped develop, and be a part of, the Maryland’s Best Native Plants Program!

New and Exciting

We are super excited to introduce our new electric cart for 2025!

A big thank you to everyone who donated and supported our efforts to replace the old Toro. 

Gas operated carts (mowers, trimmers, and blowers too) are unregulated and produce as much, if not more emissions than standard vehicles.  We were able to transition away from our old gas-operated cart and have reduced our footprint accordingly.  In the near future we will be adding a couple of battery-operated mowers to go along with the battery-operated trimmer and blower, and are looking to eventually provide the Nursery with power all year long via solar.

As many of our customers know first-hand, (as do we!) deer can be a real pain.  Not only do they damage plant material, deer are also vectors for insects and disease.  Despite having fencing around most of the Nursery, at various times during the season we have had deer inside, taste-testing and leaving us “presents”.  Well, no more!  In the last week, we tore down all the old, frayed/split, plastic fencing and replaced it with sturdy, 8’ high galvanized steel fencing.  In addition to replacing the old fence, we cleared out the invasives by the apartment complex property line and installed 10’ t-posts and the same steel fencing.  Big thanks to BWB’s Restoration Project Manager, Patrick McMahon, and the gentlemen from Living Classrooms, who spent a day helping us!

In honor of the season and my ancestors, I will leave you with this. . . “May you have enough happiness to keep you sweet, enough trials to keep you strong, enough hope to keep you happy.”

I look forward to seeing you all at the Nursery!

Rob Jenkins, Nursery Manager