Where Winding Dirt Roads Lead. Adventure and Free Plants

One of the most under rated and amazing highlights of living in rural NW PA are the winding dirt roads. You never know what lies around the next corner.

Today I was on two dirt roads. One road connects Russell and Warren Pa. The wildlife and wild shrubs and flower stun me every time I walk this road. Bamboo gives the roadside a wild look.

Blackberries and raspberries line the road and will feed the wildlife in a month or two. There are many elderberry bushes, which are becoming rare in many areas with all the development of country land.
photo credit: ClatieK

There are also large moss covered rocks and ferns growing along many of the ravines where small streams flow. Add to this the color from the wild flowers and this road is breath taking each time you travel it.

There are many endangered plant varieties on this road. I carry a Roger Tory Peterson plant guide to help me identify the plants I don’t know. To top the scenic view off the Conewango creek borders this road and the view and sound of running water form this historic creek completes the journey. Today I watched as four canoes docked on one of the islands to fish.

One this road I always see deer, turkey and pheasant. Last week I saw the smallest fawn. It’s like being out in the woods far way from the world.

My other dirt road adventure was a pleasant surprise. I saw a sign on a road to Scandia that said free plants. A lady was removing most of her perennial flowerbeds and many shrubs.
photo credit: unforth

I filled my Ford Taurus wagon once and made plans to go back tomorrow, Yuccas, thee hosta varieties, lilies, iris plants, tiger lilies, and about six other perennial plants have a new home. I also can have four shrubs. This will help make over my front yard and give my friends new plants.

I enjoy rescuing plants when I can, plus the garden talk and trading secrets always add to the adventure. There are too many plants to get into their permanent home this weekend but I will use a trench method or raised beds to hold some of the plants until next week.

Tip: if you end up with to many plants you can cut a trench in the ground. Put a softer soil in the trench (I use compost or soil that I have mixed leaf mold or straw in) and place the plants in the trench at a 45-degree angle.

Cover the roots gently and water well. This will keep the roots moist until you can get the plants into their new home. You can hold plants safely for one week using this method.