For 3 years I’ve gathered buckeyes off the ground near the fitness center in hopes of growing a tree.
Finally, last fall was the first that any got planted! P dug a big trench for me near the house & deck where they would be protected and I could know if any came up. It was even hard for P to dig as we had a dry fall (good for harvest, not for digging) and this was like a brick of ground.
I did have a day when P was in the field and the dog had something she wanted under the deck and she dug up where I planted the buckeyes. Most of this digging is on the weed-full side so not such a big deal. When she moved to the side with my herbs and buckeyes, I wasn’t too happy!
I rearranged the dirt and straw for mulch after she was done with the digging/hunting fit and hoped for the best.
This spring I’ve been watching intently and about 2 weeks ago I knew these were buckeyes and not weeds! They have jumped up out of the ground. Now about 6″ tall.
Two are like this and a third one is struggling and only about 2″ tall. They haven’t done much in the last week as it has been cold and rainy.
I’m excited! The tree at the fitness center is full of blooms right now. I will nurse them along in this area until they are big enough to be on their own in the big yard. I assume at least for another winter.
I didn’t do any soaking or turning or starting these inside. I just put all those in the trench about 4′ long and a good 6″ deep. Covered them with the clumps of hard dirt and mulch/straw. I watered them in hopes the ground would settle.
ETA: Here is the mother tree at the fitness center the end of May.
In another generation, someone will be not so happy to have a messy buckeye tree in the yard. I’ll giggle.
O-hi-O!
and sew on... 