Lavender Fields Forever

Admittedly, it doesn't have the same ring as the John Lennon classic, but the sentiment does resonate in the Warehouse. It is here, in the window sills overlooking downtown, an experiment is taking place to advance the environmental sensitivity of the Bay watershed. On a budget. By admitted amateurs.

The story begins with the Stadium Authority's commitment to "bayscape" the outer perimeters of our Camden Yard complex. Bayscaping is a recognized term for planting techniques that eliminate runoff, retain soil, and reduce the need for mowing, watering and fertilizing. The Stadium Authority is mindful that our 85 acres is at the headwaters of the greatly stressed Middle Branch, and we need to do everything we can to protect it from damaging elements.

One of the problem areas was the area east of M&T Bank Stadium, where the train tracks run beneath the pedestrian bridge. The steep bank was difficult to mow, leaving it strewn with weeds and trash. It was also populated by a colony of groundhogs, whose burrowing habits made erosion control event more difficult.

Last spring, the top of the steep grade was planted in large ornamental grasses and bright purple butterfly bushes. Not only was the effect a major improvement over the weeds, it stablized the bank (although the groundhogs were annoyed at the disturbance.)

While plans were being developed to finish the project in the fall, Executive Director Mike Frenz read an interesting story in the New York Times about the lavender industry in the Sonoma Valley. The lavender plants were hardy, drought resistent, and (best of all) perennial. The fields were redolent with the fragrance, and serenely beautiful in shades of (what else?) purple.

It sounded perfectly poetic. And ideal for the well drained, full sun, water-challenged gateway to M&T Bank Stadium. Imagine how lovely it would made this approach to Baltimore. How nice the groundhogs would smell after frolicking in it all day.

Phase II was drawn in a field of Munstead (an English country garden variety) lavender plants. Prolific propegators, these plants could be divided every few years to continue the field further and further down the bank.

It was then the perfect environmental and beautification plan ran into an ugly reality -- budget cuts. The groundhogs breathed a sign of relief -- fall planting was cancelled, the lavender-covered slope put on indefinite hold.

Then, the Bay offered its own solution. Ebay, that is.

While lavender plants seeds are supposedly difficult to identify by species (or so Google says) there was a supplier of alleged Munstead seeds on eBay. Also a purveyer of peat pots and planting soil. It was worth a shot to see if sustainable plants could be grown from seed and successfully transplanted.

NOTE: This project was privately funded. No state monies were invested in this experiment!

(End of disclaimer; back to the story)

So now, two months after being planted with seeds no larger than a deer tick, approximately 50 lavender plants are being nutured by volunteers at the Maryland Stadium Authority. They occasionally hear jibes about the innocent-looking sprouts (no, they aren't Wacky Tobaccy is the most frequent response) but the gardeners are steadfast, tending to their charges every day (with an extra dose Friday afternoons.)

Hopefully, by April the plants will be ready to take their place on the bank. If they thrive through the summer with minimal attention, we will know that, indeed, lavender CAN be grown from seeds, and arrange for this much cheaper alternative to improve our watershed and beautify our property.

But regardless, this experiment is already a success, because we've seen our MSA colleagues (including the boss) are great sports, willing to step us to help us meet a challenge.  It's the MSA way, and we're pretty proud.