Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter at the MSCO!
Walking Tours
There are QRC codes located around the orchard. Scan them with your phone and learn more about all the plants!
Apple Trees
With three different varieties of dwarf apple trees, there's a lot more to learn about each of them!
Berry Plants
Enjoy a walk among the Heritage Blackberries and Raspberries!
'Prairie-Style' Pollinator Garden
The pollinator garden is something to behold. Spend some time just watching the pollinator traffic and you'll see what we mean!
Observe the Pollinators
Here, you’ll discover an incredible variety of pollinators, from busy bees and delicate moths to vibrant hummingbirds and graceful butterflies. Take time to watch as they flit from plant to plant, always on the move, playing their vital role in nature’s dance!
Each flower is unique and important
Each flower’s vibrant colors are nature’s invitation to pollinators. While pollinators see colors differently than we do, the combination of the flower’s shape and hue is perfectly designed to catch their attention, boosting the chances of successful pollination.
Blooms take many forms to benefit the plant
Just as pollinators are unique, so too are the blooms they visit. Take the milkweed, for example—its distinctive flowers stand out, and when it’s time to release its seeds, they float gracefully on the wind, carried by soft, cotton-like tufts attached to the seed pods.
Some insects lay their eggs on the underside of some plants, like Milkweed
Pollinators often choose specific plants to lay their eggs, drawn to the ones that provide the best support for their young. For example, butterflies favor milkweed, using its leaves as a perfect nursery for their eggs.
Every flower represents a unique adaptation
Every tree and plant has its own personality. What makes this tree stand out from the others? Take a close look at its size, shape, and any special characteristics that make it truly unique.
Some are tall and others are short. This is also an adaptation
Plants often compete for sunlight, water, and nutrients, leading to striking differences in their heights. For instance, the towering Hollow Joe Pye Weed can soar up to fifteen feet, while nearby plants may remain much shorter in the race for resources.
Choose a Tree and Watch it Grow
Each of the trees are individually named. Adopt one and check in on them over the course of a year's time, or longer!
Keep a Journal
Document the tree's growth by drawing pictures and tracking its progress throughout the year. It's similar to watching a puppy grow up! Each tree has its own name, so you can connect with it and say hello when you visit!
How many apples can you find on the trees? Observe their appearance and practice your art skills by drawing a picture of them.
Each tree and plant is unique. What features make this tree stand out from the rest? Consider its size, shape, and other distinguishing characteristics!
Winter Activities for the MSCO
The orchard and the pollinator garden is still active during the winter. The trees are storing energy for the spring and the pollinator plants are storing seeds for the coming spring and animals take shelter among the flower stalks!
Winter Tree Identification
Learn to identify fruit trees by their bark, buds, and branch patterns.
Science of Dormancy
Explore how fruit trees prepare for winter and their dormancy cycle.
Pollinator Habitat Exploration
Observe and discuss how pollinator gardens provide shelter for bees, butterflies, and other creatures during the winter.
Winter Pollinator Scavenger Hunt
Search for signs of overwintering insects, such as cocoons, burrowed bees, or hidden nests.
Bird and Wildlife Observation
Identify and count birds or small mammals visiting the garden for food or shelter.
Seasonal Plant Study
Learn about the plants in the garden that remain active in winter or provide seeds for wildlife.