AMEN. Let’s hear a chorus of it: AMEN! (Thanks, Andre Jordan, for another of your delightful doodles.) A lot of “inside contemplating” going on over here.
d
FROM THE WEEKLY PODCAST
beyond organic gardening: ecological horticulture
I WATCHED A ZOOM lecture the other day that really put into words a lot of the ways my own deepening understanding of ecology is shaking up the way I practice horticulture—from spring cleanup, right on to the last chore of the active year. The lecturer was Rebecca McMackin, director of horticulture for Brooklyn Bridge Park in New York City, where she leads the team that manages 85 acres of diverse parkland with a central focus on habitat creation of woodlands, wetlands, and meadows to build soils and support birds, butterflies, and other organisms.
We talked about the dynamic tactics they use and when and why–a whole different approach to spring cleanup, where the life cycles of animals (from insects on up) dictate what happens when, garden maintenance-wise. Like why some things don’t get cut back, and others that are still seed-laden when they do have their seeds collected and set aside, then returned to the spot after whatever cleanup is needed there.
(Stream it below, read the illustrated transcript or subscribe free.)
Do you think that worm is counting its fingers and toes while contemplating life?
No because they don’t have fingers nor toes nor antennae for that matter.
Amen indeed! Here in the South it was so crazy with all the snow that even the people who were excited about it initially, later said enough! But Spring is finally starting to show.
Amen, amen, amen! Even though our winter has been much more bearable than several previous years (and better than yours, Margaret) we are ready for spring! Warmer weather coming in the next 24 hours.
it is still snowing here in south dakota
pLEaSE heLP Me
Amen! Two days ago, for the first time this year the temperature was rising. The snow melted and my heart began to fill up with hope and faith that spring was coming. Then I woke up this morning and saw that it snowed more than ever before. Spring is coming, that’s for sure, but it is also sure that a last snowfall comes before it happens. However, what is nice to think of is that when spring arives and we hear the sound of birdsong and the smell of the plants growing, it’s a wonderful feeling:)
Poor Andre.
I keep trying to visualize my February Gold forcing the tips of their blossoms up through frozen dirt and 10 feet of piled snowbank to explode, on schedule in two weeks when somehow winter will end and spring will appear. Also thinking about lawnmower shopping. Meanwhile, your drawing expresses the thoughts of my Jack Russell nearly perfectly.
Linda
AMENAMENAMENAMEN! Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think I would agree wholeheartedly with a worm!
Amen! But Andre, earthworms have no legs, and I refuse to sympathize with a centipede.
Hi Margaret,
I am really loving this doodle! I am wondering if I would be allowed to share it on my facebook? I don’t want to just post it/copy it on there without asking for permission. Please let me know :)
Thank you for sharing your wealth of gardening knowledge and your beautiful website!
Welcome, Heather. Will you credit Andre Jordan and link back to our post on my site? Thank you.
Amen! We were having nice warm days with a touch of spring here in DK, but now the forecast says snow! Not to fond of the idea of snow again :-|
Hi, Dansken, and same here — a little of everything one kind of weather extreme after another.
It sounds like retirement to me.
It’s either feast or famine. My furnace died 2 weeks ago at 3 a.m. on a Sunday, when it was minus 15 degrees, with a worse wind chill, and today I am dragging out the hoses to keep the new evergreens alive.
Yes it is a skating rink here too in Farmington, CT. So its difficult to do anything in the garden. This winter already seems very long, although December was warmer than average. Today snow on top of the ice.