NOBODY TUCKED ME IN THE SHED, but even so, I’m starting to get bored like the gnome in doodler Andre Jordan‘s cartoon. It’s been mostly neither here-nor-there weather so far locally, but here comes a good, stiff chill period. Bring it on; let’s gets some proper, deep sleep and wake up in spring all full of stored-up energy and ready to really blossom. (See all the Andre Jordan doodles created for A Way to Garden in the archive.)
THE LECTURE that he’s been giving for a number of years is not-so-subtly called “Kill Your Lawn.” Ecological horticulturist Dan Jaffe Wilder knows that starting over and creating an entire native habitat instead of a lawn isn’t for everyone. But Dan just wants to grab our attention and get us to start to make some changes at least in the way we care for the turfgrass we do want in our landscapes. And maybe give up a little square footage of it to some other kind of more diverse planting, too, like the wild strawberries (Fragaria virginiana, inset). Alternative, more eco-focused styles of lawn care, along with some lawn alternatives is what he and I talked about on the podcast. Dan is Director of Applied Ecology at Norcross Wildlife Foundation in Wales, Massachusetts, and its 8,000-acre sanctuary. He’s also co-author with Mark Richardson of the book “Native Plants for New England Gardens.”
(Stream it below, read the illustrated transcript or subscribe free.)
I couldn’t agree more. Here in lower Michigan, we are having the same type of weather. Today is was grey, raining and 50 degrees. Hardly fitting for Dec 16th. I am already itching to get out into the garden and start my new plans for the season.
I love your blog. Thanks for sharing!
Nice to “meet” you, Susan. So hoping for the Big Chill over here!
Cute and true.
My sentiments exactly. Yesterday I went into the backyard and messed around with the bird feeders. That’s as exciting as it got.
You sound like a mason bee Margaret! Staying in your cocoon, bored to death, but waiting with anticipation the upcoming spring to do all chores… busy as a bee can get!
Thanks for saying hello, Dave. I don’t know much about mason bees…must learn more!
I’m back visiting my parents during grad school winter break. They are so far behind with fall chores that I am grateful for the warm weather–it gives me the opportunity to cut down the herbaceous perennials and put down the mulch that is blocking the driveway! Once I’m done with that, I will be doing snow dances. We need a real winter!
Me too!! The bird feeders and the amaryllis just aren’t doing it but I am getting a lot of knitting done. Am excited for your new book!!
Not bored today. We’re having unseasonably warm weather so I stuck a batch of garlic in the ground cause I was out of town when they should have been planted so I figured “Why not try it”, but best of all planted spinach and arugula in a raised bed, placed an old sliding patio door over it and feel so good with dirt under my fingernails. Love doing this cause it feels like I’m cheating!