TALK ABOUT A SWASHBUCKLING APPROACH TO PRUNING. Apparently Andre the Doodler has a heavier hand than I do in such matters–and a bigger blade. I do hope he’s following the tactics in my Pruning FAQs. That headstrong boy!
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.)
:-O
ahaha I have an antique hand scythe I use for cutting down pesky weeds, and getting some anger worked out at the same time. Never quite thought about pruning with it, though…
Welcome, Claire. Yes, I think Andre’s gone all machete on us. :) Hope to see you soon again…and a scythe is a beautiful tool, isn’t it? A friend of mine actually uses his and is good at it and it’s a gorgeous thing to see, a slice of history or so it feels.
Mm, yes. :D I adore scythes. I should be around, in fact I think I might have commented before, under a different name…hehe. I positively love all of Andre’s work, and tend to stalk everything he does. ^.^
I am not allowed to use the machete anymore.
and the mad bush that cannot be tamed shall soon be no longer ours and so I will just be in charge of the snowblower
Not to worry you Andre (or the missus), but power tools can sometimes have a mind of their own.
=)