THAT DOODLER FRIEND of ours, Andre Jordan, is so philosophical sometimes (when he’s not being passive-aggressive in one of his naughtier doodles, I mean–you know how wide his range of styles is, right?). But in a harsh year as many of you have experienced this growing season, I think it’s important to remember the sentiment in this Andre masterpiece–and it isn’t a bad reflection for everyday life trials, either. Dig deeper; the goodness is there.
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.)
This morning I planted a new Cercis ‘little woody’. I also cleared an area near the creek where I hope to plant petasites. I am very curious when I plant things to know what is going on below ground and what the future holds. Andre seems to already know while I am still guessing.
Hello, Gardenbug, and yes, that Andre does indeed. I love this doodle; I need to look at it again and again and keep it in mind. Nice to see you!
Love this. Thanks, Andre!
I appreciate Andre’s faith that all is well beneath our feet! Sadly though, here in Virgiia things don’t seem to be quite so good — my prized Japanese maple appears to be dying, after twenty years in my garden. The leaves are all frizzled and yellow, and no amount of water seems to help. A neighbour came by yesterday to wail about his magnolia stellata — enormous, beautiful, old. Large branches are dying, for some reason, and we are thinking drought is the reason. Trying weather, and I hope Andre is right and things will improve.
Good morning , Andres doodle needs to be a T shirt. I would gladly wear it. I volunteer in the Rose garden at the Vanderbilt Estate Eagles Nest in Centerport NY I would wear it there and to my Garden Club meetings.
I love your bluebells!! I think I can grow them here.
Have a lovely Sunday.