ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON admonished us: “Judge each day not by the harvest you reap but by the seeds you plant.” It is a good day when we get to express our faith by sowing seeds, no? Have you sown any yet this midwinter, with the coming garden in mind? (Thanks to Andre Jordan for today’s doodle.)
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 have…the greenhouse is full of plants patiently awaiting their transplanting by the signs of the moon..
Yes, one flat is up and growing happily under lights, one flat was sown today. It doesn’t matter if I have only a windowsill to grow veggies on or have a quarter acre garden, I HAVE to sow seeds this time of year. It gets me through the February doldrums…
Not yet starting seeds. A little more snow needs to melt before I can get my supplies from the garden shed. Also it is not quite time to start many things. Trying to hold off on them until March but it is soon time to start some Caramel Angelo violas in my cool and dark back bedroom.
Just some swiss chard in an old pot. Trying hard not to jump the gun when I really want a juicy summer tomato. February is the worst!
onions, leeks and shallots, oh my!
After seeing an article about re-using salad containers to grow baby lettuces, I couldn’t resist. So I’ve got three little boxes growing under the lights. But I’m still waiting a bit longer to start the brassicas.
Great idea, Hannah. Recycling! Thanks for saying hello.
Not yet but this weekend planning to do my primula seeds from the APS seed exchange.
Thanks, Andre, for great words to live by. There are many seeds in my life.
Andre, don’t forget to check if the seeds need cold and/or warm stratification, also whether to scatter said seeds before or after last frost. Faith is good, but a little homework doesn’t hurt.
I have indoor carnivorous plants I pulled out of winter hibernation AKA the down stair fridge, lol and I am starting my tomatoes and such indoors soon! I can’t wait to get outside to be able to work in the dirt!