THERE IS SIMPLY NOTHING TO SAY in response to this latest and greatest of Andre Jordan’s outbursts but this: I shower daily, sir. (All Andre’s doodle, both passive-aggressive or kinder-gentler in tone, are here.)
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FROM THE WEEKLY PODCAST
rethinking the lawn, with dan wilder
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.)
Regarding point number four: The plants won’t understand or the friends won’t? It worries me if it’s the plants…that means that your friends don’t talk to their plants. :-)
Oh, heck, I keep forgetting!
Washing is key, but the garden boots in a restaurant can be very chic.
Point #2: speak normal – has become abnormal to an avid gardener.
#4 is so unfair, and I have had first-hand experience of it. We’re expected to talk to our friends’ pets, and yet somehow talking to their plants is a bridge too far? *sigh*
Sarah O – Prince Charles talks to his plants. It worries most of the nation.
Susan – just between you and me, I think if I were to see a girl in a posh restaurant wearing garden boots, I’d fall head over heels in love.
I’m with Susan and am glad Andre approves as MY garden boots are HOT PINK! I’m just sayin.
I can’t seem to talk about anything but the garden (wait, though it does, for spring) and our little Beagle. People nod, smile, and go look for that bar. As for the unwashed bit, between the garden and a passion for rock climbing, there’s not much hope (and I wore my Mountain Khakis to work today…).
Andre, I will remember to wear my garden boots
Andre – oh, they shouldn’t be concerned, at least not until he develops an inordinately close relationship with his Scottish gardener, retreats to some island estate, and starts communicating through flower posies. ;)
Love it !
Me, too, Mann. EVEry time I go inside and wash up, I think of this and smile.
Wash?
I thought the English were passionate gardeners. Do they not talk to their plants? (Or are they just too straitlaced to admit it?)
my garden boots, steel-capped and somewhat ripped on top are regulars everywhere…the washing is more of a challenge as we’re in an extended Big Dry. i’d call it a drought, except that most years are like this and you’d think the label “drought” would be an exceptional tag for an exceptional circumstance.
so the challenge here is to become clean[er] while using only teacups of water…that are carefully saved in the washbowl and transferred to whichever plant is sobbing loudest in the garden…
Welcome, India. I send my rain dance your way, and my nasty, ripped-up garden boots send their best to yours as well. Do come again and see us here.
i would have to add to this, don’t weed in public places, like on your way into the library.
Oh my, does this post “hit home.” It just dawned on me why my husband and I don’t do social activities over Memorial Day because we are usually planting. We have 3 adult children and 4 adorable grandchildren but never invite them over Memorial Day weekend, I’m ashamed to say. Anne has the perfect addition to the list. I will start weeding the landscaping at restaurants, even, without thinking; dressed in my Sunday best, no less!
Guilty.
I loved this. Although I would add to wash (from personal experience) “Clean under your fingernails”. Even with gardening gloves on, somehow this is still an issue.
And I am totally into talking to plants. Especially when unpacking them from shipping. They need the encouragement, IMO.
I always wash but the dirt under my nails remains….until fall.
Everyone does not talk to their plants?
Everyone around here does. :)
HOW ABOUT A QUESTION? I was stirred inside when I read the Times’ article on flower pressing—back to a time with my grandma. What a warm memory. I often develop a fondness for something that I think is unique to me—only to reminded, much later—that what I thought was unique is actually a resurfaced affinity from another time or person (grandma). As with flower-pressing—now I CAN DO THAT! But I was disappointed that the article/ column did not mention something that I remember vividly: the powder, corn starch (or some other powder substance) that aided in the drying process—and had to be shaken free from the dried flowers before arranging behind a glass. Did I dream it—or was that ever part of the process? Thank you! Jody
Silica gel is one powder some people use. I have read about Borax mixed with cornstarch and various other concoctions, but do not not the details.