T HOUGH I HOPE MY FIGURE IS STILL A TAD BETTER THAN THIS GUY’S, despite all the dark chocolate and fig bars lately, he is definitely on to something: Miracles abound outside the window. Have you had a look today? Thanks, Andre Jordan, for the sweet reminder.
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.)
Thanks, Andre, it’s so true! Just when I thought my clematis ternifolia had drowned over the winter, on Sunday I saw the very tips of three stems peeking through the soil. A miracle!
My peas have started to blossom. And a pepper I cut down to a stump in November (but didn’t uproot, to let everything else in the pot keep going) has regrown in miniature form, and fruited! Bonsai chiles. I think I’ll keep it going.
The chocolate and fig bars are for stamina as you rev up for your big Open Garden date this Sunday, right?! Do you do everything yourself? I so wish I could come stroll… will look through the schedule to see if you have another date later in the summer and then sweettalk my husband into a roadtrip! I wish you clear skies and interesting people :)
Yes, I am looking forward to seeing the lovely garden that you have created Margaret. I am hoping the skies are clearer than they are here and that I am a moderately interesting person….see you Sunday!
oh today has been quite a day. My Mother has come to visit from England and we have spent most of the day looking at the garden and talking about the last 10 months.
I am not sure about fig bars, but the dark chocolate is a must. Looking outside my window this morning, I have more alliums in full bloom. I will see you on Sunday, hoping maybe that the Frogboys might come back for the tour.
Hope to make the trip from central Connecticut to see your garden on Sunday.