GOOD FENCES MAKE GOOD NEIGHBORS or some such wisdom, but what do they do to marriages? Apparently, fences provoke “discussion.” Like this one. Guess who is winning (hint: her hair is looking a little unruly today)? Thanks, Andre the doodler, for another peek into your psyche, if not your actual outer world.
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.)
might be based on our ‘actual outer world’.
Might be.
Good fences make good neighbors, according to Robert Frost.
Good ol’ Robert didn’t have the neighbors I do, who, in order to ‘hide’ the fact that they were building a shed without a permit or inspections, tacked on a 4 foot extension to the top of the fence between our yards as well as the one across the side that faces the street.
It does, however, keep their pair of dachsunds neatly contained. Of course, so did the original fence as dachsunds are notoriously short of leg.
Sigh.
Welcome, Roadchick. Nice to see you here. :) Sounds like they are doing a great job of “hiding” their secrets. Oh, dear. Makes me smile to think what height of fence a dachshund really requires; what an image. See you soon, I hope. No extra-tall fences here.
What do fences do to marriages? Nothing good. We installed a new fence and I was just beginning to think about what color to stain it. Next thing I know, my other half is out their painting it burnt orange. I walked out there aghast and all he could say was (proudly): “I got this free from my dad’s garage.” This fence color doesn’t just fade into the background of our small yard. I can’t wait to move.
Christine in Alaska
Welcome, Christine. “Free from my dad’s garage” just about says it all. Ouch! Sounds like you had better stumble on some paint in someone else’s garage and erase his misdeeds. :) Glad to see you all the way from Alaska, and hope you won’t be a stranger.
I resonate with the drawing. Until it snowed, though, I never knew this was happening. All of a sudden, there were dog and people tracks in the backyard not by us. One day, I put two and two together: it was Poppy (the escapee) and her master.
Ominous to outsiders and prohibitive to deer = massive WIN!
The newst dog to live at this address climbs the fence.
@Andrew’s mother: Hilarious (or maybe not so). How are you? Spring springing there in Michigan yet? Nice to “see” you.