THEY UNDERSTAND every word. Don’t think they don’t. As we gardeners walk around muttering, pondering new homes (or the compost!) for “wrong plants in the wrong place,” they’re quaking in their roots. Really. Thanks, Andre Jordan the Doodler, for the latest creation.
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 a favorite hosta I have moved 11 times in 15 years. Poor thing rallies every time and adjusts somehow!
This is hilarious, I love it! I’ve enjoyed all the cartoons so far, but somehow this one really speaks to me.
When a plant isn’t doing well or worse…it is easy to replace. When YOU change your design or want space to try a new plant….Ah, that’s when the guilt sets in….if you can find a friend to adopt, it is a little easier. But most of us have a hard time saying goodbye to a plant that we once loved and has done well.
This cartoon captures that bittersweet moment perfectly as we thank them for what they have given us, but explain it is time to move on.
I try not to let them see me pondering!