DO WE GARDENERS REALLY THINK THE PLANTS believe us when we say, “This won’t hurt a bit” or, “It’s for your own good”? If deadheading were really for their benefit, wouldn’t they do it themselves? This is not the first time our Andre Jordan has doodled on the subject–though the last was more a stealth mission, under cover of darkness, remember? Let me remind you:
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.)
That second image just slays me. I like it so much.
And, husbands beware! It’s good to keep them on their toes.
Hi, Jodi. Glad to provide some smiles! Hope to see you again soon.
hahaha!… in all seriousness, though… I keep wondering if browsing animals would do some of the deadheading in the wild, some of the pruning. Although I realize that part of the reason to deadhead is to keep the plant from pouring all its energy into making seeds.
Good point, why don’t they do it themselves? Now I feel a little cruel!
What they don’t know, of course, is deadheading actually causes them a lot more work. They have to put on a whole new set of flowers in order to produce seeds and reproduce.
But, we work awfully hard to keep them alive as well. Perhaps it is fair that they work for a living.
Anytime I deadhead, I giggle and am reminded of the story out of San Francisco — An ad was put out asking for volunteer deadheaders to work some public garden spaces, and to meet up with clippers. The gardeners were joined by an army of tie-dyed young hippies, clippers in hand, not really sure why they were called. But evidently all had a great time! here’s the article: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/09/20/BAT519NKC0.DTL&feed=rss.homeandgarden
Jenn, too funny!!
these are great. i felt kinda guilty for deadheading after seeing that first illustration. i have a tendency to speak to my plants as if they can communicate back. now i am really going to be ultra sensitive!
Welcome, Bianca. Andre always makes me smile, and I suspect the plants are OK with the deadheading! :) Hope to see you again soon.
plants love me – i think it’s because i always share my tea with them in the afternoons.
deadheading is absolute therapy. I love doing it. I crave it at times….
Wow, these are great!
I remember my mom used to dead head and it seemed like the right thing to do, now I am torn.
Welcome, Deepersoil. Don’t worry; I’m still deadheading here. Andre just always takes the “other” point of view and gives voices to the plants/animals/all of it to make me laugh (and think).
Deadheading is one of those tedious tasks I hate — I’ve been known to do it with the weed eater to speed things along… Now I think I’ll just give it up in honor of Andre and plant love…
FUNNY ! …. THANKS FOR THE DOODLES !
I do selective “deadheading”, mostly on my annuals. Enjoyed the cartoons by Andre. So good to keep our sense of humor and yes, I do think the plants know we love them and just want to enjoy their beauty longer!
Welcome, Carolyn. Agree! And I am selective, too — some things look good with their seedheads on, I think, and also I want some things to sow around for next year. Hope to see you soon again.
I left allium stalks up…and dried in the fall, were rather beautiful.
Louise