WHAT EXACTLY IS GOING ON OUT THERE IN NEBRASKA with our favorite newlyweds, Andre Jordan and his bride, The Newly Mrs. Jordan? Actually, I know that only good things are happening (including just acquiring their very own backyard to dig holes in!); sometimes a doodle is just a doodle, people. But while we’re on the topic, anybody digging themselves into any holes lately, for better or for worse?
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.)
Nope, but I just wrote a post on my Dutch garden blog about the fact that no digging is needed in the garden. ;-) Of course, if you want to put something in the ground like a big shrub, a pond or a undearly departed, then digging is necessary. For the rest, not so much. :-D
Margaret, I think my husband would relate to this, when I am digging up builders rubble – the hole just keeps getting deeper!
Best wishes Sylvia (England)
Have you offered to take her plant shopping?
actually, it’s more likely to be me digging the big hole and for my wife to be wondering why I’m in the garden, digging, at three in the morning.
(I’m quite dramatic)
I think the urge to garden at 3am is like the urge to clean at 3am. Sometimes you just can’t sleep, so what better way to pass the time… well, I can think of one better way. But my husband needs his beauty rest. (wink)
Yes, actually have made 3 rather large ones taking out 3 rose bushes. I’ve quite had it with hybrid tea roses. Making holes can be very therapeutic.
I find I am digging myself out of holes more than into them lately ;)
My 5 yr. old grandson has been having a great time digging holes in my as yet unplanted vegetable garden. He has a child size, long-handled shovel and has the best time. After years of twice yearly compost additions and all the freeze/thaw cycles this winter (zone 5), it is super easy to dig in.
My cat is having a ball out there, digging and rolling around, now that the soil is thawed out. And he seems as dedicated as I am, for his own reasons, to keeping his litterbox activities where they belong. So everybody wins — he has fun and I get a little help prepping the soil.