IF YOU ARE AN AOL SUBSCRIBER, you may have noticed my familiar face staring at you yesterday from their homepage. If not, you can read the Q&A here that Deborah Dunham did of me, where we cover topics from what it was like working for Martha Stewart, to what I’ve learned about spiders since shacking up with them here in my little old house. Enjoy!
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.)
Great interview Margaret, and you are eloquent and graceful about the personal choices that moved you towards a new life. For me, I think it was all those meetings–and the managing up and down–that finally made me realize that being a chief editor was not my calling, because it left so little room for personal creativity. It certainly works for some people, but for me, I’m much happier freelancing, making time for walking, gardening, cooking, and being in touch with nature every day. And living without as much material stuff or the shopping options is much more freeing than most people realize. Over-stimulation is a bear. These days, I’m careful to say no when I don’t feel like I can devote a good level of energy to something. I also find the rhythms of the day to be so much more natural–working hard for a bit and then doing a little work in the garden…it all makes sense. Thanks again for the reminders, Susie
How I do look forward to your every utterance. Nah! I really like your stuff Nah!
Somewhere in the middle of those.
I really do enjoy your writings, pictures, descriptions, Andre’s wit and artistry, Jack ( ( I have 5 cats—one a tuxedo, about 16 lbs). My tomatoes came out, yesterday, leaving only the cucumbers to struggle with the weather.
The Nasturtiums are more than ready to be divested of their seeds, and the rest of the garden to be cut back next week. Apples and peaches have been distributed–a great many to the Burro farm (this fellow rescues burros) and some few to the neighbors.
And…quite soon, back to the woodworking, which has had to take a back-seat to Summer and her many demands.
Hand me that 120 sandpaper, will you?
Joanna
Hi, Joanna. Maybe the 16-pound Tuxedo is Jack’s twin! Thanks for your note. I haven’t pulled any cukes or tomatoes yet; hoping for another couple of weeks of yield.