IF THE WEATHER EVER COOPERATES here, I know what I plan to do: divide and conquer! (Conquer beds, that is, with divided-up groundcovers.) A recap of some favorites that I rely on:
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 am a new gardener just starting out and would like to invite you to my blog.
Welcome, Madeline. I’ve linked your name back to your url. Nice to meet you — and I will come have a visit. :)
I will not be able to make it to your talk at Cylburn in Baltimore tomorrow night. Spring is a busy time on the farm, and I must be here to get seeds in the ground. And I’d just fall asleep if I tried to attend and hear you. Have fun!
Oh, you cost me so much money, do you know that? Every time you post something new, I just know I’ll be throwing money at a nursery somewhere. Luckily, I think I’ve got everything posted here covered. But seriously, thank you. I have learned a ton from you and I think my newly acquired but heavily neglected yard will thank you as well.
Thank you for this post so much specific info. Dale
Some nice suggestions, one can never have too much ground cover.
Our garden is maturing quite nicely now so we are able to create new lower levels for planting as shrubs and trees are getting much taller.
Hi, Gaz. I am dividing and spreading madly over here. Must reduce bare spots! :)
Hi, Margaret! Just found your site and this post, and was initially all mad that I didn’t find it last week before my trek to the garden center for plants for my new shady beds. Now I feel smug because I actually just bought a lot of your recommended plants. Now if I only had any kind of knack for arranging them…
Hi, Potato Queen. Great minds think alike. :) Nice to see you and hear about your shopping expedition. Sounds very successful!
Wonderful writing aside, I just love your down to earth wit.
Freezing with you in Portland Maine!
Rachel