EVEN THE BUDDHA OUT BACK GETS UP TO HIS EARS during the run-up to the holidays. And now on top of everything else, there’s shoveling and sanding and salting to do, since it’s the first real snow day here. If only they wouldn’t play “Let It Snow!” so much this time of year, I might stand a chance of being ready by the 25th!
I WATCHED A ZOOM lecture the other day that really put into words a lot of the ways my own deepening understanding of ecology is shaking up the way I practice horticulture—from spring cleanup, right on to the last chore of the active year. The lecturer was Rebecca McMackin, director of horticulture for Brooklyn Bridge Park in New York City, where she leads the team that manages 85 acres of diverse parkland with a central focus on habitat creation of woodlands, wetlands, and meadows to build soils and support birds, butterflies, and other organisms.
We talked about the dynamic tactics they use and when and why–a whole different approach to spring cleanup, where the life cycles of animals (from insects on up) dictate what happens when, garden maintenance-wise. Like why some things don’t get cut back, and others that are still seed-laden when they do have their seeds collected and set aside, then returned to the spot after whatever cleanup is needed there.
(Stream it below, read the illustrated transcript or subscribe free.)
Margaret — as we wait for our first serious snow, I feel your pain! And drat, I didn’t get my anti-desiccant on yet, but at least I’ve swaddled the viburnum davidii. Otherwise, they protest a bit too much when we get a too-cold winter here.
Please…..more on those BBC crime series. Alas, I am unconvinced that there is life after Blood in the Wire and MI-5. Recommendations??
Welcome, Linda. Yes, in the weekly newsletter I mentioned that I am addicted to BBC crime series of various forms. Wire in the Blood and MI-5 are among my favorites, but I have just been all the way through Foyle’s War (WWII period piece, police drama), and of course years ago watched all of Prime Suspect and then the other show that its creator did: Trial and Retribution (gritty, not nearly as good, but tons of episodes over many seasons), and the Brit version of Cold Case, called Waking the Dead and and and and and … oh, I loved Cracker (a crime series). Loved.
I will have to go to my Netflix history and look at all the things I have watched and get more names.
I would gladly take your snow!!!!