Super post, and happy to be able to say "what lawn?" in the quiz. I didn't know about the butterfly potential in leaf drop, but have observed a great many small hopping spiders that seem to love oak leaves. Hedgehogs hide in there too. I've recently created several hugel beds with older and dead branches, the advantage of which is that if you pile the bed high enough, you don't have to crouch so much to tend to it.
Thank you, Rebecca! Did you try clicking through to the article? The Times let’s you read 20 articles a month for free (and more if you go to them through the paper’s social media feeds).
I have been preaching and practicing most of these things for years. Good on you for emphasizing them. That said, the idea of only cutting a third of the meadow every year would not work at Puddock Hill (where we cut every March/April) for the simple and horrible reason that porcelainberry would take over the unmowed areas in the interim. It's a real conundrum.
Thank you for confirming my dislike of mulch! Another reason I dislike it is that I really don't like digging it out or pushing it aside when I'm putting in new plants - it usually gives me splinters (because I'm bad about wearing gloves). And this fall instead of putting all our leaves on the established gardens I'm going to pile leaves where I want a new garden to be next spring - great idea! Loved the I Love Lucy bit at the end. :)
Other than using herbicides, which I will not do, there is no other regime I know of besides cutting, but doing so inevitably affects nearby natives and the arthropods that rely upon them. That's my point. If you know of a non-herbicide regime that does not involve occasional mowing/brush hogging/string trimming, I'm all ears!
Super post, and happy to be able to say "what lawn?" in the quiz. I didn't know about the butterfly potential in leaf drop, but have observed a great many small hopping spiders that seem to love oak leaves. Hedgehogs hide in there too. I've recently created several hugel beds with older and dead branches, the advantage of which is that if you pile the bed high enough, you don't have to crouch so much to tend to it.
I forgot about hugel beds! Another great use for dead branches. Thank you. And your yard sounds lovely.
Love the post... wish I could read the NYT article about a winter garden, but don’t have a subscription so it’s pay-walled.
Thank you, Rebecca! Did you try clicking through to the article? The Times let’s you read 20 articles a month for free (and more if you go to them through the paper’s social media feeds).
Ooh not on my ipad but yes on my iMac!!! lol who ever knows!!
Loved the quiz!
I have been preaching and practicing most of these things for years. Good on you for emphasizing them. That said, the idea of only cutting a third of the meadow every year would not work at Puddock Hill (where we cut every March/April) for the simple and horrible reason that porcelainberry would take over the unmowed areas in the interim. It's a real conundrum.
Good point that other regimes may be necessary to control invasives! Thanks.
Thank you for confirming my dislike of mulch! Another reason I dislike it is that I really don't like digging it out or pushing it aside when I'm putting in new plants - it usually gives me splinters (because I'm bad about wearing gloves). And this fall instead of putting all our leaves on the established gardens I'm going to pile leaves where I want a new garden to be next spring - great idea! Loved the I Love Lucy bit at the end. :)
Thank you! Yes, splinters are another downside of bark mulch!
Other than using herbicides, which I will not do, there is no other regime I know of besides cutting, but doing so inevitably affects nearby natives and the arthropods that rely upon them. That's my point. If you know of a non-herbicide regime that does not involve occasional mowing/brush hogging/string trimming, I'm all ears!
I'm glad the mowing is working for you! I have no other suggestions:)