Yesterday I was walking through the garden making notes of what needed to be done this Autumn. I was picking at this and that and looking forward to the cutting back and clearing out.
After a a DELICIOUS LUNCH was finished, I sat down for a little reading and came upon THIS article at Gardenista. Which then led to THIS one. Both articles seem to be radical "new" ways to garden but actually the ideas they contain are very natural and have been used for generations. I love this approach. I've been fighting my garden conditions since the day I set foot on the property. I invite you to read the articles and see how you feel about them.
This is my new plan of action, or should I say inaction...
1. Don't cut back anything til spring
2. Don't amend my soil
3. Let fallen leaves stay where they are
4. Overall just stop fussing with my garden
😲😲😲😲😲
I'm always in awe of how gardening mimics life in general.
Acceptance is the answer to all my problems. xo
Brilliant and lovely. xoxoxox.
ReplyDeleteYou may find the book The Humane Gardener enjoyable - it promotes the basic tenets you listed.
ReplyDeleteI will read the articles later, because that is more my approach to gardening. I never cut back perennials until about mid-spring. Many of the seed heads are necessary food for birds & various small critters. I never amend the soil...more just laziness on my part though. I remove leaves from grassy areas only & find that with my woodsy property I am creating more & more large leafy areas...especially under big trees. I agree that it makes much more sense. And overly manicured yards give no food or shelter to wildlife. Love the pic of the natural beauty of autumn...my favorite season.
ReplyDeleteAnita ~ the cabin on the creek
Do less, take a nap - I like this kind of gardening! Hope you are well.
ReplyDeleteI was so excited to see a new article. Yes I agree on the garden.
ReplyDeleteThe heat has taken a toll on my garden but my roses seem to flourish. Loved your delicious meal as well and you always inspire me to find a Fall clothing treasure
Like you found for $1.
Thank you for your kind words about
My husband's illness. Our new normal. I pray for you and your husband. I have enjoyed past Fall posts as well. Thank you. Nancy
In England, where they know how to garden, leaves are left overwinter- no tidying up beds. Also, the birds and pollinators need something to eat in fall and into winter, too- I let my plants stand till they wilt with frost.
ReplyDeleteSending good thoughts.
I'm really hearing you there - - acceptance, and simplicity.
ReplyDeleteBut, here, north of you, we can't not trim back til Spring as it's too much of a fire hazard (hillside); the awful continuing drought with no rain and the Santa Ana winds still to come, hot and dry, Sept-Nov. But my husband is a big believer in mulch in terms of leaving leaves to lay, like at the base of certain trees and, lately, he cuts the back grass without a catcher to let the mowed parts stay on the lawn.
Your perfect/imperfect autumn plant/fruit/berry? photo is wonderful, and it's so great to hear from you, Janet; continued wishes for all things good for you...
always so good to see your post in my mail box!
ReplyDeleteand I agree. it seems a more humane and natural way to garden and care for the creatures of the world... all sizes and kinds! and still it can come alive in the spring! the soil renews itself and all the garden has rested. a good metaphor for life. XOXO
Oh my gosh - genius!
ReplyDeleteI’m so happy to say I already do most of the things mentioned in the articles. I’m not one that wants to spend hours or tons of money weeding and watering so I learned that means going with what works in this area. The exception is I do cut back the hostas and ferns in late fall. Our crazy weather here go from snow covered to sudden bursts of warm weather and lots of new growth fast. If I wait to trim them back in the spring it damages too much of the new growth. I have an intense dislike for mulch. I know most people love it. I’ve attended lectures through Ohio State Horticulture Department and they always Lecture about the ills of how most people mulch tress. My biggest bug killer is toads!! They come out at night and completely eliminate the slugs. We have a new yard so this means paying attention to what will work here! It can be a bit intimidating. Best, Kathy - Kacarr
ReplyDeleteI tend to clean up leaves, but definitely don't trim the plants as I do like to leave seed heads, etc for the birds. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.
ReplyDeleteYOU GOT IT FIGURED OUT LADY!!!!!!!!!YOU HAD IT FIGURED OUT ALONG TIME AGO LIKE 2012........with ONE DOLLAR SWEAT SHIRT and ONE DOLLAR JEANS........do you still have them or did they get TOSSED in the clean out?XX
ReplyDeleteThe longer I've gardened the more I've adopted some of these ideas. I plant ground covers to eliminate the need to mulch and I've tried to plant what thrives in my area. I don't cut everything down in the fall, but a few plants I do. For example, here in Michigan Hostas become mushy after a few frosts and it's easier to take care of them in the fall. Other plants that are susceptible to mildew, like Phlox, I cut back. I trimmed a lot of plants back to 2 or 3 feet last year and the stalks were so pretty in the winter snow. It sure makes gardening easier and more enjoyable when we learn to accept what works with what we have and where we live. Like you say...a little like life. I enjoyed the articles you linked to. Thanks for sharing, Janet. I always enjoy your posts.
ReplyDeleteIsn't acceptance the key to most EVERYTHING! So good to hear from you. xo
ReplyDeleteHa! Those last two paragraphs in particular sum up a lot about how best to live life indeed. Needed to hear that myself. TY.
ReplyDeleteGreat dollar clothes ease too btw.
Love this post. xo
I always pruned back the second week in January, spring is a new concept but I’ll give it a try... like all gardening the newness bloom.
ReplyDeleteLové the beauty in your garden gatherings.
Xx
Doré
Lovely post Janet, wanted to read this today !! Thank you 😊
ReplyDeleteI've been reading "The Book of Joy" by Douglas Abrams with the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. I found the chapter on acceptance especially useful, and it sounds like you might too. It's a worthwhile read. Sending you positive thoughts from New England.
ReplyDeleteKaren
Read both pieces on Gardenista as well and decided to give it a try. Can't decide if I am being rebellious or lazy...ha! Maybe a little of both. Let me know how it works for you~
ReplyDeleteI plan on spending some time reading both articles, but I only tidy up a few plants in the fall, leaving most for the birds. Everything gets buried under many inches of snow eventually. I have been inspired by the book "Dream Plants for the Natural Garden" by Piet Oudolf. It changed the way I want to garden.
ReplyDeleteHi Janet! Always love reading a new post from you! Was familiar with the two articles you referenced but as an avid gardener for many years, I have learned to "listen" to what my particular landscape tells me it needs! Also, the authors of those two articles live & garden in completely different garden zones so you have to take that into account as well. Since we live in So. Calif. near the coast & had hard clay soil, I did need to amend our soil or not much would flourish. Some years back, I also tried not pruning my perennials until early spring, but since some of them take a while to re-sprout new growth & blooms (like my Wallflowers), I went back to giving them a pruning in late Fall or early Jan. Otherwise, they looked sad that they were not covered with flowers like their other neighbors! This past Spring after attending a local garden show, I noticed the most fabulous looking mulch at one home - it was horse manure, blended with wood shavings & hay! After talking with the landscape designer there, we bought bags & bags from the stables - Serrano Creek Equestrian Center in Lake Forest, Ca if anyone is close by & interested - & I have never seen such lush, healthy growth, blooms & gorgeous, fragrant roses before in my garden! So I will continue to "mulch" with that fabulous stuff! Just like with so many things, I may try someone's advice but ultimately do what seems right & works best.
ReplyDeleteAs always, am keeping both you & your husband close in mind & heart. Sending much love!
Kathy
Dear Janet, thank you for this timely gardening refresher/motivator. While I would love to refrain completely from fall clean up, it's difficult to resist the urge to be "out there." In our small community of tidy "landscaped" yards, mine is the "wild" one with perennial beds. So, I feel a need to eventually accomplish some degree of fall clean-up. This year, I will seek a level of restraint. Fall planting intrigues me. New knowledge always is welcome and necessary. Good luck to us all.
ReplyDeleteAnd, warmest wishes to you and Larry.
Linda
So love the simple elegance of your writing that never fails to both inspire and cause reflection... there is something about a garden that is profoundly important. Beautiful and yet inscrutable, there is much to learn from a garden if one is patient and observant. And nothing else so perfectly reflects the seasons of our lives... xo Debbie
ReplyDeleteStill in the 90's in South Carolina so the weeds are growing and the leaves are falling. I think nature is confused!
ReplyDeleteAlways a good day when there is a post from Janet!
Love and prayers to you and Larry XOXOXO
Yes, acceptance. thank you for reminding me Janet. You and Larry are always in my thoughts and prayers.
ReplyDeleteDarby
Hi Janet! so happy to hear you are still gardening. I have thought of you and Larry so much. Oddly when I was going through a similar time in my life, one day I left the hospital went home and planted about 40 new potato seedlings. Well yes about 4 months later I made potato salad. Gardening is a gift and it does sooth the sole I believe. That is why I find it so hard to give up. Larry knows best with regard to his treatment BTW. It is so hard to be the advocate for your own life and well being at times. Sorry if this is too long or I'm not expressing myself correctly. Just thinking of you and wish I was closer. Hugs are good and they don't cost a thing ;))and I would like to give you one!
ReplyDeletexo kel
Yes! So very true, acceptance is key! I can't thank you enough for that, Janet. I really needed the reminder. Bless you and all your loved ones.
ReplyDeleteR.