Bringing Nature Home
8 months ago
last modified: last month
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (119)
- 21 days agolast modified: 21 days ago
- 21 days ago
Related Discussions
Need an overall 'natives' strategy (Michigan)
Comments (9)MaryLiz: Sounds like an exciting project - you sound like you have a lot of great information already, and a plan of action. Here are some thoughts and suggestions based on my limited experience on a very small plot in eastern Mass. (1) I used John Diekelmann's Natural Landscaping: Designing with Native Plant Communities as my guide. Although some of it was over my head, I found dozens of useful points, plus lists of plants in the back, categorized by type of community (oak-hickory forest, mesic grassland, savanna, etc.). But I also took the advice of the book (and folks at GardenWeb) and learned about the native plants that actually live in my area now. I did this by using field guides and by exploring natural areas (state parks, etc.) to identify what was living in sites similar to mine. (2) As for your book's philosophy that non-invasive aliens are 'bad' too, I feel like that's a matter of semantics. The irises in my front yard non-native garden aren't actively 'bad' for the environment, but they don't do much good either (although you'd be surprised how many native insects and birds enjoy feasting on non-native plants). But for me the more important question is, what plants and animals have evolved together over thousands of years to form a community? These species have slowly pieced together a multi-faceted mosaic with countless connections and interrelationships. There are no places in the mosaic to fit non-native plants and animals - they fit into other mosaics, other communities, where they have evolved, usually far away from here. So one way of native plant gardening (and it is only one of many ways - your way is another) is to plant only those species that are part of the community that you've identified as native to your area and your site conditions. Then, the frustrating part is finding places that sell the plants you identified. (3) As for 'select aliens', I would ask around in the various GardenWeb forums covering your desired landscape type. Woodlands and Meadows & Prairies are two good ones. Folks there will probably steer you to natives, but you'll probably be able to get some advice about aliens/exotics that will behave themselves in among the natives. I've never heard of an invasive hosta, for example (watch someone prove me wrong!). Best of luck, wd...See MoreIs it berries or insects?
Comments (6)This book sounds fantastic. As I have become more involved with restoring native plants, creating a wildlife habitat, and learning about birds in particular, I realized that the primary food source for most birds in Spring-Summer-Fall is insects. Beneficial insects serve important purposes in the garden too. Most people are enchanted with birds and butterflies, but do they realize the chemicals they are dumping on their lawn or gardens are killing important food sources for birds and well as killing the birds and pollinators themselves?? Using native plants, gardening organically, and also creating natural or wild areas are critical. I let leaf litter, sticks and branches, and dead trees alone. I am planning to increase wild areas of native grasses and forbs. I have brush piles, and plan to grow many native vines. The thickets of vines, dead branches, and dense shrubbery in my yard are some of the most attractive areas for the birds. Not in the front yard, that is more cultivated(still full of native plants as well as non-natives, and leaves, compost, and pine straw for mulch). Most of this is in the large back yard. Some people think an overgrown area is messy-looking. To me, it is beautiful. It is the monocultures of chemical lawns, the overly manicured green meatball shrubs, and obsessively tidy gardens of non-native plants that look - well, not so beautiful....See MoreButterfly garden advocate
Comments (61)Hello, All. I have just moved to St. Paul for a new job, and had to leave my beautiful butterfly/pollinator garden behind. I will be living in a downtown apartment for the foreseeable future, so I'm looking for ways to stay active in pollinator gardening. As I searched for local groups, I came across one that holds regular conferences. Doug Tallamy is speaking next month!!! I can't wait to meet/hear him. Iris, re seed sources, I have had great luck with seed trading with folks here on GardenWeb/Houzz. Go to the exchange forums and check them out. Also, once my husband follows me here, he will bring my box of native seeds. I have far more than I need, and would be happy to share. It might be up to a month before I have my seeds, though. Martha...See MoreBooks, movies or shows that changed you?
Comments (25)“A Language Older Than Words” by Derrick Jensen. Felt like something written by a kindred soul, really incredible. And he’s alive and can be reached on Facebook! He has a lot of other good books, too. Especially “Thought To Exist in the Wild” and “Dreams”. I also had an astounding experience at a poetry reading when I was in college. Most times readings are pleasant, at best, or thought-provoking, but James Tate’s poetry reading was HILARIOUS. Not in a cheesy jokey way, but in a surreal, absurd, and shockingly silly way. The crazy imagery/scenarios would just build and build until the entire audience (it was a big audience) was roaring with laughter, including me. And I do not generally laugh easily, at least not deep belly laughs (I’m one of those quiet laughers). I don’t even know how he did it because when you just read his poetry on your own it’s pleasant and amusing but not laugh out loud funny! It was a really special experience perhaps once in a lifetime. I feel grateful to have been part of it!...See More- 20 days ago
- 20 days agolast modified: 20 days ago
- 20 days ago
- 18 days agolast modified: 18 days ago
- 18 days ago
- 17 days ago
- 17 days agolast modified: 17 days ago
- 17 days agolast modified: 17 days ago
- 16 days agolast modified: 16 days ago
- 16 days ago
- 16 days agolast modified: 16 days ago
- 16 days agolast modified: 16 days ago
- 14 days agolast modified: 14 days ago
- 14 days ago
- 13 days ago
- 13 days ago
- 13 days agolast modified: 13 days ago
- 12 days agolast modified: 12 days ago
- 12 days ago
- 12 days ago
- 12 days ago
- 12 days agolast modified: 12 days ago
- 12 days ago
- 10 days ago
- 10 days agolast modified: 10 days ago
- 10 days ago
- 10 days ago
- 9 days ago
- 9 days agolast modified: 9 days ago
- 9 days agolast modified: 9 days ago
- 9 days ago
- 8 days ago
- 8 days ago
- 8 days agolast modified: 8 days ago
- 8 days ago
- 8 days agolast modified: 7 days agoJay 6a Chicago thanked dandy_line (Z3b N Cent Mn)
- 5 days agolast modified: 5 days ago
- 5 days ago
- 4 days ago
- 4 days ago
- 4 days ago
- 4 days ago
- 4 days agolast modified: 3 days ago
- 2 days agolast modified: 2 days ago
- yesterday
- yesterday
- 3 minutes ago
Related Stories
TASTEMAKERSBook to Know: 'Bringing Nature Home'
Florals, fruits and flowering branches lend natural luxury as botanical arrangements for the home
Full StoryDECORATING GUIDESBring Out Your Home’s Wild Side
Enjoy some creature comforts with these animal-inspired designs
Full StoryGREAT HOME PROJECTSHow to Bring Out Your Home’s Character With Trim
New project for a new year: Add moldings and baseboards to enhance architectural style and create visual interest
Full StoryEXTERIORS10 Ways to Bring Charm to Your Home’s Exterior
Give your facade, driveway or garage doors a more appealing look to make a strong first impression
Full StoryWOODHealthy Home: Wood and Stone Are Naturals in Home Design
Discover why this mix of earthy materials feels so right
Full StoryHOUZZ TOURSHouzz Tour: Nature Suggests a Toronto Home’s Palette
Birch forests and rocks inspire the colors and materials of a Canadian designer’s townhouse space
Full StoryARCHITECTUREFeel-Good Home: Curves Follow Nature’s Lead
See what happens when you leave straight lines behind
Full StoryHOUZZ TOURSUpside-Down Plan Brings Light Into a Home’s Living Spaces
An architect raises the roof and adds a third-story addition to an Edwardian house in San Francisco
Full StoryACCESSORIESOn Trend: Bring Spring Indoors With Nature-Inspired Furnishings
Energize your home with patterns, materials and colors borrowed from the outdoors, no matter what the weather is doing
Full StorySponsored
Jay 6a ChicagoOriginal Author