FWIW my favorite development since our move is that H has gotten massively into gardening, and even more recently into native plants. Going forward we are planting only native and especially plants that are good for pollenators, butterflies and birds. And we have begun plotting out our gradual lawn replacement plan and have already added clover and wildflowers in some areas.
― longtime caller, first time listener (man alive), Saturday, 10 July 2021 02:01 (two years ago) link
Just started composting as well.
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=nature%27s+best+hope&gclid=CjwKCAjwi9-HBhACEiwAPzUhHELZtaWTJlj0_-7Nitv5EV9KiXUlr8mwnOVQgJPD8oSQKDDDISkLABoCj9IQAvD_BwE&hvadid=409958545374&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9004253&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=17557947266658875369&hvtargid=kwd-780715891398&hydadcr=13631_11415873&tag=googhydr-20&ref=pd_sl_4o3wjs332b_eHave not read yet, wife is reading. Author also runs this:https://homegrownnationalpark.org/
― longtime caller, first time listener (man alive), Wednesday, 21 July 2021 17:45 (two years ago) link
Did you just post the book itself?
― pplains, Wednesday, 21 July 2021 17:48 (two years ago) link
I really want to replace our lawn with native plants as well, kind of intimidated to start on my own since a) I know next to nothing about how to make sure it looks nice too and, b) I have literally the opposite of a green thumb. I've always wanted to get more into gardening, but I can't keep any plants alive.
― a superficial sheeb of intelligence (jon /via/ chi 2.0), Wednesday, 21 July 2021 17:51 (two years ago) link
part of the idea of planting native plants is they are more likely to just stay alive without constant intervention
― Clara Lemlich stan account (silby), Wednesday, 21 July 2021 18:05 (two years ago) link
Haha, I know, but this is how little faith I have in my skills. I understand they generally need a little help at the start though.
― a superficial sheeb of intelligence (jon /via/ chi 2.0), Wednesday, 21 July 2021 18:12 (two years ago) link
In Seattle there's a program that will pay for you to install a rain garden on your property and will help you with the installation; might be worth seeing if there's anything like that near you.
― Lily Dale, Wednesday, 21 July 2021 18:51 (two years ago) link
My wife is just kind of diving in and trying a lot of different plantings. I'm doing my best to help. There's a company called American Meadows she sometimes uses that will send you plants that go together, and in some cases they have seed packs of stuff that grows really easily and is hard to fuck up (like wildflower mixtures).
The book I tried to post above is called Nature's Best Hope, not sure what happened with the link.
We're only just getting started with replacing some of the front lawn, moreso have been planting in rocky areas in our backyard. H is way more the one doing it than me, I just kind of supply labor when I can, but I would say one way to avoid the intimidation factor is just to pick a small patch to start with, maybe something out of the way so it doesn't fuck with the "curb appeal" if you fail.
― longtime caller, first time listener (man alive), Wednesday, 21 July 2021 22:45 (two years ago) link
There may be a Native Plant Society facebook group in your area. They are usually good about offering advice to beginners.
― nickn, Wednesday, 21 July 2021 22:53 (two years ago) link
Actually doesn't have to be local, statewide is fine. I'm in the California group and they give advice for every locale in the state.
― nickn, Wednesday, 21 July 2021 22:55 (two years ago) link
Native plants are just taking off and it's amazing. We have a whole strip of steeply sloped land in between the patio and the terrace above our retaining wall that H just went nuts planting native wildflowers and other native stuff from seed, and it went from being this kind of scrubby, rocky, vaguely green blah to exploding with flowers and stems and colors, it's awesome.
― longtime caller, first time listener (man alive), Friday, 8 July 2022 03:12 (one year ago) link