Sustainable Gardening... Better Late than Never

Jan, at Thanks for Today, recently sponsored her annual "Gardeners Sustainable Living Project" event (3/15/11 - 4/15/11).

Sixty four garden bloggers posted entries (links included on Jan's blog site) about their sustainable garden efforts, and at last count - 170 comments were posted as well.  While I didn't post during the event 'dates' - I've thought a lot about "sustainability" and "reducing my carbon footprint".

(Thanks to the imagery of Microsoft Clip Art)

While the buzz words are new - the concept of treading softly is hardly cutting edge.  Back in the 70's Greenpeace made a name for themselves - certainly more visible and radical than most.  It certainly made 'saving the earth' headline news.  Way before then - back in the 40's, there were Victory Gardens.  Growing up, I have very fond memories of my grandparents gardens - 2nd generation Victory Gardens.  My siblings and I spent many summer mornings picking Rhubarb from my grandmother's flower garden - for Strawberry Rhubarb pie that night, or green beans or corn from my grandfather's garden.

(Thanks to Microsoft Clip Art)

"Green Initiatives" have effected me both personally and professionally.  At work I team with my organization to reduce utilities, recycle legacy electronics, re-purpose office furniture and recycle paper & plastic.  Many years ago we teamed with a in-house grassroots environmental group (volunteer employees) to replace acres of grass with natural prairie (with IL natives).  One of our other anchor facilities is currently installing a field of solar panels to augment power resources.  While I'm sure most corporations have the same initiatives, it is rewarding to know the contributions we've made.

(Image by Microsoft)

Personally, the view of the my world has changed notably over the last 20 years.  Our yard has gone from all grass (a mono-culture, susceptible to a host of problems), some standard foundation evergreens, a single Sugar Maple sapling in the back yard & the parkway tree (whatever it might be?) - to an ever evolving footprint of "more garden and less grass".  I may have mentioned in an earlier post that a neighbor referred to my backyard as a 'field of dreams' last summer.  It made me smile.

Gone are the days of the "green carpet" lawn and single sapling!

I've previously talked about re-purposing the busted up concrete from our renovation project, to be used as stepping stones in my Shade Garden.  It's a path used every time we walk from the front to the back - and it too makes me smile.  I'd like to add a small dry creek bed along side of it, to redirect rain water to the back gardens.  I've been salvaging old stone mulch for reuse here - it might not be much, but at least it doesn't end up in a landfill.

This area has grown so much - - and no more annuals
(like the Wax Begonias in this photo), only Shade-happy perennials

I'm becoming bolder as a gardener and garden designer.  Plants, like hair cuts (just roll with me on this), are forgiving --- if you cut too much, it grows back, and usually much healthier.  My gardens are larger - I have greater aspirations for more plants.  I'm deep in "natives" homework, and last year I splurged on a tumble composter (still figuring that out as I go).

No, I'm not composting in my family room
 - just putting it together where I wouldn't lose the nuts & bolts

So as I look out on a 40 degree day, as the rain (and snow?!?) streaks down - I look out on my 'field of dreams' and I'm encouraged.  My plans for 'bird & butterfly'-friendly plants excites me.  We certainly know the bunnies are comfortable in my yard.  Robins and rabbits call the Colorado Spruce 'home'.  The 'Cottage Garden', thick with sphagnum moss and mushroom compost, is full of worms - so the birds are in heaven.  I'm not at peace with the dandelions yet - I guess that will have to be a stretch goal.  Currently we co-exist, or I periodically dig them up.

Growing in the gardens - on a rainy day (4/16/11)
(Yellow Day Lilies, Double Pink Knockout Rose [a recent bunny chew bone],
Paprika Yarrow, Pink Guara and PJM 'Rhodie' surrounding the Crab Apple)

So, if you haven't had a chance, check out Jan's project.  Here are just a few quick links to some of the project's participants (both amateur and professional gardeners): Alan Becker-Garden Guru, Curbstone Valley Farm, Carolyn's Shade Gardens, Deb's Garden, Elephant's Eye,  Jean's Garden, and Rosey at Dung Hoe, There are some tremendous initiatives (big and small) out there - not very far from where you live.