Covering Ground

Book Review: "Wilding" by Isabella Tree

A British couple take their land out of conventional agriculture and, partly through necessity, change course towards the little-known and little-understood practice of "rewilding" their land. Over almost two decades, they look backwards to historical practices of farming, hunting, fishing, and animal husbandry to help them resurrect and adapt restorative land practices for the future.
Bee pollinating partridge pea, Chamaecrista fasciculata 12 Native Flowers, Easy from Seed

I vividly recall watching my first marigolds and zinnias sprout, grow, and flower once upon a long-ago summer. As summers came along, I had further easy victories with cosmos, poppies, bachelor’s buttons, nasturtiums, sunflowers, and morning glories. The adults in my life wisely gave me easy seeds. Success bred confidence and good memories.
Chickadee with caterpillar, courtesy Smithsonian public domain Birds, Butterflies, Toads, Turtles: Won't You Be My Neighbor?

Many of us remember chasing fireflies on summer nights as children. In our family, it was a Fourth of July ritual. Others wistfully recall listening to hoot-owls, and finding frogs, toads, turtles, newts, salamanders, and, yes, snakes.

Are they gone forever, like childhood? They don't have to be. There are eight ways we can be better neighbors:
screech owl For better tick control, begin with nature

Question: What animals below prey on tick-carrying white-footed mice and other tick-carriers?

A. Owls, hawks, and other birds of prey

B. Foxes, bobcats, fishers

C. snakes

D. opossums

E. all of the above
Spring seedlings in plastic pots Reduce, Reuse, Recycle When Starting Seeds

Our New England growing season is only six months long, but the plastic pots, trays and liners that hold our short-lived plants may last for decades. If you would like to change the footprint of your gardens, consider your options. 

(Also see the 2022 article: After the Flowers Are Planted.)
Eat Like a Fish by Bren Smith Book review: “Eat Like a Fish"

Long Island Sound fed Native Americans for millennia before settlers arrived, and it feeds us today. Unfortunately, today’s fish and shellfish harvests are minnow-sized compared to days gone by.
Let It Rot by Stu Campbell Compost Holiday Items? Easier Than You Think

Forgive me, please, if it seems quirky to suggest that bright, merry, and yummy seasonal items are candidates for the compost bin, pile, bag, or tumbler. 
root pruning Roots Get an Image Makeover

Roots may lack charisma, but the hidden half of the plant world is getting new attention. Roots are natural carbon-hoarders--and carbon is a hot commodity these days. 

That’s a convenient truth, especially in autumn. Like chipmunks and squirrels, roots begin adding to their stores in late summer.
mow leaves and leave them on the lawn Rethinking Leaves

Have you turned a new leaf when it comes to land care? Many people have. For instance, we plant for pollinators, choose native plants, reduce lawn sizes, and use electric equipment instead of gas-powered. Most of those changes take place within the confines of our properties without attracting negative attention.

The same is not always true for autumn leaves.
New England aster 25 Late-Blooming Native Plants for Birds, Bees, Butterflies

It's easy to dream of flowers in early spring and summer. But let's not forget that bees, butterflies, moths, and other pollinators need pollen and nectar from flowers during the fall months, almost until first frost. Birds, of course, need seeds and berries all year.

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