Showing posts with label is. Show all posts
Showing posts with label is. Show all posts
Thursday, March 6, 2014
Mingle or Clump ! The debate is moving to ThinkingGardens!
The question of how we compose ornamental plants in beds—particularly whether species are mixed together or in solid masses—is now moving to the excellent website ThinkingGardens. Last month I wrote a post in response to much of Noel Kingsbury’s writing where he has posited “intermingling” (mixed species planting) as part of a newer ecological aesthetic. My post questioned whether massing can’t be a part of this aesthetic as well.
A condensed version of my argument is now on ThinkingGardens. Later this week, Noel Kingsbury himself will respond. So check out ThinkingGardens and the many great minds who are commenting on this debate about the future of naturalistic planting design.
http://thinkingardens.co.uk/articles/mingle-or-clump-by-thomas-rainer/
Tuesday, March 4, 2014
Nothing is Certain but Death of Plants and Taxes
Taxes. A swear word in most peoples vocabulary.
Nobody likes paying them, but we all enjoy the benefits of public libraries, smooth roads and waste removal.
I had an epiphany the other day - that having a beautiful garden requires the same investment as paying taxes. You only notice the problem, when its too late, and the infrastructure isnt there.
The insight came to me when I visited a garden recently, where I had been called in to consult (a few years ago), during the preparation stage of this garden.
At the time, my client was more concerned with the final product than with what went into getting it there (and trying to get there as economically as possible).
They rashly ignored my insistence that they pay more attention to the preparation of the soil. I suggested that they should almost spend a larger portion of their budget on remedial work for the soil, than on the plants. It fell on deaf ears - or perhaps I didnt articulate it well enough.
Either way, two years later, the result is a problem that is far more difficult to address. The plants are pale and sparse, and the grass is patchy and full of weeds.
My suggestion if youre still in the early stages - pay your garden taxes now. Youll reap the rewards later (literally). If your soil is in overdraft, its not too late to start making regular payments now.
Start by topdressing your lawn with a thin layer of good, rich compost, add copious amounts of compost to flower beds, and mulch wherever possible. It may take a while, but the fruit will be so much richer.
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Nobody likes paying them, but we all enjoy the benefits of public libraries, smooth roads and waste removal.
I had an epiphany the other day - that having a beautiful garden requires the same investment as paying taxes. You only notice the problem, when its too late, and the infrastructure isnt there.
The insight came to me when I visited a garden recently, where I had been called in to consult (a few years ago), during the preparation stage of this garden.
At the time, my client was more concerned with the final product than with what went into getting it there (and trying to get there as economically as possible).
They rashly ignored my insistence that they pay more attention to the preparation of the soil. I suggested that they should almost spend a larger portion of their budget on remedial work for the soil, than on the plants. It fell on deaf ears - or perhaps I didnt articulate it well enough.
Either way, two years later, the result is a problem that is far more difficult to address. The plants are pale and sparse, and the grass is patchy and full of weeds.
My suggestion if youre still in the early stages - pay your garden taxes now. Youll reap the rewards later (literally). If your soil is in overdraft, its not too late to start making regular payments now.
Start by topdressing your lawn with a thin layer of good, rich compost, add copious amounts of compost to flower beds, and mulch wherever possible. It may take a while, but the fruit will be so much richer.
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