It’s been a long horrible week of high heat and even higher humidity. This week doesn’t look any better. Getting even a minimal of garden chores done is quite a challenge for me as I wilt like a petunia in such circumstances. Add the explosion of ravenous biting bugs and I’m ready to throw in the trowel.
As if that’s not enough, the dreaded Spotted Lantern Flies have made their presence known. I’d been hoping the harsh winter would’ve destroyed the lot of them but alas, that was wishful thinking. I guess the winter did not stay that cold long enough. Ugh.
More than complain of which I’m doing plenty, I’m deeply, deeply concerned about how we can cope with the volatility of the changing climate. Plants are certainly more resilient than we are but they too need time to adapt to change – they must be experiencing horticultural whiplash with all the extreme fluctuations they’re being subjected to. Likewise the fauna that has co-evolved with the plants. Add human disturbance (and destruction) to this situation and we have a genuine crisis on our hands. I exaggerate not. The data and evidence prove it.
Trying to determine the long term approaches to gardening in a changing climate is tough – are we looking at conditions of drought or excess rain? Our Hardiness Zones are shifting significantly so many of the plants we acknowledge as specifically native to our zones are not going to remain as such. Do we make our own predictions and act accordingly or do we simply wait and see? If the latter, for how long do we wait and what and how should we garden in the interim? How do we help both flora and fauna?
There are far more questions than answers at this time. Scientists and experts in climate/environment/plant/animal/horticulture/geology/meteorology/agriculture/hydrology/health and every related subject are working to understand and figure out how to cope and resolve this urgent problem. BUT there is currently a severe paucity in both funding and manpower to properly address it. Enough said. IYKYK.
Meanwhile, what can each member of the gardening community do right now? How can we cope?
To start, lets recognize that we are a sizable part of the population. We can make a difference. First and foremost, every single of us must be seriously worried about what is obviously happening and we can get loud in expressing our concern to friends, family, neighbors, community, coworkers and any and everyone who will listen. Elect and support leaders at every level (town, city, state and national) who will do what it takes to save and protect all our natural resources. We cannot, must not hesitate to make good trouble. Too much is at stake.
In managing our own gardens, lets go as local as possible. Populate your garden with native plants. They are most resilient and hardy and best equipped to survive the climate changes happening right now. Choose them to be the main residents of every garden. There are several non-natives, first introduced a long time ago, that have naturalized very well in the landscape, serving pollinators admirably. So much so, many people would be surprised to learn they are not indigenous plants. They too can be included in the garden but in smaller numbers.
Purchase plants grown locally. I realize that small, family owned farms and nurseries with a good selection of plants are few and far between these days but they do exist so find them and give them your business. Our support is the only way to ensure their continued existence.
If you really do not have a source of locally bred plants, widen your search to neighboring counties. Finally, go online and identify small growers of native plants who will direct ship to customers. There are many of them and I’ve only had experiences with them.
Avoid the big sellers who obtain their plants indiscriminately from anywhere and everywhere.
Instead of pointlessly, painstakingly pursuing perfect, pristine lawns, and overly neat borders, liberate yourself by bringing shabby chic style to said lawns and borders instead. No more mono-cultured lawns or tightly controlled plant beds. Let plants express themselves which by no means precludes trimming or staking. Just let them spill out a little, gently lean or weave into a neighbor. Shrink lawns down drastically. They are costly to maintain – demanding time, money, water, energy and often toxic products to be perfect. Plant native trees and shrubs instead. They will nurture more beneficial insects and other wildlife than one can imagine. With what lawn remains, let in other ‘greens’ like common blue violets, lance selfheal (Prunella vulgaris ssp lanceolata). Even yellow woodsorrel.
Mulch with tree bark nuggets and native groundcover plants to suppress/inhibit weeds as well as retain moisture so the soil doesn’t dry out quickly. I typically place layers of newspaper or cardboard around the various plants first and then top off with smallish nuggets of tree bark.
Seriously consider installing rain barrels. As we face increasingly long spells of drought interspersed with rainstorms that dump large quantities of water in quick bursts resulting in mostly run off and very little being absorbed into the ground, collecting rainwater makes perfect sense.
It goes without saying but I’ll say it anyway – use only organic products for feeding plants, preventing and/or combating pests.
Do away with gas powered appliances – mowers, blowers and such. Perfectly effective electric or battery powered ones are available.
If we continue to have the level of humidity we’ve had lately, allowing plenty of space between plants for good airflow is going to be imperative. Otherwise, mold and fungal growth will surge and threaten the health of all the plants. I’m already planning to ruthlessly thin out some areas as soon as the heat lets up this weekend. Being proactive is easier than damage control.
All of this might sound like a lot but in reality, it will actually be easier to implement. The hardest part is to get rid of old mindsets and adopt the current recommendations. We know better so lets do better. Together.
NOTE: I’m not sharing any photos this week. Instead, I humbly ask you to spend a few minutes imagining what a world lacking in the familiar beauty and joy of our gardens, parks, woodlands and meadows would look like. How does that make you feel?
I thought so. Lets not let that happen. Please.
