Leave It Be

It’s become a frequent topic of conversation these days and one often fraught with defensive/aggressive/heated words but, even worse indifference. That last noun to me is one I find unacceptable simply because it implies a total lack of personal responsibility. I’m talking about the matter of dealing with autumn’s fallen leaves. For years, it was considered de rigeur to rake, collect and bag the leaves. It symbolized tidy, cared-for properties of which the owners took immense pride.

Then, composting became a thing and everyone was encouraged to put all the collected leaves into their compost heap which of course assumes one had such a feature. In some cases, towns had begun collecting the bagged (large brown paper sacks) leaves and composting the lot to eventually offer free compost to its residents. At first, building or buying a personal compost bin was also met with resistance. Would it smell (no), attract critters like raccoons and skunks (also no). A proper composter composed of the correct ratio of green and brown organic waste from both kitchen and garden should not have any strong or bad odor. Nor are creatures drawn to it because that sort of material is available in plenty in nature. It’s the stuff we put out in our garbage cans they’re after.

Occasionally, animals such as opossums and mice that already live in the area, might get into the lower depths of the heap because they seek warmth – as the bio-materials break down, heat is generated which makes for cozy quarters in the depth of winter. By the time springs rolls around, they’ve usually left. No harm done.

In any case, folks eventually came around to seeing the value of composting. Some started it in their own properties and others happily handed them over to the town. But everyone learned the benefits of composting – using the mature compost to enrich their soils and appreciating how well it performed as a mulch to suppress weeds and hold in moisture.

Fun fact –when I started on my garden 30 years ago, I decided I would apply only organic methods and also set up both a rain barrel and composter. The latter being exclusively for kitchen scraps while the larger quantity of garden waste was relegated to the woods. For this, I was called “quaint and old fashioned”. Now, I’m simply a gardener ahead of her time which is laughable considering how very ancient those practices are. I’ll happily take old fashioned and quaint. Only in the realm of gardening mind you. Just to be clear!

Currently, the discussion of how to handle those fallen leaves has shifted somewhat. While the leaves are still good to compost, letting them remain where they have fallen is encouraged. It makes senses that the leaves will provide hideaways for small creatures through the winter and eventually degrade into the soil putting back nutrients for next years demands. What type of creatures you ask? Bumblebees, some moths and butterflies, their eggs, caterpillars, pupae, beetles, woodlice and more which are integral to the food webs. When we remove the leaves, we are disposing off them too.

The general problem many have with this is that it makes the garden look messy. Neglected. It is a matter of aesthetics. Which as we know changes all the time. If everyone left the leaves alone, then the same ‘messy’ look wouldn’t stick out. As it stands now, the variations in a neighborhood actually point out the gardeners who think caring for the environment is more important to them..By no means does that mean the rest do not care but, its the optics that make some folk pass judgment. There are a few ‘tricks’ to letting folk know you aren’t a lazy, negligent or unconcerned gardener – for instance, keep the front edge of the plant beds clean with an application of a layer of (preferably homegrown!) compost and let the fallen leaves cover the rest of bed beyond. Or, edge the beds with attractive material like bricks or prettily patterned metal edgers. Juxtapose messy with tidy.

The other valid concern is about how a thick mat of leaves can easily smother a lawn. (I’m happy to revisit the whole lawn situation at another time and I will). If this is something that is indeed a problem, by all means remove those leaves but, distribute them around plants in the beds and borders. Compost any excess that remains. At the same time, I gently nudge you to reflect on whether you really need as much lawn.

There is no disagreement that as the leaf litter degrades, it becomes humus which is a highly rich layer, but also, in removing the leaves, we are depriving the garden of what is considered an ecologically prized zone, one that is an invaluable habitat for the critters that gardeners need to help out the plants they grow. In nature, when trees and other plants shed their foliage, it’s not to merely dispose of them. They are setting up their own cyclical system of supplying themselves with the nutrients as well as the useful creatures they will require in the following growing season. So when we, in our gardens go about gathering up all the leaves, we are depriving the plants of their natural food, Think about all the fertilizer that is applied annually – unnecessary, costly and unhealthy when it gets into the water table or as run-off into bodies of water nearby.

In my own garden, I let the fallen leaves remain in place except over the tiny front lawn (if one can call it that) that does get smothered easily as well as the path through the meadow that leads to the woods beyond. The leaves from these areas get blown onto the beds/areas close by. Far less work than raking and gathering!

It really isn’t an all or nothing situation. First and foremost, as gardeners, we are on the same side so lets not fight. Together, we garden to create beauty and care responsibly for the piece of Earth of which we are so very privileged to be custodians. That is our covenant.

In the final analysis, we want to leave behind a better world. Surely, we can all agree on that.

(c) 2025 Shobha Vanchiswar

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Marching Orders

So typical of March to arrive with in the guise of winter, abruptly show us what spring could feel like and then, just as quickly go back to winter again. Last week’s mild weather had me realize that my sabbatical from the garden was over. It’s funny how from December on, I’m in a state of anticipating and planning for spring. And then, with the first days of mild weather, I feel unprepared and already behind schedule.

I promptly got my master list ready – this is a detailed inventory of every task to be done to get the garden in good growing shape. The checklist is divided by each sector of the garden. It allows me to easily see what is immediate and what can wait a bit. I’ve found that it prevents me from feeling overwhelmed. While a good many chores are pretty much standard, additional ones get added after a walk around the garden to take note of how things look. What has taken a beating through the winter and needs repair or replacement invariably shows up. A broken fencepost, displaced stepping stones, a worrisome hole in the middle of a flower bed – there’s much to contend with.

Over the weekend, I got started. The columbine seeds I’d stratified got sown indoors. I’ve never done this before but finding myself in need of many native columbines, it seemed time to grow my own. I’m so curious to see how it’ll work out. Fingers crossed!

I started the hardening off of the sweetpeas sown in mid-Feb. A daily dose of some hours outdoors helps acclimatize them. The trellis to support them was also restored so all is ready for when the seedlings will be planted in another week or so.

Last Friday, I sprinkled Shirley poppy seeds over the snow in a certain part of the meadow. Today, no snow remains so I’m fervently hoping the seeds have ensconced themselves in the earth and stirring about to begin the gradual process of sprouting. It’s supposed to rain hard this Thursday so lets hope the seeds don’t get washed away.

This week, I’ll prune the roses – cut away dead or wayward limbs. A light shaping too. Climbers will be re-secured as the winter somehow manages to loosen them out of the ties. A dose of compost and Epsom salts will be welcomed by the roots as they begin their work in earnest.

Likewise, a pruning and a compost feed for the grapes and fruit espalier is in order. Now is the time to spray dormant oil to smother any pest eggs.

The grapevine cuttings will be put to use in concealing the peony supports and other unsightly mechanics.

The new bee and bird houses will be put up by the weekend. Old bird house cleaned and made ready. I often make ‘nesting’ wreaths and hang them nearby to give the birds a little assistance as they make their nests. Simple wreaths of grapevine decorated with natural materials like moss, tiny pine cones, bits of straw, lichen, jute and cotton string. The wreaths look festive and seasonal and have been repeatedly endorsed by discerning homemakers. I get a special thrill when I come upon a nest decorated with my offerings.

If I do a bit of clean up every day, the garden will look greatly improved by the weekend. As much as the chore doesn’t sound fun, it actually gives me an opportunity to observe whats coming up and get excited about each returning old friend and some unexpected new ones.

Materials for repair have been noted and shall be purchased during the week so no time is wasted over the coming weekend. Lots to do!

Something I did last week when the warm weather lured us out, was to take note of the progression of the snow melt. This is the ideal time to see which parts of the garden get more (or less) sunlight. It can be quite surprising. Areas you think should be similar are often not. Things can change as trees grow or get taken down, new construction happens along next door etc., Knowing about the assorted micro-climates serves to make better decisions about what to plant and when to expect their bloom. Or even what to change.

There you have it – I’ve received my marching orders – get off the couch by the fireplace and into the garden. And hop to it. Yes ma’am.

Note that disc of snow on top of the pot!

I love seeing the meadow emerge as the snow melts.

Poppies sprinkled last week

First snowdrops – happens where the snow melts first!

Forced hyacinths – Spring has sprung indoor

Day 1 of last week’s warm weather

Day 3 of warm weather

Grapevine awaiting pruning

Snow melt pattern in potager

Lower end of side path. The middle melts first, then the bottom and finally the top end. Which is surprising because the top looks most exposed but the neighbor’s tree actually casts a shadow just long enough in the day so the snow remains longer.

(c) 2021 Shobha Vanchiswar

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All I Want For Christmas, Hanukkah And The New Year

Until now, I have never made a wish-list for Christmas or written a letter to Santa. Truthfully, the very notion of focusing on wanting stuff has felt too self-centered and materialistic. Not anymore. I’ve flipped the switch and taken a different approach. For purposes of this garden related article, I’ll stick to point but it’s apparent how the same thinking can be extrapolated to other scenarios.

Here goes:

1. I wish my town would follow the initiative taken by Dobbs Ferry ( a village twenty minutes south) to remove overgrowth in various areas. To clear waterfront views, Dobbs Ferry has been loaned three goats from a farm to feast away on shrubs and even poison ivy – this not only addresses a big problem in an ecologically sound manner but saves the town mega municipal money.

I’d written about this eco-goats topic a few years ago. I think it’s time to see how to get it going in my neck of the woods.

2. I would like to see every homeowner with a plot of land, commit to planting mostly native plants. And when using non-native plants, select only non-invasive ones. Native plants attract native creatures that pollinate and protect. Nature in balance.

In a similar vein, let our parks, preserves and public gardens be shining models of native flora and fauna. We must restore and create more resilient, sustainable landscapes to support diversity and maintain a healthy ecology.

3. I wish every community would set aside one week day and one day of the weekend as ‘quiet’ days. This means no motorized garden tools allowed. At present, all through the growing seasons, on any given day one is subjected to the auditory assault of mowers, trimmers, blowers and such. Can’t you just envision the calm and peace on ‘quiet’ days when you are totally aware of the sounds of nature like birdsong, running water features, rustling of leaves, dropping of acorns, calls of tree frogs and bull frogs, cicadas … And imagine listening to music, having conversations and simply thinking in our heads without being uninterrupted by the noisy tools and appliances.

4. I wish for universal adoption of organic practices. As a nation, let’s move towards chemical-free gardens. Even in the application of organic products, let’s be judicious and prudent.

5. I wish for composting to become a routine practice in every household. It is easy, inexpensive (free) and perhaps the most useful product you can provide to your garden.

That’s it. That’s my wish list.

Small, simple shifts in habits, big positive impact on environment.

Note: The Holiday Art Show at the New York Art Students League begins December 11! I have a painting there. Do visit. This is a wonderful opportunity to see great art. Very affordable too!

Enjoy the photos of the Holiday Train Show at the NYBG. It should get you in the spirit of the season!

(c) 2017 Shobha Vanchiswar

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