Slow Gardening

[Zuzu's Garden]

This article in the NYTimes this morning about Slow Gardening (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/26/garden/26slow.html?_r=1&em) caught my eye.

I had a xeriscape garden in Boulder County which we planted for the same reasons. I questioned why I was spending so much time and money at the previous home on a lawn and garden that wasn't meant to grow there. Colorado is arid and I was really weary of the noisy, heavy equipment required to keep it up. I did have vegetables and cutting flowers in the back yard, but the upkeep was greatly reduced and the time spent enjoying the garden was increased.

I had to laugh when I read about his Ford F150 pickup garden. I have just such a truck. Hmmmmmmm. ;)

Zu

[cheapdiva]

I'm into anything that doesn't include lawn! I want to tear out the (very) small front lawn we have - about 40 feet long and at its deepest maybe 4 feet and plant something other than grass.

Slow gardening . . . I LIKE it!!

[Breezy]

Zuzu I really enjoyed reading the article on slow gardening ~ it makes sense too. Why knock yourself out when there's an easier way to do it. I'd like to try some containers and see how it goes. On the other hand I have to admit that I love the look of a nicely maintained lawn ~ nothing else really just green grass. Very simple and clean looking. I love all that green.:)

[ChapterTwo]

[QUOTE=cheapdiva;3777]I'm into anything that doesn't include lawn! I want to tear out the (very) small front lawn we have - about 40 feet long and at its deepest maybe 4 feet and plant something other than grass.
QUOTE]

Pachysandra is great! I started planting some in the Fall and I love the way it stayed somewhat green and is already perking up!

[Evelyn]

Thanks for sending the link to the slow gardening article ZuZu. I too enjoyed it. I also liked his bottle tree sculpture. I did a similiar thing a few years back and my friends thought I was nuts.

Evelyn

[shabbychick]

Thanks for sharing that article. I loved the traveling garden in the truck. I replaced my tiny little grassy area with rocks and put containers and yard art out there instead, and I've been much happier ever since. The grass wouldn't grow in all that shade, and mowing mud was not much fun. I've been trying to find a good combination of plants I can grow in containers back there that look good, are meant to grow in this area, and are low maintenance. If it ever warms up here, maybe I can get this year's container garden started.

[Zuzu's Garden]

Evelyn wrote
I also liked his bottle tree sculpture. I did a similiar thing a few years back and my friends thought I was nuts.


I have found that doing anything green & out-of-the-ordinary is considered "nuts" by the general pop. So, I guess that makes me certifiable.

Here is another article in today's NYTimes. A Boy Living in a Car (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/29/opinion/29kristof.html) The problems are heartbreaking, but the solution these two young women offer is inspiring (and green).

Zu

[Deb D]

I like Slow Gardening. That article affirms what I am doing at my house. I thought it was out of necessity, since I don't have much time or money. I want a yard that sort of takes care of itself, that leaves me time to enjoy it. I also want to grow food. I do a lot of scrounging for materials. And I'm committed to plants that work for the situation. I can't imagine babying something that isn't a good fit.

Who would have thought I'm so trendy? Zuzu is too! Thanks for sharing the article!

[rubyslippers]

My yard is going to take a lot of work ... and it is quite small. I would like some grass because it feels nice between your toes. However, perennial corners in shade may be my "slow" gardening joy. I also like the mix of veggies, herbs, and flowers. I want things to "look" nice; however, I also want to be able to play as well. I like the idea that everyone can grow something. My experience with a lettuce windowbox didn't go as well as I had hoped; but, I love having basil in my window. Actually, some of my shade garden from my old porch is still alive in my house. I brought it in last fall and it kept living. Yard art can go either way for me. I either LOVE it or feel lik it is a little "over-the-top". I believe art is quite personal. So, we all just have to "slowly" attain our goals. I am gaining more patience with my yard. I feel like it gives me time to rearrange things in my head so-to-speak.

Great article!

[Lynzee]

I'm into anything that doesn't include lawn!

I SO agree! That is what we want to accomplish in our yard. BPG has visions of a dry creek bed, huge rock gardens and gravel paths to nowhere. I, on the other hand, just want him to pour in concrete and paint it green. :D

[Gigi]

Great article to share Zuzu! And about the truck---love love love trucks!