My neighbor who is a master gardener only has native plants in his yard and has been encouraging me to do the same. I thought how can this make a difference? Sounds like a book I need to read. Thank you for the recommendation.
A master gardener who is enthusiastic about native plants for a neighbor? This sounds like a dream! I bet your neighbor knows the best places to source natives locally: Tap his expertise! He probably also has lots of great books you could borrow--maybe even this one!
I love this book so much! It found me right after a move as we were planting a blank slate of a lawn. I had not enjoyed the native plant community before this book. My experience is that some corners of the native plant world can be dogmatic and have big gender, race, and class problems. Tallamy offers a much more realistic and joyful option, I think, by inviting gardeners to add important native plants without feeling they must give up all other plants. We now have a joyful jumble of native and non-native plants and I’m happy to report the bugs and birds have found us 🙂
I was similarly affected by an earlier Doug Tallamy book, Bringing Nature Home, and converted my yard to native plants 15 years ago. The diversity of wildlife is astonishing, and I have a new appreciation for magical little creatures like flower flies! During migration I sometimes have as many as 40 different species of bird in my yard at one time.
Hi Laura, I have half an acre in Alexandria, Va, not far from the Potomac River. I am in an older neighborhood that has easements between back yards that serve as wildlife corridors. I tried to paste some photos from the garden this spring and summer but can't seem to figure it out. Also, I have a new challenge that has been very discouraging. New neighbors moved in directly next door who have an enormous aversion to insects. They contracted for ground spraying, house spraying, perimeter spraying and mosquito fogging on a monthly basis. The first fogging occurred without my knowledge, and all life in my pond was killed, and I found massive death among insects and skinks. MY dogs and I were in the yard for several hours shortly after the spraying, and we were all sick that night. I talked to them about it, purchased insect repellant and mosquito traps for them, but they have continued with the pesticides. I erected a solid board seven foot fence along the property line that I line with tarps on spray days. I had to deconstruct and reconstruct the pond, add a more robust carbon filtration system, and set up a party tent over it on spray days. I run a line of sprinklers along the fence line, and have active carbon filters on the hoses. On spray days I run the sprinklers continuously in the hope they will bat down any pesticide drift, then the carbon will bond with the pesticide and wash it out of my yard. I also hose down all my property and trees. It appears to be working (Green frogs have appeared, but I lost all the tree frogs) but it takes a huge toll in terms of my time, positive attitude and finances.
I will try posting photos in a comment (although I am not sure what this is; is THIS a comment?)
Your neighbors’ actions and stubbornness must be heartbreaking. Glad you’re coming up with ways to combat their ignorance and keep your patch of Eden alive. 🌱
Your yard sounds amazing, although I'm sorry to hear about the problems with your neighbors. I also have a half acre in Alexandria and am working to convert it to native plants. I'm constantly battling ivy and other invasives.
#nativeplants, #dogs, #gardening. At least ripping out ivy gives me something to do outdoors over the winter. I have, for the time being, abandoned gardening in my back yard. I am removing the pond this weekend. I was so busy trying to save resident insects and frogs that I failed to realize that my beloved golden retriever was sickened by the fogging. I thought that my fence and tarps and charcoal water were enough to protect us and clear toxins away. In fact, after every fogging my girl had symptoms of pesticide poisoning; I just did not recognize them. I took her to the vet for limping (neurological damage) and for coughing, but did not connect it to inhaling pesticide. I thought because I kept the dogs out of the backyard for 24 hours, and washed it down, they would be safe. But no. Dates of vet visits and fogging coincided. She died of a brain tumor last month. She was 6 years old. It was not due to genetics, per the neurologist, but toxins in the environment. The chemical in fogging is directly tied to neurological damage and brain cancers in dogs, children and adults. So I have fenced off my side yard, and my remaining dog and I will spend the summer there. I have moved my more productive native shrubs there as well, and planted 10 white cedars (grow to 50 ft) along the 7 ft fence line in the back yard. I hope they grow quickly.
Great post. Native plants are magic. Sewing! Loved that piece & good luck with your sewing project! I recently moved into a 500 sq ft apartment & am struggling to fit in a sewing corner. I'm focusing on mending and hand sewing for now until I can get my machine back out. It's truly so empowering to be able to mend, darn, alter, make my own clothes.
Yes, Sammi! Very relatable. I also just moved into a 500 square foot apartment and I've managed to tuck my sewing machine into a bag with all of its acutrema underneath my desk that I work full time from. I'm inspired to make myself a new top now to fill a gap in my wardrobe!
I have been sewing! I consider myself an adventurous beginner and sometimes take on projects beyond my skills. YouTube has been a big help. I am definitely a visual learner.
If you want to try pants, I recommend the Pomona pattern. Minimal, straightforward and stylish.
We planted about 30 native plants in our yard this spring and I’m amazed at how well they’ve done, and how quickly. Most plants don’t do much their first year but these natives have taken off immediately.
I’m loving your writing and find it refreshing, and the links are there if you want to use them but I don’t feel like you force anyone to click. Write on 👊🏾!
And I love the idea of more gardens although I likely won’t create one 🤦🏾♀️ but will do my part in other ways!! xx
I'm adding this book to my library holds list! I just picked up your book last week and thoroughly enjoyed reading it cover to cover 🥰 thank you for all of your contributions. I keep looking to you for inspiration and fuel as I am realigning my life with small space, sustainable living. Thank you, thank you, thank you for that!
Hi- I came across your substack and was considering an annual membership, but I think you may have a typo in the price (only on the annual option)! Wanted to flag for you.
My neighbor who is a master gardener only has native plants in his yard and has been encouraging me to do the same. I thought how can this make a difference? Sounds like a book I need to read. Thank you for the recommendation.
A master gardener who is enthusiastic about native plants for a neighbor? This sounds like a dream! I bet your neighbor knows the best places to source natives locally: Tap his expertise! He probably also has lots of great books you could borrow--maybe even this one!
I love this book so much! It found me right after a move as we were planting a blank slate of a lawn. I had not enjoyed the native plant community before this book. My experience is that some corners of the native plant world can be dogmatic and have big gender, race, and class problems. Tallamy offers a much more realistic and joyful option, I think, by inviting gardeners to add important native plants without feeling they must give up all other plants. We now have a joyful jumble of native and non-native plants and I’m happy to report the bugs and birds have found us 🙂
Yes, 100-percent! I find his message so welcoming and approachable. So glad your are enjoying adding native plants to your garden now.
Librarian here! We have this book in our collection, and I’m sure many, many other libraries do as well!
Yes, yes! I should have been more explicit in my encouragement to borrow it from the library if you can!
I was similarly affected by an earlier Doug Tallamy book, Bringing Nature Home, and converted my yard to native plants 15 years ago. The diversity of wildlife is astonishing, and I have a new appreciation for magical little creatures like flower flies! During migration I sometimes have as many as 40 different species of bird in my yard at one time.
TAMI!!! This is amazing! I would love to see photos of your garden. Where is your garden?
Hi Laura, I have half an acre in Alexandria, Va, not far from the Potomac River. I am in an older neighborhood that has easements between back yards that serve as wildlife corridors. I tried to paste some photos from the garden this spring and summer but can't seem to figure it out. Also, I have a new challenge that has been very discouraging. New neighbors moved in directly next door who have an enormous aversion to insects. They contracted for ground spraying, house spraying, perimeter spraying and mosquito fogging on a monthly basis. The first fogging occurred without my knowledge, and all life in my pond was killed, and I found massive death among insects and skinks. MY dogs and I were in the yard for several hours shortly after the spraying, and we were all sick that night. I talked to them about it, purchased insect repellant and mosquito traps for them, but they have continued with the pesticides. I erected a solid board seven foot fence along the property line that I line with tarps on spray days. I had to deconstruct and reconstruct the pond, add a more robust carbon filtration system, and set up a party tent over it on spray days. I run a line of sprinklers along the fence line, and have active carbon filters on the hoses. On spray days I run the sprinklers continuously in the hope they will bat down any pesticide drift, then the carbon will bond with the pesticide and wash it out of my yard. I also hose down all my property and trees. It appears to be working (Green frogs have appeared, but I lost all the tree frogs) but it takes a huge toll in terms of my time, positive attitude and finances.
I will try posting photos in a comment (although I am not sure what this is; is THIS a comment?)
Your neighbors’ actions and stubbornness must be heartbreaking. Glad you’re coming up with ways to combat their ignorance and keep your patch of Eden alive. 🌱
Your yard sounds amazing, although I'm sorry to hear about the problems with your neighbors. I also have a half acre in Alexandria and am working to convert it to native plants. I'm constantly battling ivy and other invasives.
#nativeplants, #dogs, #gardening. At least ripping out ivy gives me something to do outdoors over the winter. I have, for the time being, abandoned gardening in my back yard. I am removing the pond this weekend. I was so busy trying to save resident insects and frogs that I failed to realize that my beloved golden retriever was sickened by the fogging. I thought that my fence and tarps and charcoal water were enough to protect us and clear toxins away. In fact, after every fogging my girl had symptoms of pesticide poisoning; I just did not recognize them. I took her to the vet for limping (neurological damage) and for coughing, but did not connect it to inhaling pesticide. I thought because I kept the dogs out of the backyard for 24 hours, and washed it down, they would be safe. But no. Dates of vet visits and fogging coincided. She died of a brain tumor last month. She was 6 years old. It was not due to genetics, per the neurologist, but toxins in the environment. The chemical in fogging is directly tied to neurological damage and brain cancers in dogs, children and adults. So I have fenced off my side yard, and my remaining dog and I will spend the summer there. I have moved my more productive native shrubs there as well, and planted 10 white cedars (grow to 50 ft) along the 7 ft fence line in the back yard. I hope they grow quickly.
Great post. Native plants are magic. Sewing! Loved that piece & good luck with your sewing project! I recently moved into a 500 sq ft apartment & am struggling to fit in a sewing corner. I'm focusing on mending and hand sewing for now until I can get my machine back out. It's truly so empowering to be able to mend, darn, alter, make my own clothes.
Thanks, Sammi. My machine lives in the closet too, but it would be dreamy to have a dedicated space for it someday.
Yes, Sammi! Very relatable. I also just moved into a 500 square foot apartment and I've managed to tuck my sewing machine into a bag with all of its acutrema underneath my desk that I work full time from. I'm inspired to make myself a new top now to fill a gap in my wardrobe!
Do it @elaina!
I always appreciate the links you provide.
I have been sewing! I consider myself an adventurous beginner and sometimes take on projects beyond my skills. YouTube has been a big help. I am definitely a visual learner.
If you want to try pants, I recommend the Pomona pattern. Minimal, straightforward and stylish.
Thank you for the recommendation, Melissa! I love the idea of being an "adventurous beginner" in just about everything
We planted about 30 native plants in our yard this spring and I’m amazed at how well they’ve done, and how quickly. Most plants don’t do much their first year but these natives have taken off immediately.
I’m loving your writing and find it refreshing, and the links are there if you want to use them but I don’t feel like you force anyone to click. Write on 👊🏾!
And I love the idea of more gardens although I likely won’t create one 🤦🏾♀️ but will do my part in other ways!! xx
I'm adding this book to my library holds list! I just picked up your book last week and thoroughly enjoyed reading it cover to cover 🥰 thank you for all of your contributions. I keep looking to you for inspiration and fuel as I am realigning my life with small space, sustainable living. Thank you, thank you, thank you for that!
I'm so glad you enjoyed The Little Book of Living Small!
I love your links!
Thanks, Anna!
Love this. And thank you for linking to my essay. 🙏🏻
It is such a good essay! I would love to read more about how we relate to our possessions as we age.
@nativeplants; @LAURAFENTON
Here are some photos of my native garden from spring and summer 2023:
https://share.icloud.com/photos/052NDsXLKJ6b5w9104sr_wiAA
https://share.icloud.com/photos/095SyVDmjfTWn4x01lhGDXRDg
https://share.icloud.com/photos/0e111np4PG2O7769LaLFhRmTQ
https://share.icloud.com/photos/034L8UF6vq8d75rz69H8zXnMQ
https://share.icloud.com/photos/01311Bfg5FcunQcla6EBskvGw
https://share.icloud.com/photos/0883kGsRr4eZkxNZzCLzzLw8g
https://share.icloud.com/photos/00fe85Ithf9-jPH-NM3UnoRBQ
https://share.icloud.com/photos/0c1WVii5sMD0R_Sk-tI8Iji9w
https://share.icloud.com/photos/06fzNRueG-ecSGCwYCeGGnuWA
Hi- I came across your substack and was considering an annual membership, but I think you may have a typo in the price (only on the annual option)! Wanted to flag for you.
Not a mistake: There is no annual option for Living Small, tried to explain on the subscription page, but I guess it's too fine of print.
Oh- got it. Thanks.
Aww, thanks. I am honestly happy for the criticism: It means people are paying attention.