Ecological Gardening

I finished the Master Gardener's Technical update feeling inspired by the theme of ecological gardening.

Three speakers emphasized the need to be intentional and work relationally. 

For decades now, there has been a bit of a subtext of "humans bad, nature good" in the environmental movement. The idea of leaving natural spaces untouched was a continuation of the thought that humans are apart, rather than a PART, of nature. Absence, not presence.

Speaker Jennifer Grenz shared insights into aboriginal land management practices such as forest gardening, of finding value in edible 'weed' populations, of how getting rid of some invasive species needs to account for re-establishing others (i.e. berry populations).

Dr. Karen Christnsen-Dalsgaard talked about how self-perception can either be paralyzing or empowering. We need to think about optimizing our footprint and not minimizing it. The simple act of planting a garden enhances urban ecology. With 50% - 80% of the world's population living in cities, we have to challenge our notions of built environments to incorporate greater plant diversity and less concrete and asphalt. When I walk Toronto's trails, such as Tommy Thompson park above, I admire how we are re-wilding barren spaces.

Ben Futa got us thinking about gardening smarter and not harder. Manage, don't maintain your garden. Use the time you save to truly observe. Get to know 20-30 plants very well and use them intentionally to create your garden. Remember any soil left exposed to light will become weedy, so notice where those weeds are and replace them - not with bark mulch but choosing the right plant for the right place.  When removing weeds, take into consideration whether they are annual/perennial and choose the best method to eradicate (compete/cut/pull/smother/spray if necessary). When it comes to design, a simple approach is to pick two or three stunners per season (for colour, shape or form); then repeat those patterns (ordered or eclectic). If you must have lawn, think about using it as a frame rather than the painting.

Gardening is made of fleeting moments


Repeat clusters of patterns

Framing an ecological garden with lawn

4 types of salvia are used here to paint a swath of colour in season

 

Notes to self 

- how are the plants looking in my winter garden

- consider expanding salvia in front yard and intermixing with Canadian anemone 

- keep an eye on the thimbleberry and if necessary - relocate! maybe somewhere on BPYC or in Bluffers - but needs shade!