A Naturalistic Garden is primarily a method for the urban or sub-urbanite to feel closer to the natural world. It is a garden to relax in rather than to fuss over. It is a garden that invites visitors of all types, from bugs to birds to like-minded humans. It is a garden that allows us, for at least a short while, to escape the pressures and tensions of modern life and to actively connect with our biophilic needs. In this, it can be considered as part of a remedy for lives and lifestyles that have become separated from the natural world which formed our being.
Green Yearning.
These are cell phone photos taken in our garden in mid-June 2022. We had an amazingly moist spring for our location in Edmonton, Alberta, and the garden was lush and green. My wife and I had put a lot of effort into this green space in the early years. Although our daughter is now hundreds... Continue Reading →
Does Scotland have the world’s best ecosystem for MTBs?
Glenfinnan, Scotland. Photo by Roman Popelar. Flikr. (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0) Recently, in my quest to learn more about sustainable mountain biking, I came across a podcast by Developing Mountain Biking in Scotland. They have only 5 podcasts available so far, but all are interesting. This is not a podcast about the tech, the gear or... Continue Reading →
Gardens Matter
Gardens not only reflect and enlarge the minds of their creators, but they can also contribute to the community and the broader environment.
How urban gardens can boost biodiversity and make cities more sustainable
"The field of urban ecology is relatively new, but over the past three decades it has shed light on how green infrastructure — trees and other plants of greenspaces, gardens and wetlands — can offer solutions to the issues faced by urban development."
Leave the Leaves
Leaves seldom gather in our lawn-free and west-facing front garden, which is swept by prevailing winds from the north-west. To help retain the leaves that fall, I don't cut back the perennials until after frost, and when I cut them back, I leave 12" stems standing. This helps trap some leaves and holds them fast... Continue Reading →