the story of milkweed, with eric lee-mäder: everything i didn't know about this powerful plant
Hello ,
Most of us may automatically think “monarch” after hearing the word “milkweed,” or vice versa. And that’s in fact a critical and intimate relationship, the one between monarch butterflies and native milkweed
plants.
But the genus Asclepias, with more than 90 North American species alone, offers sustenance to a wide diversity of animal species
beyond just that one beloved insect. I spoke about that diversity recently with Eric Lee-Mäder, author of the recent book “The Milkweed Lands: An Epic Story of One Plant: Its Nature and Ecology,” and he also recommended some outstanding ones to grow. Eric is an ecologist at the invertebrate-focused Xerces Society, where he is the pollinator and agricultural biodiversity
co-director, and he and his wife also operate Northwest Meadowscapes, providing regional native seeds and consultation services for meadow-makers. Plus: Enter to win a copy of the new book. a thank-you to a returning podcast underwriter I am always happy for the start of seed-catalog
season, and also for news from the local NPR station that is home to my weekly podcast for almost 14 years (!!!!) that a favorite seed catalog of mine has joined them as an underwriter of the show. A big thank you to High Mowing Organic Seeds for once again supporting Robin Hood Radio in nearby
Sharon, CT, "the smallest NPR station in the nation." Every one of High Mowing's 700 varieties is certified organic, and they have long been a leader in the organic seed movement—which those of you who know me know is something I am a passionate advocate for. You can order a print catalog by clicking the photo above (or just go browse the entire assortment online now). recap: 'cleanup-plus,' with ken druse Yes, it's time or almost time to do some
raking, and to dig the dahlias to stash: time to perform the rounds of the fall cleanup, and put the garden to bed. But Ken Druse and I want to advocate for a sort of “cleanup-plus”—for tending not just to the obvious chores, but also doing some reflection, and making time for
often-overlooked late-season tasks like seed-saving. Or for finally transplanting one of those two overcrowded shrubs that have been screaming for more elbow room, and you keep swearing to rescue them, but never quite get to it. Sound familiar? That's Ken's current view of his fall garden, above. We’ve been talking this week together on the phone about how we’re winding down our respective garden seasons, and we wanted to let you in on
some of the details that we hope will help you in your own cleanup-plus. the november garden chores National Leaf Month: That’s what I’d declare it
if I were in charge of such things. November is nonstop leaves here, and a good rake is my constant companion. But how much leaf cleanup to do, and how much to let lie in the name of the greater environmental good? It's all part of the puzzle called the November chores: In go the
last bulbs this month (including garlic, if it hasn’t yet); into the cellar go the last tender things. I’m still weeding (true; until the ground freezes and I can no more), mowing (until it stops growing, I’ll persist)—and also saving some seeds for use next year, and ... and ... in 'the new york times:' have you grown bromeliads? The most recent in my "New York Times" series that began in April 2020: Bromeliads are a major focus at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Florida, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary year. Angel Lara, their VP of botanical horticulture, thinks they should be among your favorite houseplants, and recommends whihc are easiest-care. Before that: Milkweed has a following way beyond the famous one of monarch butterflies. There's loads to learn about this genus of powerful native plants. And another column previously: I
hate to complain, but ... do you mind listening? The 2023 garden season was a struggle (jumping worms, spongy moth caterpillars, late freezes, torrential rainstorms, you name it). Blessedly, nature served up enough small miracles, too, to keep me in the game. One column earlier: The celebrated poet and essayist's relationship to his
garden is joyful, and he is grateful for every bit of delight it offers. A week earlier: Cornell Botanic Gardens has been experimenting with sustainable native lawn for nearly 15 years. The grass they rely on as the foundation? A genus you may never have heard of: Danthonia, or oatgrass. For four garden seasons, I've interviewed gardening experts for my In the Garden column in the Times, and they interviewed me, too, in a Q&A on page A2 of the paper. The link is here, with links to all my past columns as
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