Spring is a real time of possibility for us New Englanders to reimagine our outdoor spaces. Winter’s dormant landscape creates a nearly blank canvas where we can insert plants that we can enjoy and tend – or not – throughout the growing season to come.
Our efforts can be minimal yet have a real impact on our immediate environment. The opportunities and benefits of growing a diverse array of plants, or increasing the biodiversity around us, are many.
“The diversity of above-ground life in turn feeds the soil food web. Biological diversity is the foundation of ecosystem vitality,” writes Scarborough farmer Daniel Mays in his new book, “The No-Till Organic Vegetable Farm.” “Flowering plants bring in a multitude of flying insects. Birdhouses support winged pest control.”
It has been said by many an observer that the less effort we make in caring for our yards, and the messier they become with multiple varieties of plants allowed to bud, flower and go to seed, the more sustaining it is for the soil and beneficial insects, birds and other animals. But let’s look beyond a simple mess and see what kind of landscape the lazy, or slow gardener might cultivate.
For a start, consider “rewilding” some of your outdoor spaces so they become attractive to native birds and beneficial insects. Marginal areas that may be difficult to mow because they are inaccessible, too wet, or under the branches of trees may be ripe for such a project. Grounds that may have rejected your vision of a manicured lawn because of shade or excessive dryness come high summer might embrace hardy plants built for such conditions. Extra space on your porch or step? A container of any sort will do.
Preparing the ground
Minimizing soil disturbance is one consideration when starting new plantings. On the one hand, it frees you up from the labor of heavy tilling or digging. On the other, the biology in the soil will be primed to thrive in the existing soil structure, and continue its important work of filtering water and storing carbon. Leaving the soil largely intact will also avoid the nutrient leaching and weed germination that comes along with digging up a large patch of ground.
The solution? Go on top of it. If you are looking at a grassy area and want to grow a more diverse landscape, you could simply smother the grass.
One option is first mowing or cutting down any tall grass to the lowest possible level – an unnecessary step if starting in early spring. Place a thick layer of leaves or cardboard, preferably cartons without dyes or plastic tape, on top of the grass, and secure it in place with a generous helping of a few inches of compost on top. Seeds can be planted directly into the compost. Water the patch well until germination. The initial smother layer will beautifully degrade into the soil over the season.
Lacking enough cardboard for a larger area, secure a tarp to the ground with heavy blocks for several days to a few weeks, depending on the time of year. The idea is to block all light from reaching the soil surface. Remove the tap when the sod will has died back. That soil can be planted into with seeds or transplants — don’t forget the compost or other organic matter.
Be warned that with this technique, hardy weeds like dandelion will have no problem coming up through your cardboard or waiting out your tarp, so these methods are not a 100% effective solution if you want a perfectly manicured patch. But these techniques do represent an easier alternative that remains quite effective in reducing labor while being environmentally friendly.
Planting areas galore
Different areas require their own strategies. One area you might consider growing perennial plants that are attractive to pollinators is on your septic leach field. It’s generally a marginal area composed of fill that, at least on my property, is not great at supporting life. I’ve got a large area to cover, so my strategy is small patches of cardboard, compost and seeds at time, along with lots of hope that eventually some plant species will like it there, and it will be converted to a thriving and attractive flower garden.
“Planting over a leach field deserves special consideration because plant roots can clog the drain pipes and potentially damage the drain field,” says the University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension. “Growing shallow-rooted plants over the drainage area is recommended because they help remove excess moisture and nutrients from the soil and reduce erosion.”
The experts recommend herbaceous perennials, annuals and ground covers, but warn against planting vegetables or other edible plants, because the soil could be contaminated.
Seed bombs
Yes, it’s as fun as it sounds. The Wild Seed Project, whose motto is “returning native plants to the Maine landscape,” has the recipe. Start in early spring with potters clay, soil or compost, and some seeds. Mix clay and soil with water to make a dough, make a ball and stick your finger in the ball. Place a pinch of seeds inside, and roll them up into the ball. Throw into your yard!
“While there is no science demonstrating the effectiveness of this method of seed dispersal, it is an interesting and fun way to engage people in restoring vegetation, particularly if seeds of native species are used,” Heather McCargo writes of this method on wildseedproject.net. The nonprofit organization sells seed packets of individual varieties and mixes of seeds aimed at wet or dry areas. The group notes that early spring is an ideal time to sow these wild, native seeds in our landscapes, as the cold, wet weather is necessary to activate germination once the warmth of late spring arrives.
Bee consciousness
Talk of flowers must lead to those buzzing sounds they seem to make, since they are food sources for a diversity of pollinators that are essential for fruiting plants to successfully produce food.
In the spring, we can also plan for providing them habitat by taking on some additional projects to support our winged neighbors. One possibility is drilling 5/16 inch holes, four to six inches deep in the end of a wooden block. Cap with a metal cover to keep it dry, attach to a post at least three feet off the ground, and you are now the local native pollinator species condo association.
“The bees will find such places quickly and get to work settling in. You’ll know they’ve been successful when you observe the holes plugged with mud immediately following the tail of bloom” of the local fruit trees, writes Michael Phillips in his book, “The Holistic Orchard.” The bees will emerge the following spring, so the condos will need to be protected through winter. Piles of undisturbed leaves and branches are also good places for pollinators to call home. A little mess can go a long way, after all.
Comments are not available on this story.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
