Accent on Natural Landscaping

Donna VanBuecken

Symphony of the Soil

Reference my blog post “S” is for Soil. The book reviewed in that post explores the importance of soil to all life on Earth.

But there is a new take on the soil – a documentary video named Symphony of the Soil – which artfully leads us through the formation of the soil, describes what we have done to the soil, and explains how, with the help of environmentalists, the soil is leading us back to the beginning.

Do you know what soil is? It’s the living skin of the Earth. The soil is an ecosystem of living things.

Do you know why food tastes good? Because the soil is an ecosystem of living things.

Symphony of the Soil

Symphony of the Soil
(see it for free)

Note from the Hudson Valley Writers Center and the Teatown Lake Reservation Preserve and Education Center:
Thank you for helping to make Deborah Koons Garcia‘s talk and screening of Symphony of the Soil such a success on Thursday, September 17, 2020. She had a wonderful time and asked that we send you a link and password to share the film with all our members at no charge until the end of October! I am sending it first to all the people who reserved tickets to Thursday’s event, but it will also be available on our websites.

The link and password below will allow people to view the film for free until they change the password at the end of next month (end of October).

https://vimeo.com/300413588

PW: hudsonvalley

It’s on our YouTube also.

From my friend Kristin Kauth:  Good morning. I did watch the Soil of the Symphony last night and enjoyed it, very interesting.

 

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Millennials and Gardening

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail on Purple Coneflower Echinacea purpurea). Note Yellow Coneflower (Ratibida pinnata) toward bottom of photo.
Pollinator-friendly native plants include Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) and Yellow Coneflower (Ratibida pinnata). Shown here is a visiting Eastern Tiger Swallowtail.

I read an article the other day published in the Green Industry Pros e-magazine which stated “driven by social media trends and environmental consciousness, Millennials are shaping landscape design and lawn maintenance services.” That statement, of course, piqued my interest since most people I know who are environmentally conscious are middle-aged or older (Boomers).

The article explained Millennials enjoy entertaining outside so they want a fun, yet peaceful place to do so. They also are more keenly aware of the effects of climate change and the importance of pollinators to their wellbeing. They want to grow “plants with a purpose.” So, they are interested in growing fruit trees and their own vegetables and herbs, and in planting pollinator-friendly gardens. They are also willing to pay more for organic lawn and garden products, and to have maintenance of their outdoor spaces done by others rather than do it themselves.

Gardening Information

As I read through the article, I realized much of what they were saying was based on the 2018 National Gardening Survey sponsored by Garden Research. Although I have not read the survey results, I understand it covered a variety of different aspects of gardening. As I gleaned information from the articles I was able to find on-line regarding this survey, however, one other special piece of information to me was on how consumers get their information.

Interestingly, in the past females over 55 years of age were the biggest consumers of gardening information and via printed matter. Today, it’s the younger generation under 35 and male, and they’re getting their information on-line from websites and through social media and smart phone apps. This means natural landscaping and native plant gardening organizations such as Wild Ones will need to provide more educational offerings on-line and through apps if they are to successfully accomplish their missions.

Very pricey, the National Gardening Survey 2018 Edition is available for $1,295.

The What Gardeners Think Survey is available for $895.

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EarthSky’s Meteor Shower Guide for 2019

I love being able to linger outside during the wee hours of the morning to watch meteorite showers in the sky over our hunting shack. Looks like I’ll have ample opportunity this year. Click here to see EarthSky’s Meteor Shower Guide for 2019. Watching the night sky always brings me a sense of peace along with a feeling of awe from the marvel of it all. So start planning a get-away out in the wilderness — away from the lights of the populated areas — where you can catch a glimpse of the 2019 meteorite showers.

Draconids near Tucson, Arizona, in 2013. Photo by Sean Parker Photography.

As EarthSky tells us, “remember … meteor showers are like fishing. You go, you enjoy nature … and sometimes you catch something.” Sounds like a good way to enhance one’s wellbeing! [Read more…]

Shinrin-yoku or Forest Bathing

In Japan, Shinrin means “forest,” and yoku means “bath.” So shinrin-yoku means bathing in the forest atmosphere or taking in the forest through our senses. I can’t think of any more idyllic way to improve one’s wellbeing then bathing in the forest.

Most hunters will tell you the best thing about being on a hunt is being able to be outside enjoying nature and all it has to offer (to their senses). What a perfect way to participate in forest bathing.

Walking in the woods at our hunting property is the most uplifting feeling I experience. That’s why I started turkey hunting — so I had more “reasons” to get out to the woods. [Read more…]