As the holiday season approaches, are you considering gift choices? For many, the focus is ‘hearth and home’ but from an eco-chic – environmental stewardship - perspective, a focus of ‘plow, not hearth’ is more appropriate. For, from the rain forests of south-east Alaska to the deciduous forests of the Mid-Atlantic region, climate change has reaped havoc on America's landscape.
Although it may be tempting during the cooler months to hibernate, focus on hearth, from a sustainable landscape perspective, it is a better choice to acquire an understanding of eco change, its ongoing effect and identify solutions that enable environmental stewardship - the gift of plow.
So, I’ve implemented an eco educational campaign – urging consumers and Industry alike to make the cooler seasons their optimal landscape garden installation and maintenance season. Why? During cooler seasons, landscapes experience fewer pests and disease problems; and, increased amounts of rainfall and cooler temperatures are recognized to create the ideal environment for plant development. For example, plant roots have an opportunity of seven to nine months in which to develop prior to experiencing the hot humid ‘dog days’ of summer.
As a person who ‘digs in the dirt’ and dwells in the central Virginia Interstate 95 corridor, I’m certainly no stranger to eco havoc. In late August, the landscape experienced drought. Next, the earth shook with such vengeance that many of those who lived near the core of this earthquake were left homeless; and then, rain generated by the force of tropical storms occurred. So, hear me when I say, I relate; still, I believe nature is resilient and leaves us each season with a promise renewed.
As a result, for the holiday season, instead of purchasing a trendy gift, focus on ‘plow’ in holiday gift giving. There are numerous ‘living green’ gifts from which to chose: crafting a seasonal arrangement or decoration, planting bulb beds, raking yard debris, lime and fertilizing grassy areas, creating a site for a spring planting or thinning crowded evergreens. The winter months, specific to the central Virginia area, are predicted to be milder which will enable a continued recovery of landscapes damaged by eco havoc. So, ‘plug in’! Whether novice, professional or ‘arm chair’ gardener, acquire a step by step guideline for creating eco-chic – the gift of plow, not hearth; for example, a guideline such as my book From Eco-weak to Eco-chic: landscape green .
In the spirit of the holiday season, join me in a quest to green life’s garden one scoop at a time. Give gifts that reflect eco-chic, ‘plow, not hearth’. Together, let’s appreciate the resilient of nature: the promise of a season renewed. For as gardeners, we not only have opportunities to make a difference through personal choices but can influence others through our use of green space, both rural and urban.
During the holiday season, a series of columns will be posted which suggest ‘gifts of plow, not hearth’. To follow, link to Examiner.com column and select ‘follow’ for notice by Tweets or ‘subscribe’ to receive notice by email. For additional tips and strategies, visit web site TheWrightScoop .
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