It’s that time of year again. The time when I walk in urban areas peering into gardens and under shrubbery, looking for the first signs of snowdrops and crocus. When I pull out all the seed catalogs and circle, circle, circle all the plants I would like to fit into my yard. When I dream of all the vegies and fruit I could grow (and eat). When I soak in every word of podcasts and presentations on growing mushrooms, perennial vegetables, and natural pest control. When I dream of all that my land could be if I would just…….
If you’re like me, hooked on growing things that can feed you and your wildlife neighbors, you probably want to know more. Today I’m sharing resources that I’ve been reading through over the last few weeks. You might just find some great ideas for rewilding your shoreline, re-creating a forest on your back 40, or becoming a home-grown national park. Be warned though, you might just be inspired to make your dream a reality. My new soil blocker arrived in the mail this week and the perennial vegetable seeds are on their way!
- Find everything you want to know about natural landscaping around lakes in FOVLAP’s Guide to Healthy Lakes Using Lakeshore Landscaping (PDF). Plant lists, design plans, tips, and lovely drawings to help you find your own vision for a natural lakeshore.
- Decide how and what to plant
- Think Like a Forest – an article on designing at the larger scale
- Garden Plant Finder – a tool built by the Native Plant Trust to help you find native plants that will fit in your garden
- Become a Homegrown National Park – building on Dr. Doug Tallamy’s work, this organization helps you build habitat wherever you happen to be.
- In “10 Things to Get You Started”, Dr. Tallamy lays out the framework for your personal national part right outside your door.
- Links to many of Dr. Tallamy’s presentations and articles are also found on this website.
- Planting and growing native seeds can be a challenge. These articles and presentations share tips and methods you can use to get those seeds to sprout.
- Sowing Native Seeds by Heather McCargo
- Native Plants Seeds Workshop slides – Cornell Botanic Gardens
- How to Grow Native Plants from Seeds – Wild Seed Project
- Native plant sources in Vermont
- Source list from the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department
- Finding native plants – Vermont Audubon
