Mary Reynolds. It’s Reynolds’ approach to planting that truly sets her apart. She chooses varieties that naturally grow together and doesn’t believe in weeding or breaking up the soil. More esoterically, she asks the land what it wants to become. “The gardens we have now are controlled, manipulated spaces,” she told the crowd at her book launch in West Cork. “It’s like forcing a child to wear a pink tutu.”
I started on my journey learning about her from a film I watched titled "Dare To Be Wild" 2018 written and directed by Vivienne De Courcy.
TEDx Talk:
Industrial farming is, unfortunately, the only way to feed 7.7+ billion humans (which continues to expand). Farming is increasingly becoming a non-viable life style for most of us. I live on an island that combines small, organic farms and lots of retirees who want to be a part of the community. We were once the bread (fruit) basket of the western part of the state and many traditions from the past still are alive here (including a farm that is tilled by draft horses). The community promote and foster the small farms but this can only be sustained with a lower population. This archipelago remained important until the Grand Coulee Dam went online and provided irrigation for the drier parts of the state. This is when large-scale, industrialized farms took off and which supplied food for the large number of workers coming here to be a part of the war effort. Again, excellent ideas but impractical given the huge and encreasing demand.
The native Americans had a practice known as the Three sisters. Find planting that were symbiotic which turned out to be mainly corn, beans and squash.
[thespruceeats.com]
Interesting, ...and important. She almost lost me with her narration of her childhood illusion told as if the hedges literally and with intent moved to enclose her in a field. I thought " here we go, Linda Evens, cue the Yanni music and break out the meditation crystals for the drum circle." I don't speak that new age hallucination language. But her observations on corporate forming were important. I need to read more to understand how what she proposes differs from sustainability living, in practice.
She was pretty young when she experienced the 'trees growing together'. Sounds like she was a pretty imaginative kid.
Sounds interesting. I'll have to check it out. The way things are going I'm becoming concerned about another 'dust bowl'. Among other things.
Ugh, a dustbowl in Owensboro, KY.
I do understand what you're saying.
Interesting concept! I'm sure there are situations where her concepts are applicable. Such as commercial farming or commercial horticulture. Those are situations where those concepts are simply not practical due to the results or timelines we require.
Her TEDx talk is mostly about this concern. She describes her work as 'harmonious gardening' as contrasted with 'sustainable gardening'.
@AstralSmoke it's a very interesting concept for decorative gardens. I'll have to read more about it. Thanks!
Posted by FrostyJim...I have enough room for a few good people.
Posted by glennlabMy heavenly Blue Morning Glories have finally gotten their color.
Posted by glennlabMy heavenly Blue Morning Glories have finally gotten their color.
Posted by FernappleIts that season again, blue sky and golden leaves, nature is the greatest designer, a Ginkgo in my garden. Also posted in photography.
Posted by Diaco Black Sapote - The chocolate pudding tropical fruit! (2 videos) [youtube.com] [youtube.com]
Posted by Diaco Black Sapote - The chocolate pudding tropical fruit! (2 videos) [youtube.com] [youtube.com]
Posted by Diaco Black Sapote - The chocolate pudding tropical fruit! (2 videos) [youtube.com] [youtube.com]
Posted by Diaco Black Sapote - The chocolate pudding tropical fruit! (2 videos) [youtube.com] [youtube.com]
Posted by FrostyJimMaking my last batch of 2024 oven roasted tomato sauce on Oct. 10 ready to start filling jars.
Posted by FrostyJimMaking my last batch of 2024 oven roasted tomato sauce on Oct. 10 ready to start filling jars.
Posted by FrostyJimMaking my last batch of 2024 oven roasted tomato sauce on Oct. 10 ready to start filling jars.
Posted by FrostyJimI needed to preserve my bell peppers so I made Indian chutney last night.
Posted by FrostyJimI needed to preserve my bell peppers so I made Indian chutney last night.
Posted by FrostyJimMoose family munchin' on my Raspberries right now at about 8:30 on Tuesday night!
Posted by FrostyJim3 giants total over 3 lbs! Bush Early Girl hybrid grown in my Wasilla Alaska zone 4b greenhouse...
Posted by FrostyJim.