Journaling for an independent study class
I’m crossing my fingers that Carol (my professor for my independent study in Ecofeminist Philosophy & Activism) will like the idea of my using the front yard as my “Place in Nature” to study during the semester. I think it’ll be a great way to make the yard a little nicer! It’s curious: when I mentioned this to my housemates their first response was to note that any changes I made would have to stay when we move — that I couldn’t take them along with us. It hadn’t occurred to me, though, that this would be anything more than trying to make this location a little nicer and more natural. I didn’t, frex, feel I would “own” it so much as make it glad I’d been there, if that makes sense.
My current plans are to first neatly trim back the shaggier plants that are obstructing the walkway, then try and heal the tree and the rosebushes, then start laying in the big ceramic pots for planting. One of those I’d like to fill with succulents, the other with herbs, similar to what the two articles I found describe. I’d like to also add a bird feeder and a hummingbird feeder to the porch, as well as maybe a few more hanging plants so I learn to have a green rather than black thumb. ;) I think I can make a birdbath and a bat house too, if I’m creative. I’m still debating whether I should seed the bare patch of ground or not. It feels very clayey; would I do better to try just planting moss?
When I warned the housemates of my plans, and asked if there was anything they definitely did or did not want done, one housemate asked only that I use good quality bird seed so there wasn’t a heap of hulls beneath the feeder. The other asked that I not chop down the shrubberies that shield his window from the street. Past that, the first suggested I get rid of the gardenias (I think that’s what they are?) and plant something nicer that’s native, while the other asked interestedly if I’d be building a compost pile.
Notes to self: must take “before” photos, then start identifying the plants — so I can at least speak descriptively of them to the local OSH plant clerk! Also eventually want to learn more about compost: what exactly does it require & what is it good for, aside from getting rid of food scraps?
Carol sent out an email to the WS mailing list regarding scientists finally recognizing non-human animals have consciousness (if that’s dead, try here). Gee… what a surprise. Well, before being bleakly amused, I should realize it is a good start — things are improving little by little, I hope.
Tomorrow is a blue moon. I may try a small ceremony in the front yard, in the moonlight, to bless both it and my endeavors.
Hm… reading your links, it looks like the sakaki gets rather tall for our yard, and wants moist, well-drained soil — which we don’t really have much of. We might want to try camellia instead? Let me check and see if it’s friendly to the local wildlife first, though, please.
Thanks for the links! :)
That’s because I spelled it wrong. It’s really sakaki, and is the plant usually used in Shinto. It’s not native; it’s Japanese. According to the gardening site I looked at, it should grow in our climate.
See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sakaki
According to this nursery, it should manage here: http://www.smgrowers.com/products/plants/plantdisplay.asp?plant_id=3152
In Seattle they use camellia which is related but can handle a little freezing weather.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camellia_sinensis would also be close enough, and it’s the bush tea is made from; we could dry leaves and make our own tea.
Oh, sure, I’m aware the changes have to stay. Frankly, I’d like to see more bat- and bird-houses up in suburbia. I have no plans to cut down the jade plant, since it makes for great cover. Umm… what’s a salaki bush? Is it native? Google does not seem to recognize it? :)
I think we both just wanted to make sure you knew that any changes you make to the yard technically belong to the landlord. People don’t know.
Some changes, obviously, stay when you leave but others are less obvious. Anything affixed to the building, for instance, should stay.
Anyway, attention to the yard will be nice. I hope the giant jade plant manages to stay, too, or I’ll have to do something else about greens for the kamidana.
I wonder if I could get a real salaki bush to grow.