Jun 7

Are you caring for the land, or over-managing it?

Advocating for the diversification of buildings, biomes, and businesses to establish sustainable legacies.

✔ How to mow the lawn so it supports an integrated ecosystem

✔ Why I changed my mind about growing veggies this year

✔ 3 Tips for engaging with the land without over-managing it

I love the change of seasons! Especially springtime—it gives me the chance to get outside and work with the land.

I was particularly delighted this year, because it's the first time we've had enough of our own compost to feed the plants. The past year of saving kitchen scraps and stirring the compost pile was worth it—our sifted soil was pure gold!

Even so, I went back and forth on whether to plant any produce this year. I wasn't sure I had the time or wanted to cultivate the land that way yet. Then I noticed beans and lettuce volunteering in the lawn—an invitation if I'd ever seen one! I was glad to put my compost to good use.

Mowing the grass always feels like an unnecessary chore to me. I waited a long time before taking action. Colorado has a dry climate, so I wanted the plants to establish a good root system before cutting them off.

When I finally decided to mow, I kept patches of taller grass, mowing along paths and places we'd already naturally created.

Mowing can be helpful if it's done conscientiously. If you mow it before the grass goes to seed, it can create a layer of protective mulch around more sensitive plantings. It keeps the soil moist and healthy.

“In some Native languages the term for plants translates to “those who take care of us.”

-Robin Wall Kimmerer, Braiding Sweetgrass

In the back, a rose bush had grown so much that the trellis was broken. My first thought was to buy more trellises. Then, I noticed one little stem reaching out to a branch from the willow beside it. Instead of going with my first inclination to cut the willow back, I trained some of the rose vines to climb the willow branches.

They seem to like each other. Maybe I'll build a willow arch or trellis!

Tending to the land is an art.

Creating habitats for a variety of species takes careful skill and observation.

Here are 3 tips for actively engaging with the land:

1. Before acting, observe. We often go through our lawn chores without much thought. But nature requires careful observation. Observation can be an enjoyable process that leads to useful insights!

2. Support what nature is already doing. If you notice a trend, ride the wave! Train the plants to do what they're already trying to do. They will thrive and your land will flourish.

3. If it's not broken, don't fix it. Sometimes, our instinct is to make changes, thinking we can improve the natural order. However, nature often knows best. Resist the urge to over-manage, and instead, nurture what is already thriving.

The land is not just a space we occupy, but a vibrant ecosystem we share with countless other living beings.

By observing, supporting, and respecting the natural processes, we can create a harmonious environment that benefits all inhabitants.

Happy gardening, and may your connection with the land continue to flourish.