unsure what to do? plant a meadow.
meadows don’t have to be huge
Things feel tough right now, for so many reasons. I don't need to list them. It comes in waves: sometimes, I get focused on my daily life and have moments that feel good; other times, I'm overcome by waves of despair.
When I'm in a wave of despair, I often wish that I had wisdom to share, something that might help lift the dread and spread some peace. Or perhaps hope? Joy?
It can even be hard to come up with action steps to help improve the general situation because everything feels so big, overwhelming, and out of our control.
But recently I realized that I do have advice for you:
Plant a meadow.
I'm still without a farm. But this year, I've been able to garden around my home.
Of course, I planted a meadow. Ok, it's not really a meadow. It's a very small garden patch (see photo below) that I filled with meadow plants, as well as some Verbena that are not native (but our new hummingbird visitor loves!).
I love the medicinal meadow plants. I love the song of the insects. I love the movement of insects that you see more deeply as you let your eyes rest.
Prior to this year, the house had been surrounded with day lilies. In the spring, I tore them out. I installed the meadow plants in late May, perhaps even early June. So they've been there for about three months.
In three months, this small patch of land went from being basically barren to hosting SO MUCH LIFE.
I can see the plants from our living room windows, and I constantly see butterflies flutter past: Monarchs, Swallowtails, and many I can't name. There are countless wasps and bees. We even have a hummingbird who visits!
This is the difference that three months of native plants can bring. It's life! They bring life!
I often go out during the day to gaze upon the meadow, to let my eyes focus on all the insects. I don't know all their names, and honestly I don't care all that much who they are -- I just care that they're there, and they're eating, and they're alive.
Spending time with my "meadow" has filled me with more hope than I've felt in years. It also gives me joy, and moments of peace.
It's hopeful that life can return so quickly to an area. It's hopeful that it's not actually that hard to create habitat for the creatures whose lives support ours (insects. we need insects).
Three months, a small patch of ground. Very little work.
Perennial plants like this don't need much tending. You can cut back the dead stalks in late spring, pull a few weeds out. That's it. It's pretty easy gardening.
So, there's my advice for your weekend. Plant a meadow.
Planting a meadow is a small action step that will help the earth in just a few short months. And it will make you feel better about existence.
Is there anywhere on your property that you can squeeze some meadow plants in? Can you convert your lawn into a meadow?
If you don't have access to gardening space, can you befriend an organization and convince them to let you install a native plant garden? (Libraries, churches, community centers, businesses you're friendly with...) Perhaps a neighbor or a friend?
Truly, creating habitat is so important. And urgent. And it feels so good.
Meadow resources:
Easy-to-read and inspiring Meadow Book: Lawns into Meadows
Articles and videos from Doug Tallamy
Our local wildflower preserve (which offers lots of education): Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve
Some wonderful native plant nurseries:
Wild Ridge Plants (shipping available)
Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve
Toadshade Wildflower Farm (shipping available)
