Mother Nature is the Greatest Gardener
My front yard includes a small, nature-made dell filled with pine trees, oak trees, and rock outcroppings. When our house was built, we chose this lot because of this dell and the interest it adds to the yard.
The dell is oval in shape, and looking at the rough land, I could envision a path wandering among the trees and a lush garden for exploring. I went to work and installed a stone walking path lined with rocks harvested from the lot.
Over the years, I planted and mulched and weeded and fertilized various perennials in an attempt to enhance the soil and create the lush garden I had envisioned. There were shade plants, sun plants, some flowering shrubs, and also herbs. Some of these thrived yet many did not. I learned that trying to change a sizable area of dry, rocky, acidic soil into a rich, loamy growing area requires significant time, energy, materials, and funds.
So, after years of trying to conquer the challenging conditions, I decided to work with Mother Nature and let grow the plants that best flourish in this type of soil. I now have a garden filled with easy-care sedum, rudbeckia, hostas, shrub roses, lavender, thyme, onions, and liatris. Mother Nature has added low-bush blueberries and wild daisies, and she sprinkles the entire garden with a natural mulch of pine needles.
Mother Nature is, after all, the ultimate gardener, and there is great satisfaction in working with her, rather than trying to conquer her.
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Text and photos copyright Kathryn J. Acciari unless otherwise noted.
All rights reserved.
Kathryn Acciari, RSPS, SRS, RESE, CFA
Century 21 MetroWest
45 Lyman Street Suite 14
Westborough MA 01581
Serving the Route 9/20 Corridors of Central Massachusetts
Sturbridge to Westborough
Cell: (508) 982-0686
Email: kasellshomes@gmail.com
Web site: kathrynacciari.com
Blog: Real Estate Blog
Twitter: @kacciari
Beautiful plans...Flower Gardening is my hobby...and I know what you talking about. Thanks for sharing
Good mornrning Kathryn, If Mother Nature would just learn to weed! Enjoy your day!
Good morning Kathyrn. I have learned this lesson too and sedum has become a staple for me. Your pictures are beautiful.
You are so smart to work with Mother Nature and grow what comes naturally to your area.
I am not a strong enough person to fight with Mother Nature so I support your decision.
I think a wild, nature-made garden is more delightful than any other, Kathryn. What grows naturally tends to grow best.
Thank you, Elva. I agree 100%!
Joe, one of life's truths is that Mother Nature always wins!
Thank you, Belinda. Mother Nature is a wonderful partner in the garden when one decides that she knows best.
Thank you, Sheila. I much prefer the digging part to the photography attempts!
Wayne, that is quite funny. No, she will give the weeds and more desirable plants equal opportunity to thrive.
And what rewarding hobby, Sham. Thank you for stopping by to comment.
Hello Kathryn Acciari, You are so right about Mother Nature. Hey you are almost at 500,000 points.
Hi Kathryn! What a joyful garden you have and I love how you have arrived at the conclusion to work with Mother Nature instead of trying to force-grow something that is not native to your loamy soil!
Somehow, some way, I have managed to also grow hostas - to me, they are not the flowering plants that I prefer but gosh, they are just gorgeous (although when they do have their floral spikes during the late spring, I'm loving them all over again!)!