Growing up in New York City, I learned some names of wild plants from my mother. One of her favorites was Butter-and-Eggs, blooming in late summer, a small flower colored like its name. Another wild flower in the US is Goldenrod, growing everywhere, in salty dunes with whippy grasses, or in vacant lots with Japanese Knotweed (in the US an "invasive," in east Asia, a valuable longevity herb).
In Massachusetts, glyphosate is soon to be illegal. It is a powerful carcinogen. Of course, then the community will have to initiate a new campaign against the next new, even deadlier, poison.
Japanese knotweed is public enemy number 1 in the UK. There’s legislation surrounding its spread and disposal and everything... An entire industry - totally reliant on chemical controls - has sprung up to deal with the “problem”. It’s worthy of an article in its own right...
I wasn’t aware that Massachusetts legislators had outlawed glyphosate - I applaud them for it! Thanks for bringing this to my attention. Here in the UK, the RHS has committed to stop selling chemical poisons in its shops - there will still be plenty of places where such chemicals are available, but it sends a really important message that I hope reaches lay gardeners the UK over.
I have contemplated a guerrilla campaign whereby I print up small signs and stakes and label natives growing wild in town so they are not indiscriminately mowed down as weeds. The Bee Friendly Street concept is a better idea.
I LOVE your idea to label the plants! There’s something about a label and/or a sign that makes something feel much more important and deliberate and worthy of consideration. The art gallery effect. This was actually one of the criticisms levelled at our community gardening group during a recent In Bloom judging process: it was suggested that more signage could/should be erected in the neighbourhood beds, to help the local community feel more included and invested and knowledgable about the efforts of the gardeners.
In short: I think you should proceed as planned with your labels, and I’d love to know what the impact is, if any.
I love that rom-com description Dan! 😂 Much like you, learning about and learning to appreciate plants has opened up a whole new dimension for me and how I engage with the world. I love that you’ve got that Bee Friendly Street scheme, I’ll look into how my council deals with weeds/unwanted plants in streets for sure.
Yes do look into it! I’m ashamed to admit that I only even realised the council was spraying glyphosate on our street when a neighbour shared the existence of the Bee Friendly Streets scheme with me. I think this sort of chemical control is far more widespread than many people imagine, as the work often goes unseen by local residents.
It’s great, isn’t it? I mean, the council must be loving it because it makes them look pretty progressive and environmentally friendly, plus they get to pass the maintenance buck to residents and save a bit of cash in the process. But cynicism aside, it’s a great move!
Growing up in New York City, I learned some names of wild plants from my mother. One of her favorites was Butter-and-Eggs, blooming in late summer, a small flower colored like its name. Another wild flower in the US is Goldenrod, growing everywhere, in salty dunes with whippy grasses, or in vacant lots with Japanese Knotweed (in the US an "invasive," in east Asia, a valuable longevity herb).
In Massachusetts, glyphosate is soon to be illegal. It is a powerful carcinogen. Of course, then the community will have to initiate a new campaign against the next new, even deadlier, poison.
Japanese knotweed is public enemy number 1 in the UK. There’s legislation surrounding its spread and disposal and everything... An entire industry - totally reliant on chemical controls - has sprung up to deal with the “problem”. It’s worthy of an article in its own right...
I wasn’t aware that Massachusetts legislators had outlawed glyphosate - I applaud them for it! Thanks for bringing this to my attention. Here in the UK, the RHS has committed to stop selling chemical poisons in its shops - there will still be plenty of places where such chemicals are available, but it sends a really important message that I hope reaches lay gardeners the UK over.
I have contemplated a guerrilla campaign whereby I print up small signs and stakes and label natives growing wild in town so they are not indiscriminately mowed down as weeds. The Bee Friendly Street concept is a better idea.
I LOVE your idea to label the plants! There’s something about a label and/or a sign that makes something feel much more important and deliberate and worthy of consideration. The art gallery effect. This was actually one of the criticisms levelled at our community gardening group during a recent In Bloom judging process: it was suggested that more signage could/should be erected in the neighbourhood beds, to help the local community feel more included and invested and knowledgable about the efforts of the gardeners.
In short: I think you should proceed as planned with your labels, and I’d love to know what the impact is, if any.
I love that rom-com description Dan! 😂 Much like you, learning about and learning to appreciate plants has opened up a whole new dimension for me and how I engage with the world. I love that you’ve got that Bee Friendly Street scheme, I’ll look into how my council deals with weeds/unwanted plants in streets for sure.
Yes do look into it! I’m ashamed to admit that I only even realised the council was spraying glyphosate on our street when a neighbour shared the existence of the Bee Friendly Streets scheme with me. I think this sort of chemical control is far more widespread than many people imagine, as the work often goes unseen by local residents.
What a good idea to make the street bee-friendly!
It’s great, isn’t it? I mean, the council must be loving it because it makes them look pretty progressive and environmentally friendly, plus they get to pass the maintenance buck to residents and save a bit of cash in the process. But cynicism aside, it’s a great move!