Hello from the other side of an early New York City scorcher! I hope youâre staying cool and watering your plants wherever you are.
Iâm excited to share that I have a DIRT-related event in Brooklyn this weekend. This Saturday, June 4, Iâll be making seed bombs from 1:00-3:00 p.m. as part of a kids gardening workshop. The instructions come from my book, where I affectionately call them âdirt dropsâ to avoid the war reference :)
My neighbors Perri and Altheaâthe heart, soul, and hard work behind the local greening organization P.L.A.N.T.âextended the invitation. I would love to see you there and/or would appreciate if you could help spread the word if youâre able. Seed bombs are an engaging activity for all ages, I promise!
Otherwise, here some dirt-related activities and links Iâve found inspiring while reading and writing over the past few weeks. Have you had any thoughts, epiphanies, or questions about dirt recently? Share with me, please! Iâd love to hear and consider them with you.
MAKE: Shady window box planters đ± â Gardenerâs World, BBC
Speaking of P.L.A.N.T., Tommy and I have tried to lend a hand this spring as Althea and Perri have lead preparations for this yearâs Greenest Block in Brooklyn contest organized by the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Weâve enjoyed removing litter, weeding tree beds, unearthing tulip bulbs, and planting our window boxes leading up to the judging that begins later this month. The bar for âBrooklynâs friendliest competitionâ is high here since the block is a reigning champion!AVOID: Why Gardeners Should Stop Using Peat, and What to Use Instead â»ïž â The New York Times
One thing to note in the window box tutorial link I chose: Monty Don is explicit about using peat-free potting soil. Many seasoned gardeners have strong feelings about peat one way or another, but I urge you to understand its ancient role in global carbon capture and why we should protect existing peatlands for our own sake. I found the explainer above helpful for embracing gardening alternatives.LEARN: Monty Donâs Tips & Advice Blog đȘŽ
Now speaking of Monty, if Iâm ever reincarnated, I want to come back as one of his dogs. The British garden personality extraordinaire films most of the BBCâs Gardenersâ World from his home at Longmeadow. The show leads me to believe that the real, live Hobbit spends most of his days tending to dirt with a beloved dog either by his side or in his arms. The dream. It takes all of three seconds of listening to Monty to realize that he knows more about gardening than most people will probably ever know about anything and to my delight, his blog actually has very detailed monthly gardening tasks and advice. Itâs not the ideal trade for those of us unable to easily stream the show outside of the UK, but worth studying all the same.GAWK: âMushrooms communicate with each other using up to 50 âwordsâ, scientist claimsâ đ â The Guardian
It looks like we need more research but itâs an exciting prospect nonetheless: fungi might have their own language. Thatâs at least a theory so far. Apparently researchers have observed not-so-random-seeming electrical signals sent via fungal hyphae and are curious to learn more. News worth following IMHO!