tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8765612855992884633.post8162519382648419512..comments2024-01-03T01:06:58.771-05:00Comments on A Tidewater Gardener: Red Tide Green LawnsLeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18281256160705697856noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8765612855992884633.post-76702042438999875092018-09-26T12:32:25.863-04:002018-09-26T12:32:25.863-04:00Thank you for this website! Last week I read in a ...Thank you for this website! Last week I read in a local Gloucester newspaper that Master Gardeners are recommending using a form of glyphosate to treat algal blooms. Sad.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12432842321674133802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8765612855992884633.post-30609428692122696592015-05-20T14:45:07.432-04:002015-05-20T14:45:07.432-04:00By some sort of miracle, I was able to access your...By some sort of miracle, I was able to access your blog at school. By some sort of major miracle, I was able to watch Loretta singing with herself. A few tears and a huge smile were mine!shellynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8765612855992884633.post-78107563628822275912011-10-04T23:25:39.973-04:002011-10-04T23:25:39.973-04:00I'm a returning visitor to your wonderful blog...I'm a returning visitor to your wonderful blog; I live a little further to your north, on MD's Eastern Shore. I read this post today, a couple weeks after receiving a citation due to a neighbor complaint about my yard. Suffice it to say that people here are illogically obsessive about having a "perfect" lawn...my neighbor's manicured lawn is bright green even in the dead of winter, in a sci-fi unnatural way...kinda disturbing, if you ask me. I have been working to reduce the square footage of grass in my yard since moving in to my home three years ago; you can imagine the kind of consternation this has caused. The citation I received really saddened me, as I think my yard looks beautiful, with its beds of bird- and bug-friendly perennials and shrubs. I live near the headwaters of the Wicomico River, and hope I can find an organization in my area akin to those you've been fortunate to work with...maybe a "River Star" flag in my yard would dissuade the lawn police from leaving another note on my door, at least. Anyway, I refuse to give in to them...the message you've articulated here is SO important...and I firmly believe that anyone living within the beleagured watershed of the Chesapeake Bay has a responsibility to treasure THAT natural resource over any excessively manicured artificial lawn.Clairehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02708497794327398043noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8765612855992884633.post-25978769084393592082011-09-14T14:09:18.216-04:002011-09-14T14:09:18.216-04:00Les, you are my hero and an inspiration to all who...Les, you are my hero and an inspiration to all who read your blog.chavlinesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10907844942343152129noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8765612855992884633.post-51249971301286282202011-09-11T23:20:44.082-04:002011-09-11T23:20:44.082-04:00The response from the turf grass guy gives you an ...The response from the turf grass guy gives you an idea of what we are up against: power and money. Your letter likely caused an electronic alert so they could quickly try to spin you before you could do them real damage. Great post and worth every word!LINDA from Each Little Worldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02380944603357066650noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8765612855992884633.post-61205171969616551882011-09-09T22:25:58.991-04:002011-09-09T22:25:58.991-04:00Les a wonderful stance you took and the interest i...Les a wonderful stance you took and the interest in your letter proved quite a bit on important what you had to say really was. Like another commenter, as a Master Gardener, I have been chided on discussing alternatives to grass, pesticides and herbicides. I was told to stop and only put forth information provided by Cornell. I was stunned considering their IPM position. And as a designer, have to do what client's want, but at home do what I wish. The red tide is a warning and be taken seriously. I did not realize that it gets in the fish gills. I did know that it depletes nutrients and oxygen, additionally rendering the waters dead when out of control. I am glad your letter made waves. And it is time those that matter listen.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8765612855992884633.post-64234352779442557512011-09-09T03:51:30.075-04:002011-09-09T03:51:30.075-04:00Excellent post Les. I really hope that you can hel...Excellent post Les. I really hope that you can help persuade a few more people to swap lawn for more interesting plants that require less intensive and environmentally damaging management. There is so much money invested in the lawn management business, people are skilled at pulling out the research that supports their viewpoint, and ignoring the rest. Good luck educating the people who really matter, the lawn owners. Hopefully the more people who get out on the river and start to appreciate the beauty and vulnerability on their doorstep, the less lawn, and the less fertilizer use. <br /><br />The kayaks are a wonderful gift, I love to paddle too, though have never lived near enough a river to do so regularly. It is on my wishlist...Janet/Plantaliscioushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15605580157193047780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8765612855992884633.post-49922668644618895722011-09-08T15:10:37.743-04:002011-09-08T15:10:37.743-04:00What a whirlwind of events that you never expected...What a whirlwind of events that you never expected. Amen to all you support. Fertilizer misuse is rampant and those lawns eventually drain into waterways of some sort...rivers, lakes,streams or groundwater.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8765612855992884633.post-18515448981722777732011-09-08T12:38:04.453-04:002011-09-08T12:38:04.453-04:00Hi Les,
Good for you for writing that letter and f...Hi Les,<br />Good for you for writing that letter and for speaking up for healthy waterways. I have never been a party to the North American obsession with the green lawn, but I don't have a problem with them, if they are maintained responsibly.Jennifer@threedogsinagardenhttp://threedogsinagarden.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8765612855992884633.post-13165880034128611132011-09-07T21:11:07.946-04:002011-09-07T21:11:07.946-04:00Great post. People can make a difference. Love y...Great post. People can make a difference. Love your pics.Rohrerbothttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02136631378931478644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8765612855992884633.post-55100135271690235762011-09-07T20:12:54.453-04:002011-09-07T20:12:54.453-04:00Great posting Les. Wonderful photos to go along w...Great posting Les. Wonderful photos to go along with it. While living in Seaford I would go on the similar soapbox with neighbors. Proper turf management is key....and a buffer.Janet, The Queen of Seafordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07876204203323750245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8765612855992884633.post-9895118387557904012011-09-07T17:27:11.785-04:002011-09-07T17:27:11.785-04:00Love this! I just shouted to my husband, "Ka...Love this! I just shouted to my husband, "Kayaks for Christmas!" Well done, Les.Denisehttp://agrowingobsession.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8765612855992884633.post-14941914186216721432011-09-07T13:51:48.166-04:002011-09-07T13:51:48.166-04:00You celeb you. Congrats on tugging on chains. We a...You celeb you. Congrats on tugging on chains. We all need to do it now and then.compost in my shoehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06572258657523962702noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8765612855992884633.post-66930178701199553732011-09-07T09:07:39.479-04:002011-09-07T09:07:39.479-04:00Les, First of all kudos to you for taking the time...Les, First of all kudos to you for taking the time to write the letter and kudos to those who read it AND took action by either calling you or sending you a package. It shows people care and are interested. That's step number one. As far as defending yourself I don't think you need to do that simply because the science that says nitrogen contributes to water pollution and algae growth is IRREFUTABLE. Nuff said. Obviously there are problems with people not understanding how the ecosystem works or of not caring enough to simply choose a different way of managing their properties. We'd like to think everyone is responsible but sometimes people just don't understand or don't care are are not aware of how their actions affect us all. I did not think you came off anti turf at all. A buffer zone would not only help to filter the fertilizers but would IMPROVE the value of the property while protecting the environment. I got that you care about the environment and not that you were anti turf at all. It's a good topic to get folks a talking as you can see. Good job.tinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17415302577518111227noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8765612855992884633.post-44149454555997328552011-09-06T15:40:07.188-04:002011-09-06T15:40:07.188-04:00Kayaking on that river at dawn must be heavenly. ...Kayaking on that river at dawn must be heavenly. The photos are so very beautiful and serene.<br /><br />Interesting how an industry lobbyist sought to shut you down that quickly. Looking at the VTGC website, BASF looks like a funder. Follow the money...Hoover Boohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03083294821646284424noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8765612855992884633.post-3049530903058504552011-09-06T11:31:18.356-04:002011-09-06T11:31:18.356-04:00I agree people don't need to give up their law...I agree people don't need to give up their lawns--only learn to maintain them responsibly. The lawn maintenance industry is a bad thing for the environment as it exists today, so dependent on overuse of chemical fertilizers and polluting machines. The industry actually promotes ignorance in order to sell more product. Your post is wonderful. Truth telling. People need to be educated and that's what you're doing. Great post!James Goldenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12718058779971621920noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8765612855992884633.post-14730971925492364242011-09-06T10:39:21.954-04:002011-09-06T10:39:21.954-04:00People, especially people who live near water sour...People, especially people who live near water sources, do need to be more conscious of the fact that how they treat their property effects the land around it. Especially downstream. From chemicals, to basic soil runoff, it doesn't take much to effect the habitat around you. More importantly, it doesn't take much to reduce your impact as well._emily_rosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08044004465736417388noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8765612855992884633.post-10138516688796152892011-09-06T08:18:59.909-04:002011-09-06T08:18:59.909-04:00I came over from one of Joan Perry's posts and...I came over from one of Joan Perry's posts and am fascinated by not only your narrative and photos but also by the comments left here. How wonderful that you have taken time to share your knowledge on your blog as well as the newspaper. Kudos!!Katehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09223040482420514208noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8765612855992884633.post-25019457113576118412011-09-06T03:36:51.689-04:002011-09-06T03:36:51.689-04:00Excellent post all around! Great information for a...Excellent post all around! Great information for all homeowners in our area. I will pass this along. Thanks!Meg Frenchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16327139153765161796noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8765612855992884633.post-82220217415403693692011-09-05T20:48:59.187-04:002011-09-05T20:48:59.187-04:00The turf grass people must be working overtime. I...The turf grass people must be working overtime. In a meeting of Master Gardeners we were told that a survey showed that we as a group had an anti-turf bias. The University which supports our program in the State receives a lot of funding from the turf grass group and we were being warned to speak of the positive attributes of turf.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8765612855992884633.post-18414793769932748282011-09-05T17:59:25.698-04:002011-09-05T17:59:25.698-04:00i'm pretty excited by all the lawn alternative...i'm pretty excited by all the lawn alternative talk going on these days. you've laid out some important points (yay, you!) and it's great to know that people are listening. what a big change we have an opportunity to make in the world by the simple decision to reduce the amount of grass we tend and plant a native something instead!Dariciahttp://acharlottegarden.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8765612855992884633.post-45623444194937314672011-09-05T11:31:33.564-04:002011-09-05T11:31:33.564-04:00Les, I am proud of my anti-turf grass bias and you...Les, I am proud of my anti-turf grass bias and you should be too--great series of events you chronicled. In order to achieve what we want--the reduction (or elimination) of lawns--we need to be diplomatic. But honestly, is there any redeeming value to a non-native monoculture supported by toxic fertilizers and pesticides and displacing plants that would support our increasingly endangered native flora and fauna? As a nursery owner, I use that position to educate my customers about the problems with lawns, and I am glad there are other people in the trade who do the same. The turf grass person who wrote to you is motivated by money--turf grass as manager of nutrients indeed! CarolynCarolyn @ Carolyn's Shade Gardenshttp://carolynsshadegardens.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8765612855992884633.post-16635578289189527312011-09-05T10:50:04.797-04:002011-09-05T10:50:04.797-04:00I've never quite understood the appeal of the ...I've never quite understood the appeal of the expansive green lawn. Some have suggested that we are genetically hardwired with the desire to replicate the open grasslands where humans evolved, but the gene must be suppressed in me. I'm still working on a long term plan to reduce my "lawn" by 5 to 10 percent every year until there's nothing left to mow. <br /><br />So nice to see your thoughtful perspective getting such attention. I'm glad it has such an articulate and eloquent spokesman as you!Michaelhttp://www.fatchance.tumblr.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8765612855992884633.post-3182800238353677092011-09-05T01:34:50.419-04:002011-09-05T01:34:50.419-04:00I think it's wonderful that so many heard your...I think it's wonderful that so many heard your message and wanted to take it further and involve you in the process!danger gardenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09227500551609537140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8765612855992884633.post-71426504222189023452011-09-04T22:36:52.746-04:002011-09-04T22:36:52.746-04:00Good for you. I was just thinking today when I was...Good for you. I was just thinking today when I was out kayaking how very precious it all was and yet it is such a delicate balance, isn't it? Very cool that your letter got such prompt attention.Charlestonjoanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12590582268028752174noreply@blogger.com