I don't know if mountain beavers occur in Seattle or not, but some of those like Sharon working on forest restoration in Seattle Parks seem to think them detrimental to their efforts. Mountain Beavers: An Important Prey Species for Larger Owls in Seattle’s Parks and Open Spaces - WNPS Blog - Botanical Rambles
Also regarding them, an amusing and interesting article - The Great Giant Flea Hunt - The New York Times
1. Several people have written in regard to The Clash and I Fought the Law. I know that they "only" covered the song and didn't write it. I mentioned them because I am a big fan and meant no disrespect to other groups.
2. I should clarify my statement about mountain beavers. They are found in the city but not, or at least rarely, in backyards.
during the recent cold snap flocks of robins and juncos came to our backyard wildlife habitat of a yard and stripped the viburnum, snowberry and huckleberry bushes. They took baths in our warmed bird bath and looked into our windows. Hummingbirds who visit the yard were there at dawn as I put out the feeders. we removed our lawn years ago and now again, I need more space!
The month before the pandemic hit town we had our pitiful front lawn removed. It had been lovely for years until the beetles, crows and raccoons made it a lumpy dead mess.
We had the gardener put in river rock that covers the yard area plus the strip between curb and sidewalk. Our plan was to push the rock around and put some cool big boulders and plants.
Now three years later it is still just river rock. However, it is loved by the kids in the hood, the crows and larger birds and we never get dog poop in our yard. Not sure we will ever plant anything in it. Kind of grew on us over the years. Warning to anyone who wants to put rock in their yard. It does require weeding. My neighbors big trees keep seeding it with baby trees that need to be removed. I enjoy weeding it though. My neighbors come by walking their dogs and we have a good chat.
Nice blog post. I am guilty of admiring a rat who sneaks in to enjoy birdseed which has fallen (pushed out by a Starling more likely) under the feeder at my house in Seattle, so I get the vibe. God forbid!
Oh, I used to be in a band in Anchorage and we used to open with The Clash song, Clampdown. It has a great build-up.
I laughed at your tongue in cheek humor several times in today's episode. Wonderful information for folks. Conservation Districts often help with nativizing yards, if you ever want to mention their programs. I recently learned that the Red hawthorns growing on my 22 acres are invasive and will be cutting them down and making habitat piles for critters to use for shelter.https://www.nnrg.org/habitat-piles/ Can't wait to listen to your podcast. Thank you
When I bought my house iseveral years ago there were 13 rose bushes and a lot of turf grass in the front yard. As I dug out 12 of the roses and all of the turf grass on the way to installing ornamental grasses, various perennials and 11 other trees and shrubs, my next door neighbor expressed extreme concern that I was replacing the lawn with PLANTS!!! I pointed out that grass is a plant, too. The rest of the neighborhood likes it, though, and I love that I can sit out there in the summer, hidden from the sidewalk mere feet away, entertained by a symphony of bees and the occasional hummingbird territorial spat.
I do regret that I've created a habitat hospitable to snails. But not being able to grow hostas is a small price to pay for a better view than the monotony of grass.
That was such a great piece in the NY Times. We also quickly converted front yard grass (half moss, really) shortly after moving in 20+ years ago, your transformation more dramatic than ours. Did you also replant the parking strip area? I'd love to do that too but haven't gotten far.
We didn't replace the parking strip; it's pretty minimal. Right now though mint is spreading across the strip and I am trying to help it along the best I can.
Thank you!! What a nice way to start a sunny, cold Holidayish morning. Love the story of your nest (home). Sweet, touching and full of nature and the joy related to!!
Lawns are the shag carpet of the landscaping business; used exponentially more often than actually appropriate.
Lawns are second to asphalt in terms of run-off to absorption ratio.
I eliminated the lawn of my first house, and in my current one eliminated much of it. The rest gets minimal attention. When it is half way to my knees I mow it down--going around any wildflowers I happen to like. My definition of a "lawn" is green and can be mowed; I dont' think it is even 50% grass. I don't rake it either. Just run over the leaves--and there are copious amounts of them-- with a mulching mower. Somehow it always greens up in spring anyway sans fertilizer, pesticide, insecticide, or the aid of leaf blowers.
I don't know if mountain beavers occur in Seattle or not, but some of those like Sharon working on forest restoration in Seattle Parks seem to think them detrimental to their efforts. Mountain Beavers: An Important Prey Species for Larger Owls in Seattle’s Parks and Open Spaces - WNPS Blog - Botanical Rambles
Also regarding them, an amusing and interesting article - The Great Giant Flea Hunt - The New York Times
Thanks for the story. Here's a link to it. https://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/29/science/the-great-giant-flea-hunt.html
A couple of things.
1. Several people have written in regard to The Clash and I Fought the Law. I know that they "only" covered the song and didn't write it. I mentioned them because I am a big fan and meant no disrespect to other groups.
2. I should clarify my statement about mountain beavers. They are found in the city but not, or at least rarely, in backyards.
during the recent cold snap flocks of robins and juncos came to our backyard wildlife habitat of a yard and stripped the viburnum, snowberry and huckleberry bushes. They took baths in our warmed bird bath and looked into our windows. Hummingbirds who visit the yard were there at dawn as I put out the feeders. we removed our lawn years ago and now again, I need more space!
Great story! Love the "wild" front yard!
The month before the pandemic hit town we had our pitiful front lawn removed. It had been lovely for years until the beetles, crows and raccoons made it a lumpy dead mess.
We had the gardener put in river rock that covers the yard area plus the strip between curb and sidewalk. Our plan was to push the rock around and put some cool big boulders and plants.
Now three years later it is still just river rock. However, it is loved by the kids in the hood, the crows and larger birds and we never get dog poop in our yard. Not sure we will ever plant anything in it. Kind of grew on us over the years. Warning to anyone who wants to put rock in their yard. It does require weeding. My neighbors big trees keep seeding it with baby trees that need to be removed. I enjoy weeding it though. My neighbors come by walking their dogs and we have a good chat.
Banish that grass!
Nice blog post. I am guilty of admiring a rat who sneaks in to enjoy birdseed which has fallen (pushed out by a Starling more likely) under the feeder at my house in Seattle, so I get the vibe. God forbid!
Oh, I used to be in a band in Anchorage and we used to open with The Clash song, Clampdown. It has a great build-up.
I laughed at your tongue in cheek humor several times in today's episode. Wonderful information for folks. Conservation Districts often help with nativizing yards, if you ever want to mention their programs. I recently learned that the Red hawthorns growing on my 22 acres are invasive and will be cutting them down and making habitat piles for critters to use for shelter.https://www.nnrg.org/habitat-piles/ Can't wait to listen to your podcast. Thank you
When I bought my house iseveral years ago there were 13 rose bushes and a lot of turf grass in the front yard. As I dug out 12 of the roses and all of the turf grass on the way to installing ornamental grasses, various perennials and 11 other trees and shrubs, my next door neighbor expressed extreme concern that I was replacing the lawn with PLANTS!!! I pointed out that grass is a plant, too. The rest of the neighborhood likes it, though, and I love that I can sit out there in the summer, hidden from the sidewalk mere feet away, entertained by a symphony of bees and the occasional hummingbird territorial spat.
I do regret that I've created a habitat hospitable to snails. But not being able to grow hostas is a small price to pay for a better view than the monotony of grass.
That was such a great piece in the NY Times. We also quickly converted front yard grass (half moss, really) shortly after moving in 20+ years ago, your transformation more dramatic than ours. Did you also replant the parking strip area? I'd love to do that too but haven't gotten far.
We didn't replace the parking strip; it's pretty minimal. Right now though mint is spreading across the strip and I am trying to help it along the best I can.
Thank you!! What a nice way to start a sunny, cold Holidayish morning. Love the story of your nest (home). Sweet, touching and full of nature and the joy related to!!
Happiest of Holidays to you and your wife!
Thank you and happy holidays to you, too.
Nice work eliminating your lawn!
Lawns are the shag carpet of the landscaping business; used exponentially more often than actually appropriate.
Lawns are second to asphalt in terms of run-off to absorption ratio.
I eliminated the lawn of my first house, and in my current one eliminated much of it. The rest gets minimal attention. When it is half way to my knees I mow it down--going around any wildflowers I happen to like. My definition of a "lawn" is green and can be mowed; I dont' think it is even 50% grass. I don't rake it either. Just run over the leaves--and there are copious amounts of them-- with a mulching mower. Somehow it always greens up in spring anyway sans fertilizer, pesticide, insecticide, or the aid of leaf blowers.
What, how can you survive without a leaf blower? Shocking!
Your lawn sounds like your sister's or what she's trying to do.
Pretty sure the neighbors back East wanted the plants arranged in rows like tombstones, David.
Sounds logical to me!