On the QT | The Official Newsletter of GWA April - May 2017

which capture thousands of gallons of water and disperse it right where it’s needed most. AC T LO C A L LY Laura Ekasetya is director and head horticul- turist at Lurie Garden, a rooftop meadow in Chi- cago’s Millennium Park, where supporting local ecology is an important part of its sustainable practices. About 35 percent of the perennials are prairie plants, which are very adaptable to the extreme hot, cold and humidity of the Midwest. In late winter, this large meadow garden is cut down and roughly chopped. Care is taken to protect overwintering native bees and insect eggs, leaving the garden as undisturbed as possible. “All cutback stays on site, providing mulch for the new season’s growth and a feast relationships between people and their environ- ment. “My new approach to gardening is tapping into a network of gardening friends, rather than trying to do it all myself. I have a friend who raises chickens, one’s a master at kale and broccoli, and another grows delicious tomatoes. One friend is really good at providing me with larkspur and cosmos seed, which she suggested I use as a non-traditional summertime crop to keep down weeds and maintain soil moisture,” he said. Creating a gardening community is an engaging way to share fresh food, flowers, and ecologically responsible techniques. If you hav- en’t already, try creating one in your town. GWA Sustainability Award Deadline May 1 BY LOIS DE VRIES Who do you know who deserves to be recognized for their work in sustainable gardening? GWA’s new Green Medal Sustainability Award recognizes an hon- oree who embodies the highest ideals of leadership in promoting earth-wise gardening. It is open to both members and non-members in all professions and allied trades. Nominate a colleague (or yourself ) whose outstanding vision, contribu- tions, exemplary accomplishments, or milestone achievements have helped people see how gardening in harmony with the Earth’s natural systems is good for themselves as well as our planet. Submit the completed nomination form by May 1. Well-designed bioswales provide curb appeal while retaining rainwater on site. of seeds and insects for migrating birds,” Laura said. Anne Marie Van Nest moved to a new home in St. Davids, Ontario. She’s really excited about developing the garden where she plans to use lots of pollinator plants throughout, include shallow water for birds, and a sunny mud puddle for butterflies. The lawn-free zone will contain masses of native plants. Local stone will form a terrace and pathway. CREATE COMMUNITY Preston Montague is an artist, educator and landscape designer in Durham, North Carolina, working on projects that encourage stronger RESOURCES: • Biointensive Gardening http://www.growbiointensive.org • Square Foot Gardening http://www.squarefootgardening.com • Pollinator Partnership www.pollinator.org • Bioswales www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/nrcs144p2_029251.pdf • Native Plants, Mulching, Growing Texas Bluebonnets Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center www.wildflower.org drop down tab: Learn/Pro Tips Marcia Tate is a garden coach, designer, photographer, writer and teacher with a deep respect for landscapes respon- sibly connected to the earth. In addition to her horticultural work with private and commercial clients, Marcia is a popular speaker and workshop leader at regional gardens, industry conferences and garden clubs. She’s cultivating a better world in Zone 7A, Media, Pennsylvania. Find out more at: www.marciatate.com www.gardeninfluence.com 19

On the QT | The Official Newsletter of GWA April - May 2017 | Page 19