Looking Back is a great activity for early January. It involves at least 6 components:
The goals you made – One might have been to plant a pollinator plot. Through a variety of influences, our essential pollinators are on the decline and their population increased. Another might have been to do a better job of weeding. Weeds compete with our desirable plants for moisture and nutrients, can spread readily and look ugly. Another might have been to take frequent walks for the exercise, but also to go to different neighborhoods and notice other landscapes for gardening ideas. Did you accomplish any of these?
The stories you heard – A few years back, a popular talk show host claimed that the best stories that people share at a party are in the kitchen, when everyone else was supposed to be making polite conversation in the living room. Those bits and pieces of shared experiences usually involve gardening, especially once the others find out that you’re interested in tips, tricks and techniques and have a few stories of your own to share. Did you hear anything you’d like to try out for yourself?
The people you met – Similar to the stories, the smartest person in the room is usually the one who has tried this and that, learned from the failures and successes and adapted accordingly. Did you talk to anyone special recently?
The places you traveled – Gardening in various parts of the world is still gardening at its core. The difference is the weather and the local customs. Did you see something different such as houseplants growing outside in the landscape in warmer climates or veggies growing in the front yard since space was limited?
The plants you tried, the plants you removed – Sometimes the plants we pick simply don’t grow well for various reasons. These include sunlight limitations, wind/air circulation, pests, age and space allowances. Think about the plants that didn’t fit the bill and needed to be removed.
The changes you made. The credo of a wise former Nebraska Extension horticulturist is “A landscape is never finished.” As such, changes always need to be made. They include watering when needed instead of on a pre-determined schedule, separating trees and turf, starting to feed birds for winter enjoyment and ripping out or enlarging the veggie garden.
All of these considerations are great to reflect on, but as you do, it’s important to sift them through the filters of unbiased research recommendations, integrated pest management and right plant, right place.
Unbiased research recommendations. There is lots and lots of information available online, but many are Dot.com sources. While there is nothing wrong with these per se, actually many are quite good, but there is always a sales component to them, therefore they are biased for business purposes. Sources that end in dot.edu, dot.org and dot gov are primarily available for informational uses only. Most are based on research trials conducted by various land grant universities and organizations.
Integrated pest management (IPM). Common sense pest control involves the use of all available methods including resistant cultivars/varieties, proper pruning methods, proven planting techniques and appropriate timing. Pesticide applications are included in IPM, however, the other non-pesticide procedures are relied on heavily in order achieve control.
Right Plant, Right Place. Sun preferring plants often attract pests when planted in the shade and vice-versa. When plants are installed in unsuitable locations, they struggle due to various reasons and a higher pest incidence develops.
Looking Forward is just as important. The logical first step is to consider goals and activities that didn’t get implemented and consider if they are feasible for the upcoming year. Just like Looking Back, Right Plant Right Place, IPM and unbiased research recommendations are important components of managing a healthy landscape.
