Linking About: ‘Nature amnesia,’ ‘Glorians,’ ‘Chop and drop’ ...

There is a churchyard nearby that I know to be ringed in daffodils, and the tips of their foliage are just beginning to poke up from the earth, a little ahead of schedule honestly. Apart from that tiny signal, I know spring is imminent because it’s all over my IG feed — people in the UK or the Southern US sharing pics of redbuds in bloom and gardens full of every sort of late-winter blossom and early-spring ephemeral. I’m trying not to be envious — reminding myself how much I prefer cool over hot air, no rush for that — and to just be grateful for the vicarious spring experience for now. So please, tell me what’s springing up wherever you are! And in return, I’ve got lots of great links for you to explore this weekend—

• First, speaking of patience, don’t start that garden “clean-up” too soon. When you do, consider the “chop and drop” technique — thanks for the term, RHS!

• Surface Mag: “Describe the problem your work solves.” 
Jean-Marc Flack: “Nature Amnesia.”
(Go for the quote, stay for the rest — and those pics!)

• I LOVE a dry garden (credit to my California gardening roots) and so loved this virtual visit to Vivero San Gabriel in Chile (via The World of Interiors), where gardener Ximena Nazal has created a refuge for rare local plants threatened by climate, poachers and British-leaning garden aesthetics. The piece is written by Lottie Delmain, whose book Gardens That Can Save the World is at the top of my get list, just as soon as it publishes in the US, and this is one of the included gardens.

• Also swooning over this lush Australian bush garden in The Design Files. (That brick path winding through the grasses? Yes, please.)

• Speaking of vicarious blooms, this cultivated-field-turned-meadow transformation is stunning to swipe through.

• The bad news: Birds aren’t just declining. They’re declining faster ... (NYT Gift Link)

• Very into this simple/clever “dead hedge” situation. And my old studio neighbor Morgan (of Handmade Studio TN) making custom dishware imprinted with a client’s dried plant material.

• I enjoyed Terry Tempest Williams on the Atmos podcast this week, talking about her latest book, The Glorians: Visitations from the Holy Ordinary.

• ‘How do you keep a beloved heritage garden true to its original innovative spirit after its creator has gone?’ Gardens Illustrated talks to four garden custodians facing that challenge.

• Why do dead leaves helpfully stay on some trees and shrubs through winter? (Including one of my oakleaf hydrangeas, it turns out.) Marcescence.

• Chef Michael Twitty will be planting an Edna Lewis-inspired vegetable garden this year, in honor of the 50th anniversary of her classic cookbook The Taste of Country Cooking. I trust he’ll be sharing more about it on Insta.

Have you started planning your veg garden for the season? I have not, but there has been movement on the courtyard plan, which I’m excited to share soon!

Please note: the book links in this post go to my Bookshop.org shop, where I am an affiliate. When you order books through my links, I may make a few cents on the purchase — and I appreciate the support!