haironfire's Profile

Having a name doesn't mean that something is trendy ( Democracy?). Wabi Sabi is an apt name applied to a ethos that has been around forever- we just keep rediscovering it. It is a good concept to embrace right now- seeking beauty in what is old and servicable, and spare. There is a season for everthing, and this just might be the season of Wabi Sabi. Thank goodness.

We can only hope that that there will be a cultural shift toward healthy choices.

We are about to visit our local bookstore, to purchase Pollan's new book, In Defense of Food. Having read a few advance reviews of the book, I am reminded onf the advice that was given by... was it Adele Davis? Frances Moore Lappe?... in the 1960s and 1970s, to limit one's purchases at the grocery store, to only unpackaged, unprocessed foods, and no meat. My husband and I subscribed to this practice in 1978, and in short order, lost weight and saved quite a bit of money on our groceries....the average cost per grocery bag dropped from over $20 per bag... to less than $5 per bag. That was our first ( intentional adventure in frugality, and while we haven't alway adhered strictly to the formula, (exotic and "organic" ingredients have skewed the cost of our groceries a bit over time!!) we do continue to avoid processed foods ( even the so-called vegetarian kind). We have pretty much maintained our college-period weight, and have been free from major illness. Unfortunately, we are viewed by family and friends as the throw back, nutty hippies. Not clear why our vigor and health does not speak for itself. Bad habits ( fast food), apparently, die hard.

My simple guidelines based on eight years of window box failures and successes:

1. Pick flowers that will not "drown" if you have a week of cool wet weather. I love begonias, but they fail miserably during wet spells. Petunias, morning glories, and pansies are pretty durable, and will flower most of the summer if fertilized periodically. Mandiville are fabulous, and have big glossy leaves, as well as beautiful, sexy blooms.

2. Add polymer granules, that hold water, to your potting soil BEFORE you plant. This really does work, and serves as insurance for missed waterings during hot spells.

3. Plants get tired. Fertilize every two weeks during hot spells and once the plants are flowering. It is unreasonable to expect miraculous blooms to last more than two months or so, under the best of conditions. Plan on adding new, younger plants that are more appropriate to the season in mid August. Except for Mandiville- which should keep blooming right through October if you can protect from Frost.

Good Luck!