The garden experience goes beyond our relationship with our plants. We are also supporting the nature which shares our space. A bird in our own backyard is a reminder that our landscapes are about so much more than us.
How we choose to garden matters. Bird’s are uniquely reliant and sensitive to their environment. So when we pause to observe, they can also teach us much about what’s really going on out there.
These are lessons esteemed author, Margaret Roach, learned many years ago on her property in New York State. Sit back for a glide through Margaret’s garden and a glimpse at the birds who invite her into the wisdom of their quiet habits.
This ornithological relationship motivated Margaret to become a citizen scientist – a program managed through the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. There, they use the latest technology and data provided by gardeners, just like you, to support important bird research.
Our garden experiences will be enriched when we allow our feathered friends to entertain, to enlighten our choices and to influence our design.
Director Carl Pennington filming bird activity in a neighboring field and strategically-placed nesting box.
Additional Resources:
The joe gardener Show podcast: Episode 015-Life Lessons on Gardening and Design with Margaret Roach
The joe gardener Show podcast: Episode 020-Gardening for the Birds with Margaret Roach
The joe gardener Show podcast: Episode 065-Tips For Reducing Garden Overwhelm, With Margaret Roach
The joe gardener Show podcast: 071-Gardening for Wildlife: How-to Create an Inviting Habitat, with NWF’s David Mizijewski
The joe gardener Show podcast: Episode 080-Putting the Garden to Bed: End-of-Season Advice from Margaret Roach
The joe gardener Show podcast: Episode 101-A Way to Garden: Observations and Lessons, with Margaret Roach
Margaret Roach – A Way to Garden
A Way to Garden: A Hands-On Primer for Every Season, by Margaret Roach
The Backyard Parables: Lessons on Gardening and Life, by Margaret Roach
And I Shall Have Some Peace There: Trading in the Fast Lane for My Own Dirt Road, by Margaret Roach
Making A Garden for the Birds: Great resource page on Margaret’s blog on birds and gardening.
All About Birds – Cornell’s Online Guide to Birds
All About Bird Biology – (Interactive) – This site digs deeper and offers interactive learning. It has interactive features and a multimedia library. There is also information on Birdsong Hero and other apps.
Special thanks to The Cornell Lab of Ornithology for their extensive support and media sharing for this episode.
Books and other product links are affiliate links.
About GGWTV
Growing A Greener World is a national gardening series on Public Television that features organic gardening, green living and farm to table cooking. Each episode focuses on compelling and inspirational people making a difference through gardening. This gardening series covers everything from edible gardening and sustainable agriculture to seasonal cooking and preserving the harvest.
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Books and other product links are affiliate links.
