This Cover Up Retrospective (Part 1) is a series of previously aired short segments focused on ground covers and vines. We’ve packaged them together for your easier access. Featuring Master Gardener Volunteers, Tim Kennelty and Jean Thomas, it focuses on some of their favorite plants that do well to ‘cover up’ rock walls, trellises, as well as the ground. As with all plants, their beauty and functionality vary based on the eye of the individual gardener. This episode includes three of these segments.

The first focuses on Ajuga and Trumpet Vine. Jean starts off with a discussion on ajuga, also commonly known as bugle weed. A relative of the mint family, the speed of its lateral spread is based on light conditions, but its foliage provides its ‘star’ quality. Tim then talks about trumpet vine which can be aggressive, even though it is not ‘invasive’. Just make sure to plant it to enjoy its showy blooms on a strong structure or rock wall. It needs sun but is drought tolerant and deer resistant. Hummingbirds love it as well as bees and the sphinx moth.

The second segment features two wild strawberry plants and scarlet runner beans. Tim loves the ever green and versatile wild strawberry which spreads with runners and feeds multiple birds and other wildlife. But he also likes the barren strawberry which has yellow flowers inedible fruit, and spreads via rhizomes. One of Jean’s favorite vines in the scarlet runner bean, an annual that arrived in the US with the pilgrims. If deer visit your garden, make sure the fence this plant so that you get a chance to enjoy it.

The third segment is all about the color ‘coral’. Heuchera (a.k.a. coral bells) is a hummingbird favorite ground cover with its graceful flowers, but it is really loved for its foliage that is available in multiple colors. There are 35 species of heuchera in the USA, so there is bound to be one just right for your garden. Coral honeysuckle is native to the southern US, but hardy in our NY zones A sun lover, it can grow up to 20 feet long producing red/orange flowers. It is even deer and rabbit resistant with lots of birds enjoying its red fruit. Just make sure not to confuse it with the invasive bush honeysuckle variety.

Until next time!

Host: Jean Thomas

Guests: Tim Kennelty and Jean Thomas

Photo by: Jean Thomas

Production Support: Linda Aydlett, Deven Connelly, Teresa Golden, Xandra Powers, Annie Scibienski, Jean Thomas

Green burials, also referred to as natural burials, are structured to care for the dead with minimal impact to the environment.

In many ways, green burials are a return to the past with simple methods. We once disposed of our dead in earth-friendly, regenerative ways with no chemicals and biodegradable containers. Dust to dust. But over the last 150 years, death care has become toxic and polluting in the United States. Over the last two decades, however, green burials are increasingly considered a sustainable death care choice that contributes to a healthier and less wasteful planet.

In today’s world, most death rites are linked to a $15 billion market of goods and services including cultural traditions, use of chemical embalming, sealed hardwood and metal caskets, reinforced concrete vaults and liners, and restrictive cemetery rules. Rituals can vary widely along ethnic, geographical, and religious lines.

In contrast, natural burials help to curb unsustainable conventional care of a deceased body that pollute, dishonor natural decomposition processes, and provide grieving families to experiences of loss, through a connection to each other as well as the natural world.

Suzanne Kelly, an author, scholar, farmer, cemetery administrator, and resident of the Hudson Valley, explores the myths that drive many of our standard environmentally damaging burial practices. In her book, Greening Death – Reclaiming Burial Practices and Restoring Our Tie to the Earth, she explores the myths that drive many of our standard environmentally damaging burial practices and the movement to ‘green’ death while integrating death and life.

In this episode of Nature Calls; Conversations from the Hudson Valley, learn how people are reclaiming old practices of death care in new ways and thus changing the American way of death. Suzanne sheds light on the ways in which individuals can make a positive impact on the planet even in death. As the movement lays claim to greener, simpler, and more cost-efficient practices, it also offers tangible way of restoring our relationship to nature.

Hosts: Jean Thomas and Teresa Golden

Guest: Suzanne Kelly

Photo by: Teresa Golden

Production Support: Linda Aydlett, Deven Connelly, Teresa Golden, Tim Kennelty, Xandra Powers, Annie Scibienski, Robin Smith

Rob Handel is a chef, forager, caterer and educator. He joins Nature Calls: Conversations from the Hudson Valley in a discussion about his farm-to-table business both in-home and as a corporate caterer. A native of the Hudson Valley, he grew up with a love of nature. He tends to be a trend-setter. Lilac lemonade anyone?

Rob likes to educate folks about how to bring wonderful ingredients, that are farmed and foraged in the Catskills and the Hudson Valley, to plates across Upstate New York. With experience catering locally sourced meals for groups ranging in size from 2-200, he provides unique and thoughtful fare that cannot be found elsewhere. He pairs locally farmed and foraged produce with the grass-fed and pastured meats and poultry.

If you are interested in restaurant quality meals, cooking and foraging presentations, hand on classes, or foraging walks throughout the Northeast, give Rob a call! With years of experience working in unfamiliar home kitchens, bringing all the tools necessary to prepare a multi-course meal, he prepares, cooks, serves AND cleans up, leaving the kitchen clean and ready for the next day. He sounds perfect for bachelorette/bachelor parties, birthday weekends, family vacations, and holiday parties.

Hosts: Jean Thomas and Teresa Golden

Guest: Rob Handel

Photo by: Rob Handel

Production Support: Linda Aydlett, Deven Connelly, Teresa Golden, Tim Kennelty, Robin Smith, Annie Scibienski

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