Local Ecologist

I have always been fascinated by the tools people use in their work.  I asked plantsman Allen Bush to tell us about his tools of the trade and he shared his essential planting, weeding, and watering tools. There are three garden tools that I won’t be without. You can plant, weed and water with these for a total cost in the neighborhood of $ 240.00 You can certainly find a digging knife, a hoe and watering can for less, but you’ll be pleased with these. They’re all durable and long lasting, if you don’t lose them or run over them. I do all my small plantings in loose soil with the Leonard Stainless Steel Soil knife . ($18.00 from A.M. Leonard.) I find a trowel to be big for my needs and not as versatile. I spend a lot of time weeding on my hands and knees. The soil knife will take care of the small weeds and is handy for close range weeding when you can scoot around tall tomato plants and stir the soil without risk of chopping off the plant with a scuffle hoe – my next sugge

Wild About is a celebration of the flora and fauna commonly found in our cities. Instead of fact sheets, this space will showcase books, art, music, societies, and whimsical objects about urban-adaptable plants and animals. If you would like to see your favorite urban-oriented plant or animal featured, please email us at info(at)localecology.org. Image: Insect hotel designed by Laurie Chetwood and Patrick Collins, Chelsea Flower Show 2011 Note: This installation of Wild About is not strictly urban but there are certainly populations of edible insects thriving in cities. You've probably seen a recipe in which the lead ingredient is an undesirable plant species aka a weed.  The first recipe of this kind I encountered was the knotweed crumble recipe from the Franklin Park Coalition based in Boston.  These types of recipes are not limited to weedy and invasive plants.  You can eat Asian carp and Asian shore crab.  Check out the websites Eat the Invaders and Invasivore .

Image: Ted Turner building parking lot, Atlanta Image: SMUD parking lot, Sacramento Image: Public Safety Building rooftop, Santa Monica P.S. A reader (Albina N Muro) brought the following news item to our attention: American Legislative Exchange Council (Alec) calls for penalties on 'freerider' homeowners in assault on clean energy via The Guardian .