Radical Horticultural Hospitality

In my walks outside, that is before I sprained my ankle, I have been contemplating grass, specifically my yard. Which is not, mind you, predominantly grass: there is clover, dandelion, ivy, wild violet, some varieties (at least two) of grass, and lots of other green stuff. And I realized what you could call it, besides Green, sustainable, environmentally-friendly: hospitable. Yep, we welcome anything that will grow in our yard with open arms (heavens, we don't even kick out fallen leaves or branches!). Anything, that is, that can make do with the soil that is there and the rain that falls. Which might negate the hospitable part, actually, since we don't feed or water or comfort anything much, unless conditions (read "July 2010") really are unbearable. Call it tough love, then. I know I could embrace the whole organic landscaping thing and use natural fertilizers, etc., but, frankly, these days, I have more things to concern myself with than the yard. Besides, I think I like the idea of "anything goes" in the garden. And the squirrels, mourning doves, bumblebees, butterflies, worms, roly polies, even snakes, seem to like it, as do the kids.

Though, I don't think I'd put out the welcome mat for poison ivy . . . .