|
PRAIRIE UP is a membership-based community exploring artistic, natural garden design using native plants. Curated by author and designer Benjamin Vogt of the firm Monarch Gardens, PRAIRIE UP features native plant profiles, recent environmental science pertaining to built landscapes, in-depth articles on naturalistic design and management, as well as a forum to share up-to-the-minute insights, tribulations, discoveries, and successes from around the country. The community welcomes intermediate gardeners tending private and public landscapes of any size and ecoregion, as well as newbies ready to run fast. Our community is inclusive, supportive, and deeply engaged in the art and practice of nature-inspired landscapes that address environmental issues while appealing aesthetically to people (no weed patches here). We hope to escape the snark and noise of traditional social media in an empowering atmosphere that challenges us to live deeper. |
FAQ
Do I have to live in the Great Plains or Midwest to participate?
No. The principles (and even plants) we will explore in this community are applicable to a variety of ecoregions and landscapes. If we look to just one landscape type, we'll see grasslands are everywhere: from the Gulf Coast of TX and LA, to the Palouse of WA and OR, the Great Basin desert step of UT and ID, large chunks of CA, the Mescalero Sandsheet of southeastern NM, and the Piedmont of VA, NC, SC, and GA, not to mention others like the longleaf pine savannas of FL or meadow remnants in TN and AR. Prairie is everywhere -- and often agriculture is a sign of where it once was. As disturbed landscapes heal themselves, prairie / meadow is often the first stage of restoring ecosystem function; we can use principles from this natural succession in ecological garden design .A key benefit of this community will be to learn from others who are practicing garden design in both similar and radically different ecoregions, taking aspects of what works for others and adapting it to our locale.
How involved will Benjamin be?
Very. Benjamin will be both moderating and contributing to the discussions on the forum, although your engagement will drive the success of what we explore there (it's your forum!). Benjamin will also respond to comments on posts and provide general advice for your particular landscape on all mediums.
Will the forum and weekly posts be available in perpetuity?
As long as you have paid access to the community -- and as long as the service exists -- you will have access to the forum and weekly posts. Once your subscription ends you will not be able to see material from the forum or weekly posts, or any additional new material that will be developed.
Give me one reason NOT to sign up!
You prefer a butterfly bush and hosta garden maintained with copious amounts of fertilizer, wood mulch, and pesticides.
No. The principles (and even plants) we will explore in this community are applicable to a variety of ecoregions and landscapes. If we look to just one landscape type, we'll see grasslands are everywhere: from the Gulf Coast of TX and LA, to the Palouse of WA and OR, the Great Basin desert step of UT and ID, large chunks of CA, the Mescalero Sandsheet of southeastern NM, and the Piedmont of VA, NC, SC, and GA, not to mention others like the longleaf pine savannas of FL or meadow remnants in TN and AR. Prairie is everywhere -- and often agriculture is a sign of where it once was. As disturbed landscapes heal themselves, prairie / meadow is often the first stage of restoring ecosystem function; we can use principles from this natural succession in ecological garden design .A key benefit of this community will be to learn from others who are practicing garden design in both similar and radically different ecoregions, taking aspects of what works for others and adapting it to our locale.
How involved will Benjamin be?
Very. Benjamin will be both moderating and contributing to the discussions on the forum, although your engagement will drive the success of what we explore there (it's your forum!). Benjamin will also respond to comments on posts and provide general advice for your particular landscape on all mediums.
Will the forum and weekly posts be available in perpetuity?
As long as you have paid access to the community -- and as long as the service exists -- you will have access to the forum and weekly posts. Once your subscription ends you will not be able to see material from the forum or weekly posts, or any additional new material that will be developed.
Give me one reason NOT to sign up!
You prefer a butterfly bush and hosta garden maintained with copious amounts of fertilizer, wood mulch, and pesticides.
