Sarah talks to garden designer and author Benjamin Vogt about his book A New Garden Ethic: Cultivating Defiant Compassion for an Uncertain Future.
Benjamin writes in his book how it’s imperative that we take up a new style of gardening, a new garden ethic, and that we do so fast. Benjamin explains what it means for him to garden with every species in mind and what happens when we separate ourselves from the rest of our garden’s community.
Benjamin Vogt runs Monarch Gardens, a prairie garden design practice. His own garden was named a top outdoor space of 2012 by Apartment Therapy and has been featured in Fine Gardening, Garden Design, Nebraska Life, the Omaha World Herald, the Lincoln Journal Star, and on KOLN (Lincoln’s CBS affiliate).
Benjamin wrote an award-winning garden column for Houzz for five years and has contributed to books such as Lawn Gone! and Pollinator Friendly Gardening. His book A New Garden Ethic: Cultivating Defiant Compassion for an Uncertain Future was published in 2017 by New Society Publishers.
We talk about:
What is A New Garden Ethic
Why it’s important that we feel part of the entire community that’s specific to where we live
The effects of a disconnect from nature
Benjamin’s definition of native plants
Benjamin’s design work and plant palette
Objections to using native plants
Links
Benjamin Vogt – Monarch Gardens www.monarchgard.com
Benjamin on Twitter @BRVogt
