I Should Kill My Lawn

06/24/2026

I need to repot more milkweed and other plants for pot donations, so I will post here when I'm up and running again!

Send a message to learn more

06/18/2026

Common milkweed is ready! Come by and drop off your 1 gallon or larger pots and take whatever milkweed you could use!

06/16/2026

Starting TOMORROW morning, I will have free common milkweed plants for anyone who brings me plastic nursery pots that are 1 gallon or larger. 3012 Kyle Street in Urbana. One milkweed plant per person, until I can get more potted up.

There will be a tray by the mailbox with the milkweed, and a tray for pots on the other side of the mailbox. So feel free to come by any time starting tomorrow morning!

Remember: only 1 gallon or larger for the pots. I can't use the smaller pots.

I am also taking donations of large furniture-size cardboard boxes. Please drop those by the driveway and help yourself to some milkweed by the mailbox!

05/20/2026

I love CowPots!

05/20/2026

01/20/2026

If you were following me last summer, you know that I suspended all of my plant and gardening activities in July after we learned my mom had cancer. To my family's deepest sadness, we lost her in November.

Gardening was a joy that I shared with my mom. I remember being a small child and playing in the garden while she watered. Words can't express all of the devastation, horror and anguish from the past months. But I guess I don't need to say everything for you to understand why I'm having trouble getting excited about growing again.

Yesterday morning, I was sitting in my office feeling listless, and I noticed something extraordinary. The tree in our backyard was full of bluejays. In years past, I put out suet cages and black oil sunflowers seeds for the birds. And now they were returning to my garden, on the coldest day of the year, searching for my hospitality.

I had the realization that, even if there is nothing more I can do for my mom, there is still care to be given. I bundled up the dogs and myself, went to Farm and Fleet, bought 10 suet cakes, and hung them in the backyard.

A couple hours later, however, there were no birds to be found. Were the cakes stale? Where did the birds go? I was disappointed.

Later, I was on the phone with my counselor. She was telling me that grief never shrinks, your life simply grows up around it. And as I was listening to her, I looked out my office window, and the backyard was full of songbirds! A giant, fat cardinal. Blue birds and jays, and small brown birds that I didn't know the names of. The backyard was aflutter with tiny, colorful wings.

If you're going through a time of grief or loss, just remember: you have so much good to give the world. Even if you think you will not be missed, you will. And in ways you will never even realize! Showing love and kindness to others is the way we get through the darkness.

Here's to the coming growing season, and to the privilege and blessing of caring for others!