...and to save the planet

Becoming an environmentalist was probably the most profound change in my life. Never did I use round-up or other poisons, even when they said it was safe.  Don’t get me wrong, I’ve planted many non-native species but something has changed within the last year or so. Since moving from Chicago to Atlanta, I’ve noticed that many non-natives take over down here. Sure, barberry and burning bush were just as useless up north but here, non-natives have more growing time and spreading time.

I’ve pulled out countless Japanese and Chinese privet just to watch it bloom profusely in my neighbors yard. In the early spring, various aggressive clematis sprouted up everywhere. After taking them out with my trusty camping shovel, many more have cropped up within a month.

What can we do you ask? Recognizing them is a start.