Because they’re interested in nature, my “City Sons” know a lot about plants and animals. That’s why, when it came time to replace several fruit trees that had died during Little Rock’s increasingly harsh winters, I asked them for advice.
Lawn Tips
A few years ago, at their suggestion, I stopped weed-and-feeding my lawn, which had been suffering from fungus and brown spots. Their idea was to restore grass diversity, a natural cure, and it worked! I also learned that broadleaf killer doesn’t just kill weeds; it also harm trees. Who knew trees were part of the broadleaf family? And a value-added was all the lovely clover (another broadleaf) that springs up every year.
In remembering this diversity lesson from my sons, I bought three different varieties of plum trees to replace the ones that died. Last night, as we cocktailed on the porch and played in the yard, son Matt and I took note of how healthy everything looked. The old gardenia bush was especially happy and the hickory tree on the other side of the yard was producing nuts for the first time in years.
It looks like it, too, appreciated a little diversity.
Nature’s Way of Telling Us
Nature seems to understand something that people know but often forget; diversity creates resilience. A lawn with only one type of grass struggles when conditions change. A yard filled with different plants adapts and survives.
I know it takes work, and sometimes energy we don’t have, but exposure to different cultures, ideas, and ways of thinking strengthens us, it helps us grow as individuals and in groups.
The balance of Life. Thank you Mother Nature for the reminder.
About the Author
Kerry McCoy founded FlagandBanner.com in 1975 with just $400 and a dream, building it from door-to-door flag sales into a multi-million dollar enterprise. With over five decades in the American flag and banner business, her insights into patriotic trends and flag sales patterns come from serving customers nationwide during times of celebration, crisis, and everything in between.
Kerry is also the host of “Up in Your Business with Kerry McCoy” radio show and continues expanding her business empire through Kerry McCoy Enterprises while sharing the entrepreneurial wisdom gained from decades of building the American dream.
