Interview with Diane Jones

Diane says that fall is the perfect time to kill your lawn! Here's how: smother your lawn with autumn leaves. Get them from your neighbors if you don't have enough, because you'll want a layer 6-8 inches deep. Wet them down to keep them from blowing away, and by spring, not only will your lawn will be good and dead, it will be nicely mulched with the decaying leaves. You can plant native perennials directly into it. Seed germination methodology for penstemons (if you want to try growing your own - now is the time!) Idaho Rivers United water conservation pages explains why it's important to reduce water use and gives you advice on how to achieve just that. Diane Jones runs Draggin' Wing Farm, which specializes in hardy, drought-tolerant perennials. You can still find her plants at the Boise Co-Op, and again in the spring at the Annual Idaho Native Plant Society Plant Sale. She's also at the downtown Boise's Farmers Market Saturday mornings. You can also visit her nursery Tuesdays 9am to noon, and 5pm-8pm through October. She is in the process of establishing demonstration beds to showcase the many varieties of xeric alternatives to lawns. and roses. Draggin' Wing Farm is located on Stinger St off Castle Drive in NW Boise. You can call her at 345-4199, or hardyplants@cableone.net.