Stop 3: Native Plants

Native plants, like the black eyed susan and purple coneflower in this flower bed, are great additions to your landscape. They help manage storm water run off, improve air quality and provide food and shelter for birds, native bees and butterflies! The roots of native plants run deep. Over the ages, they have adapted to our climate and require less water or fertilizer (if any). Plus, they’re beautiful!

Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. ³⁵ For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. ³⁶ What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? ³⁷ Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?

Mark 8:34-37

Practice

JOURNAL: Gardening is difficult – and so is fighting for a healthy home planet. What do you find most challenging about this work? Which activities? Which emotions?

DISCUSS: Jesus’ metaphor of “taking up your cross” doesn’t mean we should court suffering. It does recognize that following Jesus, loving God and neighbor, involves suffering. What keeps you going when the going gets tough?

DISCUSS: Look around your neighborhood, your town, your community. What “gardening” needs to be done? What “seeds” need planting? What “compost” needs to be added? What are exciting things happening – or being hindered?

FOR FAMILIES: Let’s clean up the garden this week! Pick a local park or patch of woods, bring a trash bag, and leave the place better and more beautiful than you found it.

LEARN:

• Connect with the Cuyahoga County Soil & Water Conservation District.
• Bring your garden to life with this Native Plant Finder from the National Wildlife Service.
• Learn about Rain Gardens, which incorporate native plants and help mitigate storm water runoff, with this article in Northeast Ohio Boomer, written by a member of Brecksville’s Emerald Necklace Garden Club, Donna Hessel.
• Shrink Your Lawn!