Spring has sprung (past tense)
It’s hot out, you know it, I know it, the plants know it. With last Summer’s heat dome and drought fresh in our collective memory, I can feel some apprehension and anxious anticipation with the coming dog days of Summer. And with good reason; I certainly could not anticipate the psychological effects of a New Orleans Summer without steady afternoon thunderstorms and a salt wedge in the River and our marshes. Obviously the physical effects on the landscape, both manmade and natural, took their toll. Gardens withered, the marsh caught fire, and people died from the heat (69 in 2023 according to the LDH). Summer in the South can be dangerous, and we need to respect the change in the season.
In the landscape, Summer is the time to test the foundation you have built in Spring. Have you built a robust, healthy ecosystem that can support itself through the hotter months? Obviously tend to it as it requires, but now is not the time to undertake large plantings and new major projects. Planting at this time of the year is detrimental to the plants and gardener’s alike. New plants have not had the time to develop roots in the native soil, searching for water, and will require coddling through the heat as they establish themselves.
The same goes for New Orleanians. We all worked, and presumably partied, hard this Spring, now is the time to slow down, sip a hydrating cold drink, be proud of the work we have accomplished so far this year, and take a siesta after lunch (more on this later).
As a company, Murier has much to be proud of. In April we marked one year in business. Across our clients we utilized over 25 species of native plants, which support countless pollinators, birds, and small animals; and we manage up to 2320 gallons of water each time it rains. One of those sites, the non-profit Propeller at 4035 Washington Ave, is capable of retaining 1,320 gallons of water and is Murier’s first commercial client. Finally, Murier has its own, in-house nursery that supports our landscaping projects. Now in Summer we are working hard to turn inward and improve our operation for the Fall planting season.
Now, back to siestas. I firmly believe that if there is any city and any people in the United States capable of implementing a siesta it is right here in New Orleans. None of us are getting anything done during peak oppressive heat hours anyway, let’s just nap through it. Siestas are good for you, plain and simple. After a morning of hard work, a healthy lunch and a siesta improve afternoon cognition and focus. A short nap can also help reduce body temperature and give the body some much needed rest after exerting itself. Personally, siestas help me feel more like a human after working hot mornings and make sure I’m not working through a brain fog in the afternoon. They just feel good! I know it is not easy to break from the standard 9-5 workday, but we owe it to ourselves to weave this practice into the cultural and social fabric of this city.