Dave Coulter
Rough Edges

I have been a horticulturist for thirty years working in the Chicago area and beyond. I have lived in Oak Park for over thirteen years. My writing has recently appeared in the journal Ecological Restoration and I was a contributor to The Field Guide to Surreal Botany. Apart from my own blog I have also contributed to the online sites Gapers Block and A Prairie Journal. I often find myself hugging trees, squinting at stars, cutting buckthorn, or focusing too late on a bird that got away. I've been told I do a pretty fair imitation of a cicada song- but that all of my other animal calls sound alike.
News Articles
Not sure how I feel about the passing of Borders

Tuesday, July 26th, 2011 10:00 PM
I generally take a market approach to business news. If some big business failed I would usually chalk it up to a series of logical reasons and move on. I didn't shed a tear when Marshall Field's became Macy's, or when Blockbuster stores started to get shuttered. I'm not exactly sure how I feel about the news that Borders will be closing. Books are near and dear to my heart, and there once was a time when Borders was the cool bookstore.
Blogs
Mother's Day on New Palin - The 2090 Crop is Shaping Up
Monday, May 14th, 2012 5:55 AM

Sunday, May 13th, 2012 6:01 PM
A bed of Irises were aglow Sunday afternoon at the Cheney Mansion.

Friday, May 11th, 2012 3:15 PM
Walking in Circles - The Migrants of May
Monday, May 7th, 2012 5:55 AM

Friday, May 4th, 2012 1:11 PM

Wednesday, May 2nd, 2012 7:42 PM
A Tree Peony seen in Glorious Full Bloom in a local garden earlier today.
Walking in Circles - A Really Big Idea

Sunday, April 29th, 2012 1:01 AM
I know there are many readers here in town that look to yours truly for inspiration. Not an easy task I say, but this time I think have stumbled (almost literally) on an idea that could really benefit all of us here in Oak Park - residents and businesses alike! And the idea is free, and it's right under our noses. Well, more specifically, under our feet.

Friday, April 27th, 2012 8:14 AM

Thursday, April 26th, 2012 6:38 PM

Tuesday, April 24th, 2012 2:57 PM
A local garden glows in the morning light early yesterday.
Latest Comments
- I wish I had known there was a...
- Kyle - got a little story for you. ...
- Just Saying - The surplus referred...
- I've already started- thanks...
- Congratulations to Iris Saavedra...
- The entire issue should have been...
- I don't understand why Roger,...
- If it is a prank, the prankster...
- Kyle - the village budget is very...
- Still wondering what they were...
- Shame on you teachers, firefighters...
- JBM, do you know what surplus...
- I actually would agree that there...
- @All - No Lie --- May 14/2012...
- Although it is most likely a prank,...
- ghost is likely...
- I find it disingenuous that you...
- Ghost of Zuppke from Oak Park, that...
- All of the teachers who got RIFed...
- VOP has NOT taken money from street...
- Whoa, Muriel. Where in God's...
- Thanks for highlighting such a...
- I would like to know why I have to...
- Gee, I wonder who stole them? Could...
- As long as we tolerate a violent...
- Yes, "older...
- I think it's lovely that there...
- Oak Park Officials, please go after...
- Brian, I didn't mean to imply...
- Term limits would be a good start...