The musings and adventures of an enthusiastic gardener
Recently, I had the pleasure of attending a peony workshop at Bear Creek Farm in Upstate New York. As many of my readers know, I am an avid peony fan. I have written about my peony obsession on several occasions, such as in my posts Confessions of a Hoarderculturist, A Peony for Your Thoughts, and …
The garlic scapes are finally here! So shout it from the rooftops and do your happy dance! It has been eight long months of waiting since I planted my garlic back in late October. I eagerly await this event each growing season, checking the garlic patch frequently, looking for the first signs that the scapes …
When I was a kid, I don’t remember liking vegetables very much. I fit the typical cliché of a kid that had to be coaxed into eating anything good for them by smothering it in cheese. There were a few vegetables I would eat on occasion, but lettuce was not one of them. If we …
I feel that I have made several progressions as a gardener over the years. When I first started gardening, I grew only a few ornamental perennials for their ease and reliability. Gaining confidence, I then progressed to edibles, and finally, I started dabbling in growing annuals. I’ve found that along the way I have grown …
I’ve been noticing the signs for a while now, but I couldn’t bring myself to admit the truth. It started innocently enough, an extra seed packet added to the shopping cart every once in a while, but it has escalated over the years. Now it might be getting out of control. My garden beds are …
Eager for another field trip, I recently visited the SUNY New Paltz campus in New Paltz, NY. The college campus, situated on over 209 acres, has a range of habitat types and is close to forests, farms, and wetlands in the Hudson Valley. The campus itself sits within the Saw Mill Brook Watershed. In 2018, …
Continue reading "Field Trip: A Certified Bee Campus at SUNY New Paltz"
My husband and I love doing projects. One of our favorite pastimes is to peruse salvage yards and antique markets for hidden treasures. We find great satisfaction in taking beat-up items and rejuvenating and repurposing them. The majority of our projects involve refurbishing furniture for our home, but we also enjoy working on projects for …
There are few flowers that I enjoy the fragrance of more than lilacs. Their heavenly scent floats on the breeze for a few fleeting weeks in spring, and I look forward to that time each year. It’s a time when I can bury my face among the lilac blooms and inhale deeply, reveling in the …
It’s hard to believe that it’s been over a year since our world turned upside down. That’s over 365 days and counting of living a life where the COVID pandemic is constantly on our minds and part of our daily routines. Masks, hand sanitizer, and social distancing, all things reserved for particular circumstances in the …
They are one of the first blooms to greet us in spring, waking up bright and cheery after their long winter slumber. Braving the fickle spring forecasts, they emerge undaunted, unfurling their petals to welcome in the new season. Bringing smiles to all who notice their bright presence out in a world that is awakening. …
