The musings and adventures of an enthusiastic grower
If I was told that I could only grow one type of vegetable in my garden, I think I would have to choose beans. I'm not sure when my obsession with beans began, but I have been growing them annually in my vegetable garden for the past 13 years. I can't imagine ever leaving them …
The phrase "stop and smell the roses" is an admonition to slow down and take time to enjoy life and soak in the beauty around you. The expression came into use in the 1960s from a rephrasing of golfer and autobiographical writer Walter Hagen's words, "Don't hurry. Don't worry. And be sure to smell the flowers …
Continue reading "Stop and Smell the Roses, Peonies, Irises, Hydrangeas, Lilacs…"
Flowers or foliage? The importance of each has been debated persistently over the years by gardeners near and far. Some adamantly rally behind flowers, pointing out their benefit to pollinators and ultimate beauty. No plant dare set root in their gardens unless they are adorned with ornamental blooms, as flowers should always be the star …
The weather is getting cooler here in zone 5, and the leaves are starting to show signs of change. Like dazzling dancers dressed in red, orange, and yellow costumes, they prepare to put on their show. This will be their final act, a brilliant extravaganza of color before the curtain falls, and winter enters the …
Life is full of surprises: some good, some not so good. At times, these surprises can be earth-shattering, changing our entire lives, and others make much less of an impact. Yet, they all can shape the way we live or think about things. Learning to embrace these surprises instead of fearing them or dismissing them …
"It's dead; it's most definitely dead," I said. "How could it be dead? It was alive a few hours ago." my husband asked. "I don't know but look at it; it's brown and limp and most definitely dead," I responded. "Well, you don't have the best track record with potted plants," he said sheepishly. "Yes, …
We are well into harvest season, and it is at this time that many of us are up to our ears in produce as tomatoes, cucumbers, and squash abound. Late summer is typically a time for vegetable gardeners to step into overdrive, rapidly harvesting their crops and putting up their bounty for the colder days …
There is a lot of unrest in our country right now. The COVID-19 pandemic still has a firm grip on much of the United States, and at the same time, political and racial tensions are running high. At times, I find it challenging to have a positive outlook of the future when the world's troubles …
When I think of a meadow, I often imagine vast open grasslands sprinkled with wildflowers, just like I used to explore when I was a child. I always admired these beautiful areas and appreciated them for all that they offered local wildlife. Until recently, having a meadow on my property was a dream, as I …
If I had to choose a place that I love spending time just as much as being in the garden, it would probably be Catskill Animal Sanctuary (CAS). This 150-acre refuge in New York's Hudson Valley welcomed its first rescue in 2001 and has opened its barn doors to thousands of farm animals since. The …
THISTLE BE THE DAY 