The musings and adventures of an enthusiastic gardener
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. …
Ever since the evolution of language, humans have been designating names to the objects in their environment. Whether through symbols or spoken language, names evolved as a means of communication. Humans have gotten very good at the name game. We name our children, our pets, and objects in our environment; some even name their cars …
The signs are all there, the call of the red-winged blackbird, the emergence of the crocus, the first American robin sighting, all telling me that it is official. The days are getting longer and warmer, and the maple trees are in bloom. Yes, finally, spring has sprung. As I stroll through the landscape, noticing all …
We all have one; I have several. Lists of places we want to visit and things we'd like to see or accomplish in our lifetime. Along with my regular bucket list, I also have several botanical bucket lists that include plant species I'd love to see in person and cultivars I wish to grow someday. …
The calendar tells me that the first official day of spring arrives tomorrow. Shout it from the rooftops, do your happy dance, and gather your gardening gear! After a long winter, I, like most gardeners, am chomping at the bit to get back into the garden. I want to plant seeds, smell flowers, dig in …
Did I hear? Yes, there it is! The glorious song of the red-winged blackbird! They have arrived back at their nesting grounds as the marshes start to thaw. To me, it is a sign that spring is right around the corner. When the sunshine begins to feel a little warmer on my skin, the birds …
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