Last week I posted about bird-watching and the joys and endless entertainment that this hobby provides. I also discussed hanging bird feeders to provide a source of food for wild birds when natural seed sources are depleted. What I didn’t mention last week was that when you feed the wild birds, there is a certainty …
Birds of a Feather
Writer Paul Theroux once wrote, "Winter is a season of recovery and preparation," and as a gardener in the Northeastern part of the United States, I couldn't agree more. I have become dependent on the gardening lull that the winter months provide for rest, reflection, and preparation. These cold months offer me a respite from …
Plant Spotlight: The Iris
It may be mid-January, and the temperature outside may be below freezing, but I, for one, am dreaming of spring. Already tired of the seemingly endless greyscale environment that Northeastern winters bring, I long for the vibrant colors of warmer seasons. I often find myself staring at the beautiful purple cabbage in the grocery store …
2021 Gardening Goals
It’s good to have goals and aspirations. They give us something to look forward to, focus on, and work towards. And what better time to set goals than in the New Year? In a previous post, I shared my resolutions for 2021, but I realized that I have a different set of specific goals for …
Armchair Gardening
It’s twenty degrees outside, and I notice the freshly fallen snow covering the landscape as I gaze out my window. It is beautiful, covering every blade of grass and outlining each branch in brilliant white. When the sun finally peeks out from behind the clouds, the entire landscape dazzles, as if outfitted with millions of …
New Year, New You?
Well, 2020 is finally coming to a close, and what a year it was. I think I can safely say that most of us will be glad to see it behind us. Traditionally, when a new year begins, it ushers in the sense of renewal and hope. I think we all have hopes that 2021 …
It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year
It's supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year; however, I find it more challenging to get in the holiday spirit this year. This classic song by Andy Williams has brought joy and put a smile on my face in years past. The lyrics speak of kids jingle belling, caroling out in the …
In the Meadow We Can Build a Snowman
As I am writing this, tiny snowflakes are falling from the grey sky. They descend from the clouds above and land softly on the ground, creating a thin white blanket over the landscape, tucking the earth in for the long winter's nap ahead. Having grown up in Vermont and having lived in the Northeast my …
Reflections of a Budding Seed Saver
I was first introduced to the act of seed saving back in 2014 when I had the pleasure of attending a seed saving workshop at what was then Hudson Valley Seed Library (they have since changed their name to Hudson Valley Seed Company). It was a beautiful September day, and they were celebrating the opening …
Field Trip: Kingston YMCA Farm Project
In August of this year, I enjoyed visiting the Kingston YMCA Farm Project in Midtown Kingston, NY, for the first time. Despite having lived in the area for many years, I had never visited the Farm Project as honestly, I didn't even know it existed. The urban gardens at the Farm Project are a hidden …