The musings and adventures of an enthusiastic grower
November is a month of reflection. It is a time to stop, take a breath, and think about one simple word: gratitude. The concept of gratitude is universal, regardless of geography, religion, race, or gender. We should all strive for it, and it’s something that I hope everyone can find. Because if we can find …
Ahh, dahlias. The queen of the garden herself. Coming in seemingly infinite colors, sizes, and forms, she is the star of the fall garden. In our northern (5b) growing zone, she can be a bit of a diva and becomes quite the labor of love to produce. I plant them out in late spring; they …
Here we are in November, already deep into the fall season. We gardeners and farmers in northern growing zones are seeing the finish line. It’s now a mad dash to prepare the beds for winter and tuck all our plants in for their long winter nap. Our to-do list isn’t getting shorter necessarily, but it …
Continue reading "What’s Growing on in the Garden: October 2023"
Compost, or garden gold as gardeners refer to it, has been used to achieve healthy garden soil for as long as gardeners have been gardening. Composting is a natural process of recycling organic matter, and the resulting product can enrich the soil and improve its chemical, physical, and biological properties. In simple terms, compost is …
Continue reading "Field Trip: UCRRA Industrial Compost Facility"
Well, I did it! I just received confirmation that I have officially been certified as a Pollinator Steward. Those of you who have been reading my blog for the past few years know how passionate I am about pollinators. I’m very excited to have completed the certification program to be an informed advocate for these …
Fall has officially arrived! How are you feeling about the seasonal change? Are you welcoming fall with open arms, or are you holding on to the last fleeting days of summer? I must admit that I love the fall season. The cooler temperatures, the sweet smell of fallen leaves, and the return of soup season …
Continue reading "What’s Growing on in the Garden: September 2023"
I’ve always been drawn to flowers. Their colors, textures, fragrances, and unique way that they beautify the landscape drew me in. And I love watching the interactions between blooms and bees; they share that delicate dance. It is a seemingly simple relationship that benefits them both and yet holds the planet and the life contained …
When I decided to turn my passion for growing into a business, I had a lot of decisions to make. Was I going to sell retail? Wholesale? To florists? Did I want to concentrate my sales on a farmstand? A CSA? On events and workshops? There were so many options that my head was spinning …
September snuck up on me! As it always seems to do. Summer tends to come and go in a flurry of activity as we try to fit as much in as we possibly can, both in the field and in our personal endeavors. My son will start school next week, and for me, back-to-school always …
Continue reading "What’s Growing on in the Garden: August 2023"
A few weeks ago, we found ourselves in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. My son had qualified for and was competing in the CubingUSA Nationals, a speedcubing event. What is speedcubing? Well, it’s a competitive sport involving solving various combination puzzles as quickly as possible. Think Rubik's cubes, and you’ll be on the right track. It’s a whole …
Continue reading "Field Trip: Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens"
THISTLE BE THE DAY 