The musings and adventures of an enthusiastic gardener
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 …
Fall is a busy time for gardeners, as with the threat of colder weather approaching, we must set about our tasks with a sense of urgency. Whether we like it or not, winter is on its way. A couple of hard frosts have caused me to step into high gear as they are reminders that …
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…"
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 …
They say that in the universe, there are cosmic connections. When a person will come into your life to help you develop and grow, creating a relationship, whether short or long term, that brings meaning to your life. I believe that plants can affect your life as well, and the links you create with them …
To my knowledge, I do not have a problem with vampires or werewolves, and yet, garlic is one of my absolute favorite plants to grow in the vegetable garden. Early European folklore had believers wearing garlic around their necks, hanging it in windows, and rubbing it on keyholes and chimneys to ward off evil. I …
Have you ever been scolded by a wren? I can honestly say that I have, on many occasions, and it is quite the experience. These little brown birds are rather feisty and quarrelsome for their size and can, under no uncertain terms, let you know when they don't approve of you. House Wrens Can Be …
Some may believe that gardeners and the wildlife inhabiting their yards cannot possibly peacefully coexist. I will concede that gardeners and wildlife can be at odds, especially when the critters that call our yards home decide to sample from our vegetable gardens or dig up our ornamentals. I have had many an epic standoff with …
Continue reading "Certifying Your Landscape as a Wildlife Habitat"
Growing up, I have fond memories of my mother's Lily-of-the-Valley. Whenever it was in bloom, she would pick a small bouquet for the house, and the kitchen filled with the flower's intoxicating scent. In my mind, those flowers and their fragrance will forever have a connection to my mother, and I will always think of …
