I have a confession. While I call myself a gardener with all the confidence of one who has nurtured, tended and grown healthy flowers, trees and shrubs for more than two decades, it was not until this month that I … Read Article
A love of gardening and a love of keeping chickens seems to go hand in hand these days. Why is this, given chickens’ predilection for scratching up freshly-tilled seed beds and noshing on tasty young seedlings? It would seem a … Read Article
We love garden quotes. Garden quotes inspire us even as they serve as the ultimate short-story on gardening. Read Article
So far this year my daughter and I have sowed seeds (indoors) of Johnny jump ups (Viola ‘Helen Mount’), black-eyed Susan vine (Thunbergia alata ‘Spanish Eyes Mix’; shown), French marigolds (Tagetes patula ‘Sparky Mix’) and nasturtiums (Tropaeolum nanum ‘Jewel Mix’).
The USDA released an updated version of the Hardiness Zone Map, with adjusted zones and more helpful online features. Read Article
All around town, including my street, outdoor Christmas decorations and lights have appeared, many on the day after Thanksgiving. Personally I feel it’s a bit early, but at the same time I’ll admit feeling some pressure to do something festive … Read Article
Last weekend we celebrated my daughter’s second birthday. She has grown and developed so much. I cannot say the same for my four-year-old living stones (Lithops spp.), which I started from seed!
Overall it has been a warm fall where I live, in New England. A couple weekends ago, it was in the 80s, and overall the temperatures have been in the 70s. It’s finally starting to cool down around here, with … Read Article
This past spring several growers sent me free samples of their 2012 introductions to try out in my garden. Many wholesale growers send their newest plants to garden writers, bloggers and editors for feedback and in hopes of spreading the … Read Article
Describing color—I have determined it is the most difficult aspect of writing about plants. One color in particular drives me nuts, because not only is it much sought-after by gardeners, it is also a real trickster. I’m talking about blue. Read Article
I received a free box of annuals from Ball Hort a few weeks ago. (Every year, Ball and other growers send samples of their newest varieties to garden writers and editors for feedback and possible publicity.) I decided to mix … Read Article