I count the passing of the seasons by what’s happening in my garden. I know spring is near when the witch hazel blooms. Then the snow recedes, and the snowdrops appear. Daffodils and other spring flowering bulbs follow. When the early flowers bloom, the air takes on their fragrance, but none are as fragrant as … Continue reading Spring is in the Air
garden
Winter Wishes and Persephone’s Dreams
A package arrived on my doorstep today, a big one. About six feet tall, but less than 12 inches wide, the box contained winter wishes come to life: alive, but dormant fruit trees. A couple of months ago, I ordered two apple trees, 2 elderberries, and one mulberry. Last week, I received notice that my … Continue reading Winter Wishes and Persephone’s Dreams
A Time of Beginnings
The only green in the woods is on the moss-covered stones or the occasional pine tree. Welcome to spring! We’re just seven days into the season and the daily changes in the garden are well under way. We’ve had a rollercoaster ride weather-wise this past week: warm days riding around with the car’s windows down, … Continue reading A Time of Beginnings
Look! It’s a Tiny Tree!
Meet Matilda. She’s a dwarf jade plant (Portulacaria afra)—also known as elephant bush—and my first effort at bonsai. I’ve admired bonsai for years, but never attempted it. Oh, years ago I impulse-purchased a bonsai tree at a big box store. I can’t say whether it was my own inexperience or mishandling of the plant by … Continue reading Look! It’s a Tiny Tree!
An Alternate View of Snow
This weekend Mother Nature gifted us with snow. Not just a dusting or a few flurries, a storm that started in the afternoon and continued on through the night blanketing everything in about eight inches of white. Happily for me (though I hesitate to use that word where winter weather of any kind is concerned), … Continue reading An Alternate View of Snow
Pretty Pictures
I love photographing my garden, but I’m also a procrastinator. When I replaced my old, sickly laptop, I transferred files I was currently working on but put off dealing with thousands of photos and files that needed to be culled and transferred. I paid the price for putting off that task today when I was … Continue reading Pretty Pictures
My Winter Garden
Winter is always a challenge for me: the shorter daylight hours, the cold (often frigid) temperatures, blizzards, mountains of snow to be shoveled, wind, freezing rain, and ice. I often joked that if I could, I’d hibernate in a cave for the winter—or maybe just snuggle on the sofa at home with a good book … Continue reading My Winter Garden
Got Mulch?
Today I’m sharing a few words about one of my favorite garden helpers: mulch. You’ve planted your garden, watered the plants well, and stood back and admired your hard work. But is something missing? It is if you haven’t added a layer of mulch on top of the soil.You’ve seen it in bags at the … Continue reading Got Mulch?
Timing Is Everything
Did you ever notice how timing is one thing to always consider in the garden and in life? When you plant out those seedlings in the spring. When the rain comes (or doesn’t). When the last—sometimes very late—frost hits. The surprise of record high or low temperatures. And through it all Murphy’s Law plays its … Continue reading Timing Is Everything
Sunshine and Raindrops
After days of absolutely beautiful springtime weather, the forecast is for rain, possible thunderstorms, and “marginal risk of severe weather today.” True, the day did start out cloudy and gray, but outside the sun is now shining and the sky is blue with fluffy white clouds. Welcome to the Berkshires where guessing the season can … Continue reading Sunshine and Raindrops
Pen, Paper, Plant 