What was the first edible plant I ever grew? A tomato! Surprise, surprise! I was in good company. Not only did I grow up dining on fresh-from-the-garden tomatoes grown by my father (along with cucumbers and peppers), but my mother canned and froze some of those tomatoes for winter use and made pickles from the … Continue reading The First Edible Plant I Ever Grew
plants
My Favorite Garden Photos
Well, this is a fun one. The theme for Day 5 of May’s Garden Bloggers Challenge is “my favorite garden or flower photos.” Most of my old garden photos reside on out-of-date laptops or back-up storage, but I do have some I’d like to share. My favorite garden flower is the purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea). … Continue reading My Favorite Garden Photos
Rain, Sunshine, Weed, Repeat
The moss phlox (Phlox subulata) doesn't mind the weeds. I should have spent Tuesday’s sunny afternoon in the garden weeding, but I decided to treat myself first. I went plant shopping, the first time this season. Call it inspiration for the sweaty work ahead. Yes, delay makes the weeds grow taller and stronger, but I needed … Continue reading Rain, Sunshine, Weed, Repeat
Spring is in the Air
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
Daffodils
White daffodils with a sunny yellow center. Today is the last day of April and there is plenty in bloom in the garden. Blue vinca flowers form a lovely backdrop to plants that are in the process of leafing out like the rugosa roses. The creeping phlox I was so concerned about just two weeks … Continue reading Daffodils
Ode to a Cold
Daffodils. For the past week the weather has been good for gardening. Unfortunately, I’ve spent most of those days indoors, grumbling at my ill fortune to have crossed paths with the common cold. Within 48 hours of attending and mingling at a historical society program at our local library, I could feel stuffiness, achy muscles, … Continue reading Ode to a Cold
AS THE GARDEN AWAKES
Bleeding heart awakes from its three-season dormancy. As I begin writing this on Tuesday afternoon, I can hear the rain tapping on the sunroom roof. The skies have turned gray, leaving no remnant of this morning’s blue. Outside my window, the witch hazel’s petals have fallen with only a few stubborn bits of yellow remaining, … Continue reading AS THE GARDEN AWAKES
It Begins With Seeds
After days of rain, overcast skies, a bit of snow (yes, snow), and temperatures that served as a chilly reminder that we’re still early in the season, the sun came out today. While the temperature didn’t improve much, just seeing the sun was a boon to my spirits, and it put me in the mood … Continue reading It Begins With Seeds
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
Pen, Paper, Plant 