Today is the last day of winter. The snow has melted, leaving only small patches here and there in the parts of the yard that spend their days in the shade. The witch hazel is a glorious yellow outside my window, its spidery flowers vibrant against the blue sky. Snowdrops and daffodils have emerged from … Continue reading Thoughts on the Eve of Spring
Spring
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!
Welcome to Spring – Kind Of, Sort Of
The snow may be reluctant to leave, but it won't be long now. This past weekend, spring arrived on March 1st—meteorological spring, that is. Never heard of it? I’m not surprised if you haven’t. I didn’t know meteorological spring was a thing until a couple of years ago.While the dates of our traditional four seasons … Continue reading Welcome to Spring – Kind Of, Sort Of
Let the Melting Commence
Temperatures have become decidedly milder over the past couple of days. The ice-covered snow that’s been with us for nearly two weeks has finally begun to retreat. While I know this isn’t the last snowfall we’ll see this season, it feels good to see all that white stuff melting. Usually when we get a storm—anything from … Continue reading Let the Melting Commence
Bewitched by Witch Hazel
Spring blooming witch hazel in the garden Maybe it’s because the flowers of my witch hazel (Hamamelis) tree are the first flowers I see in spring. Maybe it’s because witch hazel doesn’t care if there’s snow on the ground when it blooms. Maybe it’s because witch hazel has flowers that are different from any other … Continue reading Bewitched by Witch Hazel
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?
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
May Day
The first of May has finally come and the garden has awakened. Daffodils are in bloom everywhere in the yard, a succession of early, mid, and late season bloomers. Tulips in brilliant orange and yellow accompany them, along with the last of the early flowering hyacinth. The peach tree by the woods is covered in … Continue reading May Day
On Your Mark, Get Ready …
Memorial Day weekend is almost here, but not quite. There’s a frost warning for tonight, so I’ve moved my hanging baskets and other annuals into the garage for protection against the (hopefully) last freezing temperatures of the season. While perennials tend to weather a frost with no permanent damage, the last one put an end … Continue reading On Your Mark, Get Ready …
This Is Why We Wait
The general consensus around these parts is that planting in the garden is done after Memorial Day. It’s a “just in case” kind of thing most years, but in springtime in the Berkshires, you never know what weather Mother Nature is going to toss in the mix next.Case in point: this spring. We enjoyed an … Continue reading This Is Why We Wait
Pen, Paper, Plant 