July 31st, 2010
BLACK KRIM In fashion everything old eventually becomes new again. This is why women have been wearing platform shoes on and off for centuries. Fashions and fads come and go in the world of horticulture too, and with the rise of electronic communications, the fashion cycle has speeded up. Right now, vegetable gardening is hot and heirloom varieties are hotter than hot. I have to grow hot plants to remain a cool horticulturist, so last year ... (click here to read the full article)
July 31st, 2010
THINGS LEFT UNDONE If I had my druthers, I would work in the garden for many hours every day. I would do it at least three seasons a year. When not working in the garden, I would spend another large chunk of time writing about gardening—ideally for a large and appreciative audience of like-minded individuals. But life gets in the way. Like everyone I make commitments, acquire stuff that needs care and have to handle the mundane ... (click here to read the full article)
July 26th, 2010
TINY PETUNIAS Petunias are ubiquitous, but not in my garden. For some reason, I have never warmed up to them, even though I seem to be in a distinct minority among gardeners. Maybe my antipathy stems from the fact that the delicate blooms ball up and turn brown when it rains. Maybe it’s because petunias require regular feeding and pinching to look their best. Whatever the reason, I find it very easy to pass them by ... (click here to read the full article)
July 19th, 2010
IRRIGATION The recent dry, extreme heat spell left my garden looking like a corral of crispy critters. The normally boisterous hostas have grown pale, their leaf edges tinged with sepia. Daylilies that bloomed last week now sport foliage that is already brown. The roses are sulking and even the Japanese beetles seem torpid. In short, despite some recent rain, it is a mess out there. The mess was not caused by lack of attention. Though ... (click here to read the full article)
