Second Season

Labor Day is long past, and we are officially in early fall, gardening’s “second season”. In most places, September and early October are a great time for outdoor work. Plants that go into the ground now have a good chance of establishing roots before cold weather sets in, giving them a head start on next … Read more

Beeblossom

I love to walk—in my neighborhood, my town and wherever I vacation. I never wear headphones or talk on my phone, because I like to save my senses for the small worlds that I encounter on my way. Good suburbanite that I am, I always take stock of the neighbors’ gardens. But I am also … Read more

Cannas

In the middle of the twentieth century, the Brazilian actress and singer Carmen Miranda was a hit with the public. Known for her large personality, great talent, and fruit-bedecked headwear, she was celebrated for her “exotic” beauty. She was a trailblazer for Hispanic performers in the United States. I think of Carmen Miranda when I … Read more

Choices, Choices

Fall is fast approaching, and it is time to order or purchase spring-flowering bulbs. The catalogs have been with us since the tulips were finishing this past spring, but I set them aside because I don’t like racing the season. This is also why I refuse to buy Halloween candy in August, even as it … Read more

Garden Spiders

As a nature lover, I am very fond of the nature series that British naturalist/broadcaster David Attenborough has produced and presented over the years. All of them highlight not only specific creatures and environments, but the interconnectedness of all living things. Not long ago, I was watching “Wild Isles,” about the wildlife of the British … Read more