The Gardeners' Apprentice

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. … Read more

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 … Read more

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, … Read more

PURSLANE AND PORTULACA Plants and detective work go together. When my daughter worked near the Union Square Greenmarket in New York City, she was forever bringing home interesting tropical plants without tags. I dutifully identified them on the spot or, if I wasn’t sure about their names or origins, I did the appropriate research. Some … Read more

SUCCESS WITH LILIES I hate to brag, but I usually do very well with roses. With a few rare exceptions, which I chalk up to diseases already afflicting specific plants when they were purchased, my roses thrive. I contribute good soil, annual helpings of compost and mulch and excellent karma, but that is it. My … Read more