Garden Gifting

This is the time of year when many of us who love leafy things start thinking about ordering holiday plants, flowers and greenery for our nears, dears, business contacts and clients.  The nurseries, catalogs and websites are full of ideas, but before you spend the money to give something green, it’s a good idea to … Read more

Saving Ginger

Last week I wore myself out getting all the tender potted plants into the house before the arctic weather set in.  I have spent the past week sweeping up dead leaves as many of those same plants went to pieces over the shock of moving from the bright outdoor light into the best-that-I-can-do light indoors.  … Read more

The Big Chilly

The rubber has hit the road in my garden.  This past week, the weather people all forecasted the first serious cold snap of the late fall season.  That meant that anything tender left outside was doomed.  I wasn’t planning on this development, but clearly I forgot to notify Mother Nature of my plans.  On the … Read more

Second Season

A generation or more ago, fall was a time when you would clean up the garden, put out a few mums, and plant the spring flowering bulbs.  In the midst of all that, there was ample time to lose yourself watching the little wrens flitting through the aster stalks in search of delectable seeds.  The … Read more

Fall Treasures

The fall bulb packages have arrived, nearly submerged under a high tide of holiday catalogs.  Since I have long since forgotten most of what I ordered at various times during the summer, the boxes are full of glorious surprises.  Unpacking them gives me a feeling akin to opening the boxes of Christmas ornaments in December.  … Read more