Houseplant Sprint

In summer, time typically moves slower, as motivation is diminished by hot weather and vacation activities. Then, the first of September happens, and suddenly the pace of life revs up to warp speed, as every activity in the world restarts. Meetings and commitments multiply, hours of daylight diminish, and gardeners are often caught in a … Read more

Start Those Bulbs

The gardening season at my house is ending as it began, with bright blue and white crocuses dotting the beds.  As in the spring, they are poking bravely through the garden rubble that I haven’t yet had time to clean up.  People who see them think that climate change has fooled the spring crocuses into … Read more

Roses of Shearing

If I wanted to, I could fill the entire yard with roses of Sharon.  So could most people, because roses of Sharon, or Hibiscus syriacus, are among the most prolific garden shrubs.  All you need to launch a rose of Sharon world domination campaign is one small specimen anywhere on or near your property.  If … Read more

October Surge

Clearly nobody has informed the catmint and columbines in my garden that the end of the growing season is fast approaching.  The columbines or acquilegia are excellent self-seeders and they have had a banner year.  I spent a morning moving young columbine seedlings to places where they will do some good and not get stepped … Read more