Blogs

Mindful gardening requires one to consider not just a physical act, but a mental exercise. To approach mindfulness in any situation, one must consider the intention or purpose of why. The intention of disturbing soil to create an area with what we might consider beautiful is usually done with a specific purpose in mind. This mindful intention can help us create the garden of our dreams. Present Over Perfect by Shauna Niequist was just the book I

The first snow of 2018 in the DMV… Snow…in early November has signaled seasonal changes all around me. As I drove into work and crossed the DC line the flurries thickened. The snowflakes became swollen with moisture and gently slid down the glass of Ms. Red. I could hear the pellets of sleet tap dancing in the silence of the morning. Traffic was light and I seized the opportunity to roll down the windows and listen…focusing on listening to

The Oakleaf Hydrangea offers the gardener hope whether we get bloom or simple autumnal leaf color. Hope. These days it is always on my mind. The anticipation of positive outcomes has kept me silent for most of the year, as I hoped for the best. Hope for things like making sure my parents house sold. Making sure I found help in resurrecting my garden – Thank you Freddy. Finding and keeping a good home improvement

Tony Dove, Local Horticulturlist has written a guide that makes sustainable gardening educational and fun!“Sustainable Landscaping with Tony Dove” should have been the title of a book I recently read. The Guide to Creating a Sustainable Landscape Essential Native Trees and Shrubs for the Eastern United States by Tony Dove and Ginger Woolridge is a necessity for the bookshelf. Interested in selecting and growing the right tree or shrub for the Eastern Unites States? This book

Leaves have a hidden meaning. It requires us to pause and receive the messaging. Leaves speak to us in a quiet manner. Coming in many different shapes and sizes, leaves are one of nature’s gifts to the garden. Observing leaves can enlighten us on ways to reflect upon our life’s journey.  In one of my horticultural communities, Plantrama.com, C.L. Fornari and Ellen Zachos are sharing the leaf stack challenge.  Gathering leaves of interest and stacking