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Earth Day – Invest in the Future

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Earth Day 2023 encourages us to Invest in Our Earth. If you have a pot, a plot or want to do something for the greater good in your community, investing in our earth is important. The investment of time by each of us can make a difference for the future. If you visit the official earthday website , it is filled with information on activities, programs and campaigns anyone can partake of.

Information on practical ways to reduce, recycle, and reuse our household waste is readily available. There are practices in place to reduce what is actually disposed of in our landfills. It is one of the easiest ways we can curb seeing the plastic bags along our highways, waterways, and more.

Increasing tree plantings within our communities will lower energy costs, provide shade, and decrease heat build-up. Planting native trees and plants can help us reduce excessive watering in our landscapes. Consider this – if we reduced the turf in our open spaces, it would reduce the use of fertilizers and pesticides in our waterways. There is an advantage in reducing these two actions as we try to save our earth. Many municipalities are adopting this and other practices to save our earth. These are just a few easy actions to consider and are easy to implement.

REUSE, RECYCLE, REDUCE – SAY NO TO PLASTIC

Many gardeners are starting seedlings this year. Consider alternatives to using plastic pots for transplanting seedlings. Retrain your mind to consider reusing those yogurt, cottage cheese, or other small containers to size up the “pots” for transplanting. This is a great way to extend the usefulness of these containers. If properly cleaned and stored, they will provide a few years of use. If you are an avid gardener, try to refrain from using peat pots. Peat bogs are under environmental stress. This natural resource has become threatened and is considered endangered. Land development, climatic changes, and horticultural use are rapidly diminishing peat bogs globally. There are many alternatives for temporary pots including newspaper.

I recently found a biodegradable woven fiber pot which makes me feel better about not using plastic. These are a great alternative to using plastic pots.

These pots allow the air to flow through and deter sensitive plant roots from becoming tangled. These biodegradable pots allow water and air to flow through easily. This will result in healthier roots. The pot sleeve will break down as the plant grows in a pot or in the ground. I love being mindful in my actions as an earth-friendly resident on our earth. These biodegradable paper pots are easy to use for seed starting. If you are concerned about planting in your soil, or damaging your favorite pot, these pots are great for inserting into an existing pot without disturbing the roots.

Planting peanuts or potatoes and need something a little larger? Consider reusing a woven fiber grocery bag. Check your pantry for some that have seen better days. Use these for planting this season and discard after harvesting.

Outdoor temperatures hint that it is warm enough for planting. Try not to be in a rush to plant. Reputable garden centers often will advise consumers to wait until Mid-May before planting tender crops such as Basil. Planting in pots is fine, just watch for nighttime temperatures. A few years ago, we did have a hard frost in late May. That year, gardeners who planted early did not expect the extreme temperatures. Mid- to late May is the best time to consider planting summer annuals in the ground. For optimal results, nighttime temperatures should be consistently 50 degrees. Pay attention to nighttime temperatures. If you are planting in a raised bed or pot, you can plant now. Always keep an eye on the night time temperatures to avoid disappointment.

HERBS ARE EASY

Almost everyone uses herbs. One of the easiest things to grow and use are herbs. Many beginning or a seasoned gardeners find something special about gathering fresh herbs from a pot or plot in the garden. Basil is one of those easy to grow herbs. Use this herb in salads and even in drinks. Try making a pitcher of iced tea or even lemonade with a few basil leaves thrown in. Pinch them from the plant, tear, bruise, or muddle them to release more of the flavor. Try Basil leaves for hot tea in the winter time with a few mint leaves. Try a tall a glass of iced cucumber water with fresh basil leaves on a hot day. It is quite refreshing anytime!

Here are a few that I recommend – Mrs. Burns Lemon Basil, Spicy Globe Basil, or Sweet Basil to name a few. Adding diced basil leaves to a pasta salad or consider using large leaf basil as an alternative to bread for sandwich wraps. Use your imagination and if all else fails, try basil in a Bloody Mary, a cocktail or mocktail.

 POLLINATOR PLANTS ARE A PLUS

As a gardener, I believe in the teachings of Dr. Doug Tallamy. We ARE Natures Best Hope. Dr. Tallamy encourages each of us to start where we can to create conservation corridors, pollinator pathways, as a way of creating wildlife habitats. His book is a must read if we are to ensure a healthy environment now and in the future.

If we create safe havens for our pollinators they will appreciate it. You do not need a lot of space. Create a native area in your pot or plot. Create groups of native plant material with similar growing conditions to bring nature in. At the end of the growing season consider this – LET IT BE! Planting for our pollinators has benefits beyond the bloom. Leaving finished blooms, disease free branches and even a bit of bare or un-mulched ground is a good thing. Each of these practices provides over wintering pollinators a safe haven.

Consider alternatives to pesticide use.  Practice Integrated Pest Management (IPM). Your local Extension Office or clicking here, are great resources for information on pesticide use and abuse.

A well known plant used in pollinator gardens is Asclepias. The cultivars syriaca or tuberosa are beneficial to the Monarch butterfly. The common name for this plant is Butterfly weed. Keep in mind that this plant, like many natives, are perennial and increase in size yearly. The Pollinator Partnership website offers planting plans which are easy to use. Sharing excess plants with your neighbors is the easiest way to create a pollinator pathway in your community. Here are a few resources to find out more:

http://www.bringbackthepollinators.org/

POLLINATOR-GARDEN-TOOLKIT-2020.pdf (earthday.org)

Investing in our earth is something each of us can do. As we celebrate Earth Day 2023, consider utilizing sustainable practices in your yard or community. Investing now is a best practice for the future of this earth.

Celebrating the earth each and every day!

Teri, Cottage in the Court

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Black Flora – An Enlightening Gift

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Black Flora is not just a book. It was written with intention and from my heart with love.

A few years ago, Debra Prinzing, Slow Flowers Society, approached me with an idea to consider. The African American voice was nonexistent in the world of floristry. Not that we were not making a difference in this space, it was simply not acknowledged. There are many books about farming as African Americans which currently dominate the book world. None of these books focused on the importance of the flower farmer or floral designer. A book, Black Flora, was born out of this conversation. I am grateful for the opportunity, and I truly consider it a gift to anyone who might read it.

This book gently captures the story of how flowers heal, create opportunities, and simply bring joy in unusual ways for each person profiled in Black Flora. With each interview, the uniqueness of each person stirred my soul. There is a familiar thread found in each journey. As my friend, Abra Lee constantly reminds the world as she speaks on the significance of African Americans in horticulture, “We are not new to this.”

In several conversations, those featured in Black Flora discussed how growing and creating beauty from flowers is a part of our genetic remembrance. It reminds us of ancestral lands or reimagining blooms we could not afford. The road to the many ways the flowers found us was not always hard. African Americans who chose to delve deeper into the world of floriculture is a story not often shared.

As an author, I realized that this book would be meaningful to anyone who might not know what their life journey would look like. If college were not a consideration, could creating beauty from nature be an option? Would it pay? Was there a way to shadow someone, would their unique perspective be appreciated? Most importantly, would they be given an opportunity to shine in their uniqueness? The subjects and their respective profiles share experiences that give the reader a glimpse into their world.

As the book became available, I was ecstatic. Capturing the journey of twenty-five African American individuals (and one young family) was relevant. These stories were long overdue. This was an opportunity to read their stories and be inspired. My vision was that someone could go to the library, or see it on a coffee table, and be empowered by reading the stories found in Black Flora. I compared it to sowing seeds of inspiration to those who might not imagine an alternative way of making a living.

PAYING IT FORWARD

This special gift includes the colors of the Monarch. Did you know that some cultures feel the spirits of loved ones live through nature and our environment – or even in the garden?

One day I received a beautiful item in the mail. Each time I looked at this piece of garden art, a certain energy was felt. I felt the importance of sharing the stories of these ambitious African American flower farmers, floral designers, and florists. As I embraced the beauty and symbolism of this piece, there was a strong desire to make certain this important narrative was shared. As in many industries, we are important and deserve to be acknowledged – even in the world of floriculture. We can be successful, as we embrace the beauty that our ancestors might not have had the opportunity to enjoy on a different day, at a different time.

A note accompanying this gift encouraged me to pay it forward. Paying it forward was reinforced to me as a child. My sharecropping ancestors paid it forward as they shared their harvests with those less fortunate. From the Hydrangea and Iris found on family land, they found a way to incorporate beauty into their garden. Photos of sky-high Mammoth sunflowers grown by my Great Aunt in the heart of Washington, DC, continue to amaze me. The sunflowers were something that brought joy to my relatives and their neighbors. These blooms were shared with anyone who asked.

How could I pay it forward in a meaningful way?

This was on my mind at every speaking opportunity, and media mention. I began to hear the book had become hard to find. In some areas, the book had sold out. This was quite a surprise. The importance found in each story was evident. It was appealing to the public. I had felt compelled to pay it forward.

Reaching out to share this book with those who might not have it within reach, is the purpose of this giveaway.

THE GIVEAWAY

So, I am reaching out to young people, youth groups, mid-lifers, teachers, and librarians who might benefit from acquiring this book. This week, I will host a book giveaway. One person will receive a signed copy of Black Flora. There is a little work involved.

  1. Like and comment on this blog post.
  2. Write a 64-word or less paragraph sharing why you want this book. The most impactful short paragraph will be considered. All entries must be received by midnight, January 20th. One entry per person – to be fair. The winner will be announced on February 1, 2023. I will mail the winner a signed copy of Black Flora.

(Stay tuned, I am hearing Black Flora will be reprinted as an eBook in the Spring.)

I cannot express OUR gratitude to each person who purchased Black Flora and multiple copies of the book (shout out to the Texas ladies who attended Pam Pennick’s Garden Spark!) Thank you for recognizing the importance of the book, the portraits, and our story.

Like a perennial in the garden, this story is not over. The seeds will resprout in my voice, as well as in the voices of others as we share the beauty of being enamored with flowers and creating.

My ancestors speak to me in the most unique ways. As a seedling of a lengthy line of school builders, and educators, from slavery forward, I understand the importance of our story. I also accept the assignment that our story continues to be shared.

This giveaway is my way of giving back and sowing good seeds along the way.

Teri, Cottage in the Court

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Flower Petals – Cards of Positivity and Perspective

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Flower petals share their wisdom, if we take time to embrace their beauty.

Flower petals have been popping out in my world all year. Taking the time to enjoy them has been quite the task. I had to intentionally practice self-care at each and every opportunity.

I sought books to read for inner peace, curtailed my social media, and simply rested. Recovery after two years of unintentional pausing, writing books, and working fulltime was not an easy task. Realizing I needed to update The Cottage also became a reality. Working remotely allowed me to see every crack and wrinkle in my home. Upgrades were scheduled which would not allow me to embrace my back yard gardens. I had every intention of creating a micro-cut flower farm. Instead, the contractors waned me to remove plantings along the foundation. The thought of change in my garden was unsettling. In some ways more than the period of unintentional pausing. The search for inner peace as I accepted change was challenging.

As I looked out my window daily, mourning my garden was simply heartbreaking. Flower petals from the Camellias lay like confetti as the winter of 2022 ended. I eagerly awaited the Hellebore flowers on the side of my house. I knew I would have to move them for fear they would be in the way. The Hellebores are remnants of my father’s garden.

Knowing the brevity of Spring, everyday I checked for signs of flowers in my garden. From the early blooming crocus, phlox, to the daffodils, I patiently waited for the sequence of early Spring joy. Each flower petal meant more to me this year than ever before.

As many gardeners know, renovating the garden when you least expect it is a daunting task. The realization that change was destined to take place was difficult. Adulting is hard in many ways. Procrastinating made it difficult to endure, so I began to dig. I potted up all that I could as the flowers from the azaleas littered the ground to remind me that Spring was coming to an end.

Flower petals scattered from the Oso Easy roses allowed me to smile through my tears. Mourning change at The Cottage, the new windows did allow me to see the garden a tad clearer. Next up – the siding.

Older Cottage life is interesting. The Cottage is as seasoned as I am. Sometimes the floors creak, other times another sign of settling appears, yet life goes on. The siding was definitely showing it’s age. It became evident a simple paint job wasn’t going to cut it. I would have preferred to buy more flowers and plants – that was not in the cards for 2022.

To soothe my angst, I found Flower Petals: Blossoming guidance from the garden by Cheralyn Darcey on Etsy. These cards are the perfect small gift . The flower petals of thought are important even today. This period of unintentional change continues as the year draws to a close. The first card I flipped over was a picture of Violet sororia. The words were exactly what I needed to read:

The answers and truths are always within.

I chose to embrace these words and let my disappointment and angst go. Releasing is real and many times we can miss the gift, by holding onto what we cannot change. Since receiving these cards, I make time to pull a new one from the deck, just to keep me in a positive frame of mind.

Today’s card is a Tulip. The words read…

You are worth what it is you desire.

The box suggests using multiple cards sometimes or using them while enjoying aromatherapy. They are great for enhancing positive thoughts, which leads to a sense of well being.

It is October and the renovation is still in full swing. The garden is in a state of unintentional pausing. It is nesting season – yet again. I have this quiet time to look within and define exactly how I want my garden. I can prepare the soil with earthly goodness from local compost. Exploring what is new in the plant world and taking note of what might be Cottage worthy will make me smile. Watching the birds from my new office window, draped with a blanket over my feet, and Precious by my side is worth looking forward to.

As the world continues to move too fast, my daily practice will be simple. I will flip a card from Flower Petals: Blossoming guidance from the garden, as an act of self-care.

Does your garden provide optimism in less than perfect moments? What tools have you discovered during this period of uncertainty, that help re-center your spirit? Change – even when difficult – can be a good thing . It all depends on your perspective.

Flower petals as a part of the garden in our minds provide lingering thoughts of what has been. These flower petals helped me embrace change.

Sitting with Precious and watching the mailbox for catalogs. I wonder what tomorrow’s card will be.

Teri, Cottage in the Court

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Gardening In Community – A Greener World

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Gardening has increased in recent years. As we embrace our earth, there are many different perspectives to consider. The Healthy Garden – Simple Steps For A Greener World is a book that many have been waiting for.

Gardening within a community is a common practice nowadays. Community gardening has become quite a loaded phrase. It can mean collaborating with others who garden or physically gardening in the community. Gathering to learn more about gardening is a way to connect with other gardeners.

The Healthy Garden: Simple Steps for a Greener World has touched upon these and other ways to garden in the community. A greener world is something many people, gardeners or non-gardeners desire. Mary-Kate Mackey and Kathleen Norris Brenzel provide diverse perspectives on how we can achieve this goal. As I read this wonderful book, the conversations presented truly gave me hope.

Design, selecting plants, and the wellness benefits of gardening, are discussed in the first few chapters. Offering tips from some well-known horticultural voices, this book gently breaks down the definition of a healthy garden. Embrace your place, frame a view, forever and for now – each of these topics are defined, giving gardeners permission to garden uniquely.

Answering the question of why grow your own food is answered in this book. Knowing where your food is sourced is important. Growing what you consume is a great way to stay engaged with a vegetable plot or pot. It is a fantastic way to explore other cultures and growing methods. Making a small investment for a pack of seeds can provide unimaginable amounts of produce to share. Having a good mix of vegetables, herbs, and flowers to provide for our pollinators is key. From foodscaping to what size pots you will need – this book is quite the resource.

Exercise is all a part of gardening. Stretching underused muscles and constant motion all help keep our bodies in shape. Mental clarity is a bonus benefit. Imagine spending an afternoon gazing at a butterfly or hummingbird. The joy of pausing to discover the simple serenity of the garden is almost like medicine. Making time to pause in the garden is the perfect way to find balance in life. A garden is a useful tool for healing.

This book gives the reader permission to engage with the earth, as they see fit. Permission to enjoy what you have or to borrow from examples in other gardens. Who wouldn’t want to feel good about changing a landscape as you see fit? Utilizing the plant ladder concept in your garden offers a heightened awareness of the beauty found in layers. No matter where you are planting, multi-level plantings encourage the eye to look up and down. The higher plants become the focal point as they utilize groundcovers to create a living much.

Let’s talk about critical, touchy viewpoints – growing native plants. From the benefits to the drawbacks, growing with an emphasis on diversity is key to a greener, healthy garden.  No matter what part of the country, no matter what your climate is (this year), this book has digestible information. These authors interviewed over sixty horticulturists. The information shared provides a buffet of perspectives and immeasurable knowledge.

Every seasoned gardener knows that creating spaces and laces to pause is an essential part of enjoying the garden. A single chair placed near a specific plant is an act of gardening with intention. It allows the gardener to pause and rest. It is a perfect example of how pausing is as essential as weeding. Actually, pausing to appreciate the art of gardening allows us to connect with nature in our familiar greenspaces. Taking time to enjoy and not just work in our green spaces, enables us to enjoy calm, serenity, and peace.

Community gardens are great places to find like-minded neighbors. Green spaces where neighbors can gather provide opportunities to hone great gardening skills. By participating in community gardens, there is magic in what is shared. The obvious successes as produce is shared and enjoyed by all, take precedence over the failures. The conversations enjoyed in these spaces often lead to lifelong relationships as they build strong communities.

In my local community garden, we are growing together. We gather for plot-to-plate events where we share the items we grow. Gathering in community gardens provides fertile ground for sharing recipes or offering up canning advice. Gardening in the community is a way to experiment with unfamiliar foods and flowers. Listening to the elders, experimenting with the youth, and staying abreast of the latest trends, keeps the conversations exciting and engaging – no matter the perspective or experience.

This book is a gift for all types of gardeners. The words ring true as each segment of this book offers digestible bites of perspectives on a healthy garden and greener world. As the heat of the summer sun suggests we linger longer in the shade, this is a perfect book to have on hand.

Did I mention, that you just might find someone you know on page 178? There are a few books that single out one topic. By looking at the topics that matter to most gardeners, these ladies offer a fresh perspective. I am glad these authors knew this book was necessary. Gardeners young and old want useful information. Finding the words to create a plan of action for gardeners everywhere is right on time.

I am working on unique ways to use what I grow in my community garden and sharing it with my plot partners. If you want a book filled with useful ideas, consider adding this book to your library.

Teri, Cottage in the Court

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Memories and Magic at Cottage in the Court

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Memories of pink and blue hydrangeas found in Grandma’s living room were expected each year. However never a pink peony. This year a pink peony provides memories of Grandma.

Memories of my Grandma with a song on her heart have been with me all week. There are memories everywhere in my garden. Each spring, as the earth gives way to plants coming to life, I think back to my childhood. This is the week that I would rather have been outside in the garden. Lying motionless, head to the ground, quietly waiting for a worm to cross my path. Pursing my lips, gently attempting to blow it over, the worms became quite started. Wriggling quickly for cover, this game would have gone on for hours. Instead, Mom would call me indoors to rehearse my lines for the Easter program at Church.

We could walk to Grandma’s house on Capitol Hill after Church. With the smaller yards along the way, enjoying the diversity found in each garden was exciting. I wanted to linger at each and every yard we passed. My Grandpa insisted I keep up, so I did. However, the memories of the colors and textures lingered on my mind. Grandpa knew my parents would be waiting at the house. My parents were very protective of us and we were barely out of their reach.   

Easter Sunday there was usually a colorful Hydrangea in the windowsill at the house on 7th Street where they lived. Memories of the purples, pinks, and muted tones of these small shrubs, added a bright spot to the dimly lit living room. It was something I looked forward to every year. I often wondered what she did with them afterwards. Now I will never know.

This week, I marveled at my garden. As I walked past the Camellia’s with their bright red blooms, I heard a familiar voice. She sang in the church choir and rehearsing prior to an event was important. The song, “He Lives”, an old spiritual was a part of every Easter Sunday Service. I imagined Grandma was walking beside me, as I created my daily memory of the garden in the morning. As we strolled, arms locked together, her voice was quite clear and very real.

Memories of Daddy’s white special occasion suit brought a smile to my lips when I saw this peony in my garden.

At a moment when I had no time to spare, the magic found in my garden stopped me in my tracks. On another evening this week, I was caught off guard by a flash of color. My Dad had a white suit that he traditionally wore on Easter Sunday when he had to preach. The fabric was textured, not pin-cord or seersucker, but almost ridge-like. The ruffled, ridged petals of a peony made me freeze.

It was at that moment I heard the booming but mellow voice of my Dad, breaking into song, his song. “Blessed Assurance” was a song that Dad sang or hummed when he was feeling downright blessed. This white, bigger than life, crinkled petal peony – which should not be blooming right now – came to life before my eyes. It was as if the deeply colored center was a microphone and Dad’s voice filled the air around me. I was emotionally full. Grandma never saw my garden. Dad had the pleasure of seeing it and walking through it quite a few times….even now, in spirit. The memories, beautiful memories fill my soul.

I believe in my ancestral connections. The memories my Dad shared with me about North Carolina and gardening with his grandparents are etched in my mind. In my heart, I believe my ancestors are lifting me up and providing strength as I continue my garden writing journey. The awareness I have of their presence is so real.  

As new plants begin to unfurl, I am certain that more memories of my ancestors will offer more unexpected garden magic throughout the year.

Do you have memories of your ancestors when in the garden? There is magic in every garden…but you must be present to feel it, accept it, and allow it to bring you joy.

I am going to be sitting here waiting for the next memorable moment of magic with my kinfolk in my garden.

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