Seeds can plant memorable moments of joy for the home and the garden. A mere seed from a favored plant or an item one has dreams of growing can invoke happiness. Every January, in the middle of the nesting season, seeds are on the minds of many gardeners. After all, National Seed Swap Day celebrated … [Read more...]
Scent of Winter – A Sweetness In The Air
Scent during the cold months of winter are welcomed indoors and out. There are some fragrances that we anticipate and others we do not. Scents play such a role in our lives. As a gardener in the off season I seek out seasonal scents whenever I go outside. Now that the holidays are over, the … [Read more...]
Stillness in Winter – A Gift to The Gardener
When the air is crisp and the leaves are falling leaf removal is on our mind. Which is why autumn in winter is a gift for this gardener. The stillness of winter beckoned me to see what I could get done on a warm December day. I gathered the necessary tools to not work but linger in the garden … [Read more...]
Foliage Fun In Winter
Foliage bouquets on a winter day can be a lifesaver. The traditional bouquet is generally filled with blooming plants that are terrific eye candy. After the blooms have faded, the leftover foliage is no longer appreciated. This is true even in the garden. Most gardeners tend to plan and plant for … [Read more...]
Sharing Boxing Day Traditions at Christmas
Sharing on Christmas Day is usually a given. After carefully shopping for friends and family, sharing a meal and hunkering down is usually a common practice. This year I decided to do something a little different and uniquely share with my community. After making arrangements for my office using … [Read more...]
Book Review – Foraged Flower Arranging
Foraged Flower Arranging by Rebekah Clark Moody is a great book for those of us who just need to engage in nature. When we think of floral arranging, our thoughts instantly go to what's blooming now. Foraged Flower Arranging inspires the reader to go beyond the traditional bloom time and seek … [Read more...]
Heritage Harvest Festival – Community, History, Gardens
The Heritage Harvest Festival on the grounds of historic Monticello brought back many memories. Having lived in Virginia, while raising my daughters, an escape to the countryside always led to historic adventures. Trips to Charlottesville to visit Monticello was within reach, as well as … [Read more...]
Desperately Seeking Winter Color….
After an unexpected snow storm, I desperately needed to seek color in the winter garden. While my garden has touches here and there, when I want to see tried and true examples, I tend to seek out a public garden or two. Public gardens are a great resource for inspiration as examples of what can be … [Read more...]
The Presence of Winter Indoors-You Can Grow That
Winter has finally reared its frigid presence and is trying to spoil the wonderfully mild weather we have been experiencing. Not complaining, however, we should consider what we can do to bring winter indoors (without the chill in the air) ...especially after the holidays. You Can Grow and most … [Read more...]
Sumac, Sassafras and Sycamore…such seasonal delights!!!
I have had this little ditty on the tip of my tongue all weekend. Sumac, sassafras and sycamore.....it should be a song on Sesame Street or a tune for gardening on ITunes, however why did I choose these three as I embraced the trees just showing off their autumnal attire??? Each of these trees … [Read more...]