Musings on horticultural therapy and the soothing effects of plants and nature
Working with Rosana on the illustrations for my book has been a real pleasure. Many of the plates she has created represent an amalgam of the stories crafted for each month. Occasionally, however, being at the right place at the right time serves up the perfect idea. Can you figure out the inspiration for the […]
A sure sign that Spring is on its way is the appearance of deer nearby. We rarely see many against the snowy ridge that defines our back yard. Typically the herds stay further down the hill toward the Titicus River or the Great Swamp. But this morning two female deer, both looking somewhat with fawn, […]
Juana was cleaning out the closet the other day and found two of the many bibs she made for Charlotte years ago. The first, with vegetables and fruit, and the second, with farm animals, had been stored with the hope that someday another grandchild would be able to wear them. And that day is now […]
Every other week, I set up a horticultural production line to ready materials for my clients at Ann’s Place @annsplaceinc. This week’s chore is particularity taxing as I have two dozen bags of materials to kit up for my class on microgreens. Luckily, Juana is helping me put everything together. Though it is a bit […]
With unseasonably warm temperatures and clear skies, I decide to hop on my bike for a 22-mile circuit from my house around the Titicus Reservoir and back. You don’t get many of these days in February so you have to take advantage of them when they pop up. My bike needs little maintenance beyond filling […]
The pickings are slim for fresh greens in February. After a long spate of very cold weather that was below 10 degrees Fahrenheit, the cold frame is not serving up much. But a break in the cold gives me a chance to look things over. Both the corn salad (Valerianella locusta) and miners lettuce (Claytonia) […]
The sun is out and bright this morning with temperatures in the mid-40s. Though this is far from tropical, Juana and I take a walk around the gardens looking for signs of life. Upon opening the door to the greenhouse, we are met with a blast with humid, hot air. The indoor thermometer says it […]
A Therapist’s Garden Giveaway!! To further tempt you to purchase my book, I am offering anyone who plans to or has pre-ordered my book one of four customized bookplate stickers. Each bookplate (derived from Rosana’s @artbyrosana illustrations) represents Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall. And I will inscribe it anyway you would like (within reason and […]
Flowers are always on the supermarket list this time of year. Part of Juana’s Winter survival strategy is to decorate as many windowsills as possible with fragrant and flowering plants.The kitchen sill has daffodils (Narcissus), primrose (Primula vulgaris), a lone cyclamen, and my grasshead. Many of the tiny pots get cycled out every couple of […]
“Everyone put on your glasses,” I tell my clients at Ann’s Place @annsplaceinc. “I think you all need some motivation when you make your grassheads. Given what you see, who or what will you use as a model?”It’s a comical sight, over a dozen clients stacked on a screen wearing faux Groucho Marx glasses. (I […]