Musings on horticultural therapy and the soothing effects of plants and nature
After nearly 15 years, it is time to hang up my trowel at Ann’s Place. It has been both a joy and privilege to work with its many clients and help design and maintain the grounds. A big shout out goes to Wilda Hayes ( @wmorgh) who trusted me initially when Ann’s Place was in […]
May is when my greenhouse is bursting as all my inside seedlings need to start the hardening off process as well as be transplanted. In addition, I stopped at @gilbertiesorganics for my yearly pickup of herbs for @annsplaceinc. So between the two, I need to keep the space extra tidy to make room. Gilberties, like […]
Right now pansies and violas are pretty much all you can find at garden centers and they are the best plants for flower pounding. This exercise takes a flower and through the use of brute force (and a hammer) transfers the image of a flower to paper or cloth. We are back to in-person, unmasked […]
The last virtual class on seasonal decorations that I did for my clients at @annsplaceinc I ran short of materials . . . . .for me. I had given nearly all my material on hand for this class to my clients and had forgotten to save some. I was able to scrounge up a pine […]
I am often amazed at the inventiveness of my clients at @annsplaceinc The latest class we finished was packed with 21 people to create seasonal wreaths out of spruce cones, acorns and other things collected from the outdoors. The cones were easy to collect though I needed to purchase acorns for the first time ever. […]
The threat of rain forces me to transform my garage into classroom for my Ann’s Place clients. Given the heat, it turned out to be a good decision for my session on flavored vinegars. “Before we start with flavored vinegars, I’d like all of you to try some of the artisanal vinegars that I make […]
The fence at @annsplaceinc is full of hops flowers and foliage softening its appearance. As hops are wind-pollinated, few bees and other insects are attracted to it. Will I ever get around to making beer with them?
The American wisteria (Wisteria frutescens ‘Amethyst Falls’) is blooming in spectacular fashion at @annsplaceinc. We planted this many years ago as part of a corporate donation, which funded the building of this arbor and a meditative labyrinth below our parking lot. Growth in the beginning was spotty as none of the local deer in the […]
It’s time to pound pansies (Viola tricolor v. hortensis)! I had to corner the market for pansies and violas to get enough material for my next horticultural therapy class, ‘Pounding Flowers’. Though a class with the title of ‘Pounding Flowers’ sounds a bit cruel, everyone loves the final result, which are prints that take the […]
Last Saturday, April 24 was clean up day at @annsplaceinc and we had a full contingent of folks helping us. I was worried that it would be too late in the season, but a cool April kept most everything in statis. A bright, day, the crew weeded, raked, and spread 10 yards of Sweet Peet […]