Waking up
The greenhouse is getting crowded with the emergence of wintering over hibiscus, amaryllis and geraniums (Pelargonium) from the basement. A few make their way to the compost pile, unsuccessful in a seasonal transition. But I am confident that over half will reemerge anew. The amaryllises already had started to sprout ivory cream leaves looking to […]
Sunflower seeds
It’s time to pull sunflower (Helianthus annuus) seeds off their dried heads. Toward the end of Fall I harvest the sunflower heads that have not been too attacked by birds or squirrels. They hang in the garage and the greenhouse drying for the next 5 months or so.Now is the time to liberate the seeds […]
Wet plants
Once the weather makes the slightest turn toward warmth, plants do their best to make up for lost time. That is particularly true for wetland plants that have been encased in cold water or ice for months on end. One of the earliest and most spectacular is the skunk cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus) due to its […]
Spring greens
We are at the time of year when we must be judicious with how many of our greens we harvest. Until May, when the first strong crop comes in, we need to nibble and supplement. That is why I now pull extra greens from wintered over and perennial plants to add some heft and oomph […]
Seed wreath
uana got some inspiration to jump the gun on a horticultural therapy exercise that she was helping me kit up recently. It’s the last zoom class for my clients at Ann’s Place where we will be making pea and rose wreaths. It should be great fun!
Signs of guerrilla gardening
My horticultural therapy clients at⠀@annsplanceinc had a great time last week making plant labels and @seedbombs. These are simple exercises where clients young and old can be engaged. I was able to make the plant labels out of wooden stakes, mason jar lids and customized weatherproof labeling. The seed bombs also needed just three ingredients: […]
Talk time
Last week was busy with two book talks for the @thehoppgroundgardenclub and @annsplaceinc on the same day. Both were nicely attended and I started the groups out with a simple aromatherapy exercise before discussing A Therapist’s Garden. “Open the plastic bag you have and crush the sachet or the herbs inside between your fingers. As […]
Daffodil days
Juana is standing above the labyrinth at Ann’s Place where we have over 7,000 daffodils (Narcissus) about to burst out in bloom. At Ann’s Place, Danbury, CT, there are over 15,000 bulbs planted in a variety of spots. Starting next week it should be spectacular. Come and take a look and enjoy the beauty and […]
New greens
The cold frames did their job this Winter by letting me get a jump on planting this Springs. While all of the exposed beds are frozen more than 3 inches below the level of the soil, the two beds covered with the cold frame are thawed and toasty warm. I lost all the Swiss chard […]
Simply grateful
Last week I received a request from my publisher from a fellow named Scott requesting an autographed copy of my book, A Therapist’s Garden, as a gift. I agreed to contact Scott and discovered from him and a @gofundme account (whose page is reproduced here) that he is diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer. He […]