Musings on horticultural therapy and the soothing effects of plants and nature
This year has been a strange one in the garden and the latest surprise is the emergence of a trio of blooms on one of our flowering quince bushes. Typically these bushes sport their red-rose-like flowers in mid-spring and then produce a few tiny fruits that never seem to make it to maturity. This year, […]
During these languid, slowing days of Summer, sometimes the best activity is no activity. Between the heat and humidity, it is prudent to be economical with movement, particularity in the afternoon. That is why perhaps the backyard is the best place to visit to throw down a blanket and watch the clouds roll by. High […]
It is a strange summer. And I am not sure if some of my plants in the garden know what to make of it. Both the tomato and blueberry plants have been fruiting for nearly a month. Yet the fruits just sit, unripened. Blueberry harvests have been meager and we have yet to taste a […]
Today should be the last day of the heat wave we have been having in the Northeast and I am grateful. Juana and I have stayed inside (and away from the gardens) more than typical for July. We have been fortunate, however, in that we open up the house and shut off the air conditioning […]
The heat and lack of water this July is showing up in all kinds of ways though we have minimized its effects in the garden. Our lawn of native grasses and “weeds” is cut high (only when needed) and is lush and green. This is in contrast to a neighboring lawn that is cut low […]
From the July chapter of my book, A Therapist’s Garden. July is the month of heat, homemade ice cream, and the desire to remain cool. It is an ironic time, as the weather and gardens have flipped into high gear after a long stasis. The warm evenings find fireflies illuminating the background for all the […]
Because we have a shallow well, all of the perennials in our gardens rarely get watered. They are left on their own without a supplemental drink regardless of the heat and lack of rain. It may sound cruel, but I don’t think we have lost a perennial yet to lack of water. Potted plants, annuals […]
Today is the Summer Solstice and everything in the garden is perfect. In pre-historic times, Summer was a joyous time of the year for those indigenous people who lived in the northern latitudes. The snow had disappeared; the ground had thawed out; warm temperatures had returned; flowers were blooming; leaves had returned to the deciduous […]
When is it time to put shade cloth on the greenhouse? When the temps are going to shoot up 30 degrees F to over 90 for the weekend. Our fluctuating weather is keeping me on my toes as I still have seedlings in the greenhouse. Will be watering a lot and keeping cool this weekend.
A lovely moonrise at the beach capped a perfect day with my daughter Sarah and her family.