Musings on horticultural therapy and the soothing effects of plants and nature
The garden in December continues to deliver meals. This dinner—potato-leek soup,Swiss chard-ham quiche, radish and greens salad, potato bread—came out of the garden fresh as could be. The salad was particularly amazing with new greens emerging and the radishes holding up against the daily frosts. We still have some leeks in the garden that have […]
My September seeding of claytonia (miner’s lettuce) is paying off in the cold frame as its leaves are ready to munch on. Though some of the more delicate greens are fading, this one pops back even after the coldest of mornings. I place a heart-shaped leaf into my mouth and bite down. A slight sweetness […]
Crisp and clear nights show off the lights we have positioned around the house. Last year, for the first time, I put Christmas lights on the greenhouse and was pleasantly surprised on its festive appearance during the night. The microgreens and rosemary bushes within its space sit transfixed by the reflective light penetrating its insides. […]
Now that we have reached December, the beds have been cleaned, the bulbs planted, the flowers have faded, and the garden is desolate. Even the long persistent yellow flowers of witch hazel are gone following the examples of all other deciduous shrubs and trees. Seed heads of our coneflowers stand alone, waiting to be eaten […]
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. […]
It is time to harvest the last of the leeks (Allium porrum). This vegetable takes longer than any other to reach maturity but it is worth it as it helps make a savory and yummy potato (Solanum tuberosum) leek soup. The top crust of the soil is frozen though below is still warm and grainy. […]
Juana reminds me that we could use a line of bulbs along the fence that was extended late Summer. Outside the fence is now inside. All of the local stores are out of daffodils filling their spaces with Christmas effluvia, but great deals can be had from mail order companies. I am able to get […]
It’s a cold morning outside to fill the bird feeders. I notice that the bird bath is frozen solid; a few birds land on its edge and are thwarted in getting a drink. I wait until things warm up a bit and install a heater so the birds can continue getting a drink as the […]
Preparing for horticultural therapy classes sometimes calls for working well in advance. For some of my classes this Fall and Winter I need a variety of cones and nuts. To best collect them I start foraging in late September and early October before the leaves fall. This year I am fairly successful in collecting cones: […]
Ironically, the first zoom class at Ann’s Place a few weeks back is held on a lovely day and could have been outside. But everyone seems content and snug in their dwellings to make leaf lanterns. And as the craft requires the use of an iron it may not be a bad idea to do […]