Musings on horticultural therapy and the soothing effects of plants and nature
The lovely purple flower and bright orange stigma of the saffron crocus (Crocus sativus) thrills nature lovers and cooks each Fall upon their emergence. But now, as the corm has gone dormant, I am tasked with the long delayed need to divide and propagate. Years ago to protect these rare and valuable corms, I created […]
The fringetree (Chionanthus virginicus) is one of my favorites natives. This slow-growing understory tree delivers a spectacular lacy flower that appears to drip off the tree. Approaching it I can’t help but be intoxicated by its sweet, honeysuckle-like scent. By its appearance, it is obvious why one of its names is old-man’s beard.
Last Fall, my brother Craig gave me a large slab of cottonwood (Populus) that I have finally had the chance to turn into a bench for the garden. It sat all Winter in the shed curing and looked great with few cracks upon inspection. I get my belt and orbital sanders (and lots of sandpaper) […]
It’s flower Friday again! We can’t keep up with all the new blooms that emerge every week in the garden so here are the top ones. Chives (Allium schoenoprasum): This puffball of a flower is not only lovely but it has a scent with a big kick to it. Rhododendron: I have no idea of […]
Nearly 20 clients from @annsplaceinc attended the two classes on herbs at my house. Because my budget is tight and I was unsure of sources, I grew oregano (Origanum vulgare), thyme (Thymus vulgaris), basil (Ocimum basilicum), and stevia from seeds in April to cover my bases. Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus) I got from my usual supplier, […]
Great news for the beginning of June. First I am delighted to announce the three winners of my book, A Therapist’s Garden, from last week’s contest. They are: @ninjahikernc @brian_pickard @bluespringscottage Congrats and I will be sending autographed copies out to each later this week. But also A Therapist’s Garden has been announced as the […]
Our lower vegetable garden was created less than 10 years ago as we ran out of space for everything we wanted to plant for food. Ironically one of the best places with ample sunshine is adjacent to the driveway next to the street. After extending our deer fence around it, and installing raised beds, we […]
Last week was a mad rush to finish planting up all the vegetable gardens. Both seeds and transplants from the greenhouse finally went into the soil. I have discovered that little is gained by planting early and much can be lost in stunted or killed plants effected by a late early-morning cold snap. In fact, […]
Checking out the garden this morning I discover that it has been visited by one of my nemeses: a chipmunk. Resting on the greenhouse wall next to the strawberry patch is a half-chewed, unripened strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa). Such a totem heralds the beginning of predation and fewer if any future berries to savor and […]
Juana and I admire the emerging pollinator garden at Ann’s Place. I recently planted sunflower (Helianthus) seedlings to complement the other plants that butterflies and other insects love. The perennials include: Anise hyssop (Agastache foeniculum) Lavender (Lavandula intermedia Phenomenal) Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) Coneflower (Echinacea) Shadbush serviceberry (Amelanchier canadensis) Allium Last year aphids wiped out the […]