Musings on horticultural therapy and the soothing effects of plants and nature
The unrelenting cold is hopefully breaking but it is putting everything to task. The birdbath has but a tiny zone of water that the birds queue up to drink. I need to refill the liquid-zone at least once a day. I decide to take a look at the cold frame and all the frozen moisture […]
Bone chilling cold. Taking the compost out, the temperature, or lack of one, takes my breadth away. At 10 F in the shade, each puff hurts. When I exhale through my nostrils, little stalactites of ice form on my mustache. To me that is the sign of cold. Most the plants stoically stand, unmoved much […]
In the dark and cold of Winter, bright colors are a welcome surprise. This pair of bluebirds resting and feeding on sunflower seeds are a lovely and uncommon distraction.
Every time I come back from the supermarket this time of year, I always return with a plant. Though spray roses from South America are always appreciated, I try to get plants that will live on in the years to come. Miniature daffodils (Narcissus Tete-a-Tete) are top of my list. Their bright yellow flowers brighten […]
At the entrance of a drab, red-bricked building hidden in the woods, I push the buzzer on the intercom, identifying myself and the persons I am there to see. A crackly, static-laden voice acknowledges my request, and after a minute the large, gray steel entry door swings open toward me. I am led down a […]
You know it is cold outside when the melt off the roof is frozen coming out of the downspout. This morning it hit a low of 12 F and it is likely to get even colder later in the evening. One of nature’s thermometers that can tell you an approximate temperature is the rhododendron. There […]
I don’t take light for granted in Winter. Between the many cloudy and inclement days, it greets us far too infrequently. This morning, the low-rising sun shines straight through the solarium’s windows hitting the paperwhite (Narcissus papyraceus), illuminating its fragrant petals. The flower glows in the clean, morning daylight.The light brightens the nearby amaryllis spikes […]
Like many of my classes at @annsplaceinc, the one on vanilla extract is full with over 20 clients. Last year I also taught this class so some of my regulars decided not to attend as they still had vanilla left over. I start by asking everyone what are their favorite uses of vanilla (Vanilla planifolia). […]
After shoveling out the driveway and walks, the cold frames and greenhouse are next. Today’s snow removal is easy as it is the first of the season and there are plenty of places to put the snow. With a plastic edged grain shovel, I carefully remove layers of snow from the first cold frame, tossing […]
The first real snow (beyond a dusting) of the year or season is always special. It can be the last moment for weeks or months when the ground is visible. Yesterday’s 8 inches of snow was perfect in that it was enough to blanket our sleeping gardens with a fluffy layer. It is best viewed […]