It’s been a long time coming, but more and more gardeners are finally becoming interested in growing butterfly gardens. Eleven years ago, almost to the day, I posted a blog (on a different platform) encouraging folks to grow more plants that attract and sustain butterflies. I figure it’s time to revisit that subject again. Seed … Continue Reading →
Under good storage conditions, winter squash and pumpkins can stay edible well into winter. I have a spot in my garage that stays cool, around 50 degrees, through the winter and that is right around the ideal storage temperature for squash. Air circulation is also important and there is plenty of air movement in that … Continue Reading →
This is the time of year I drag out all of my old seeds from last year and years before that. I always like to take inventory to see what I’ve got on hand before I order anything. We’re in the middle of winter and not all of the seed catalogs have arrived yet. Some of … Continue Reading →
Like most plants, jade plants’ water requirements change by stage of growth or from season to season. For example now, during the winter, there is less sunlight so plants including jade plants, are photosynthesizing less and won’t need as much water. The tendency for some gardeners is to kill their plants with kindness by over-water this … Continue Reading →
For a vast majority of people, Christmas poinsettias are a disposable commodity. There are a few of us, however, who adopt them as part of our permanent plant collection. A while back, for several years in a row, I kept one particularly bright red poinsettia that eventually grew to almost 4 feet tall. You can … Continue Reading →
There’s some talk among weather prognosticators about a speed bump developing in the polar vortex this winter. Some are saying very cold, below normal temperatures are just over the horizon and heading our way. If you haven’t already done so, now’s the time to finish up prepping your garden for winter. I’ve done all I … Continue Reading →
From flying in a vintage bomber over Ypsilanti to golfing in Spain and soaking in thermal baths in Budapest, 2018 was a stellar travel year Overcoming darkness, language confusion and near-panic as we scrambled to catch the overnight train from Prague to Krakow ranks among my top travel memories of 2018. In a year that … Continue Reading →
Regular readers of this blog know that I have a flock of chickens that not only provide eggs but also help out in the garden. For example, in the spring I let them out to weed fallow areas and to dig up grubs and other underground garden pests before I plant. I’ve had hens for … Continue Reading →
The Silent Night Memorial Chapel in Oberndorf, Austria. (Photo credit: Austrian National Tourist Office) Legend has it that the world has a hungry mouse to thank for the creation of one of its most beloved and enduring Christmas carols. “Silent Night! Holy Night!,” translated into over 300 languages and dialects, is marking its 200th anniversary … Continue Reading →
Last week I talked about the potatoes that I dug up very late in the season. What I didn’t mention was that same day I also dug my dahlia tubers that were still in the ground. Turns out they where in fine shape as well. It makes perfect sense that the tubers would look so … Continue Reading →
