Time to think fall crops. Weather has finally cooled down a bit and we are thinking of lettuces and greens and beets and carrots (which always do better for me in the fall). Given the successful overwintering of broccoli last year, maybe even...
Read moreHow to Prune
Just did a couple of pruning lessons today and am reminded how helpful it is to have some basic info. about how to properly prune trees and shrubs. Here’s a link to a good overview...
Read moreWhat’s (still) blooming now???
Stachys monieri ‘Hummelo’, Alpine Betony This is a work horse plant- started blooming a few weeks ago and has kept upright and attractive through a bunch of hot, humid, rainy summer days that made me want to flop and fade. Just...
Read moreWhat we are weeding now: Yellow Nut Sedge
This sedge looks like a grass, but has the distinct center edge in the blade that lets you know it is a sedge. Even if you were a Round-Up person, you’d have no luck eliminating the weed with an herbicide. We suggest pulling the sedge but...
Read moreSerendipity
Oldest son- ‘Mom, we’re out of fruit.’ Mom- ‘Not sure when I can get to the store.’ Serendipitous moment-Walking outside with dog and noticing that the berries you hadn’t checked on in a few days are ripe and...
Read moreReduced carbon footprint, improved quality of life…
For all of us tied to cars and big houses…observations from my husband who is in Denmark at the moment, about how the Danes live pleasantly with a significantly reduced carbon footprint: ‘Garden plots. Since so many people live in...
Read moreThe Emerald Ash Borer is killing trees….and people
Wow. http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2013/01/when-trees-die-people-die/267322/
Read moreMicrobes in the soil are good for human health as well
Check out this article in The Atlantic: http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2013/06/healthy-soil-microbes-healthy-people/276710/
Read moreStorm Water Run-off in Sligo Creek
Reminds me of the anti-litter commercials in the 70’s. Remember the Native American standing by a highway full of trash, tear running down his face? Thought we were getting better?
Read moreNew cocktail mixer?
We’ve been planting Aronia arbutifolia (Chokeberry) for a while now. Chokeberry is a native shrub whose beautiful fall color is a great sub. for the invasive Burning Bush. But you get a lot more with Aronia: Flowers and edible berries. Read...
Read moreLearning to see
The first time I heard of the Barnes Foundation it was still in Merion, PA. My mom had returned home from visiting the museum with friends, and I asked to go back with her, but wasn’t allowed because I was too young. At that time, I think...
Read moreEvergreen Wood Fern
These Evergreen Wood Fern (Dryopteris marginalis) have been in the garden for less than a month and are thriving in the dry shade under an old Maple. Great native choice if you have these conditions. More info...
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