Community seed sharing programs are appearing across the country in the form of seed libraries. Through these programs, members receive a small amount of seeds to grow and save, returning a share to the library for others to “borrow.” Seeds are very adaptable and will gradually adjust to the conditions where they are grown. By saving from … Read more
My christmas cactus is kind of disgusting. Many years ago, I had this (less than) genius idea to plant my cactus in a clear glass vase. I thought that the layers of rocks at the bottom with soil on top, permeated by the roots would be some sort of beautiful ant-farm-like terrarium of underground interest. … Read more
I’ve been cleaning out the back end of this site. So far, I’ve purged over 6G of extraneous files – which translates to a lot in website hosting dollars as well as a real sense of “fresh-start” satisfaction – 10+ years of blogging creates lots of digital junk. As I’ve been moving through old posts … Read more
Rodney’s thoughts: I will start by admitting that I have never been impressed with the Allegheny Serviceberry tree (Amelanchier laevis). The first serviceberry or shadblow (Amelanchier spp.) that I encountered was in Pennsylvania in 1996. I was told that it was an impressive, native tree that was being promoted as a replacement for the over-used Bradford … Read more
Helianthus grosseserratus, commonly known as the Sawtooth Sunflower, is an exciting and fun addition to any garden. This native North American perennial boasts striking features, including tall, upright stems adorned with bright yellow, daisy-like flowers. What sets it apart is its distinctive sawtooth-edged leaves, which add an intriguing texture to the garden. This sunflower species … Read more
I have lived in Maine for about a month now. A lot of folks told me that it would be different. It is different. Growing up in North Carolina and spending the past 8 years in Pennsylvania were quite a bit different than life along the coast of Maine. As a part of adjusting to … Read more
Correct me if I am wrong, but I think this is a picture of a lavender garden. I came across this image when putting together my last post about the Landschaftpark in Duisburg-Nord (which is where this was taken). Though I am not 100% sure that is what this is, as I study it, I think … Read more
Along the coast of Maine as we are readying for Christmas, our outdoor cultivation has come to a screeching halt as the ground is covered by a foot and a half of snow. To add emphasis to this being the time of the shortest days of the year, a half inch of ice fell the … Read more
I’ve got to scratch an itch – my travel itch. Today, Marrakech, Morocco, and the unique gardens of riads and oases are enticing. Tomorrow, it might be Sweden; it doesn’t matter where I just want to go. Lately, my town seems too small, and my whole world is just a little too familiar. My desperation … Read more
As I put together my ‘Spanish Blue Dancer inspired garden moodboard, I came across, again and again, the Jardin du Majorelle in Marrakesh. My wanderlust has been calling to me from Morocco (and India, too) for some time, so I was happily obliged to further explore the blue garden. Care to join me for a little … Read more