Articles
Sedums Are Tough Plants for Tough Places
June 2014
While many of the showier perennials such as iris, salvia and penstemon have made huge, stunning appearances with our wet spring, as we enter into the heat of summer, sedums are coming into their own deserving honorable mention. This large genus commonly known as stonecrop is somewhat of an unsung hero in the garden compared to its larger, razzle-dazzle counterpoints. They might seem understated in their presence, as most of them require that we look downward for closer inspection because of their ground hugging nature. In fact, if you’re hurrying through life, you may miss these gems altogether since they are often tucked here and there in the landscape. With such a broad range of growing habits, you’ll see their succulent, fleshy foliage and star-like flowers used to bring color and texture to a number of settings.
Planning for a Resilient Garden
May 2014
With so many conditions being unpredictable in today’s world, the concept of resiliency in the landscape and garden has been swirling around my mind. The biggest reality check comes with the weather and how it impacts everything else. Three big questions come to mind. First, how do we anticipate or prepare for extremes of sunny and warm as it gives way to frost and frigid temps all within 24 or 48 hours.
Your Holiday Gifts to Loved Ones Can Also Help the Environment
December 2013
With the holiday season in full swing, most of us are probably preoccupied with finding that perfect gift for those we know and love as well as for the less fortunate who may be outside our realm of everyday contact. There are a number of choices for giving useful, environmentally conscious gifts from the heart that would be appreciated by the recipient.
Don’t we all enjoy being able to check things off that persistent to-do list which weighs heavy on our mind? Gifts of service for those who love their gardens and indoor plants but no longer have the time or ability to care for them would be especially thoughtful. This might include vouchers for pruning, clean up or plant repotting services which immediately gives visually uplifting results while potentially improving the health of the plant.
Strive to Find Harmony and Balance via Nature in 2014
January 2014
I am writing this on the threshold of the New Year and find it’s a good time to prioritize intentions for the next twelve months in the collective big back yard. You are cordially invited to join me by making it personal and specific to your own well-loved landscape and needs, literally and metaphorically.
First and foremost is to express gratitude for how beautiful, functional and life enhancing these outdoor living spaces and their inhabitants are. Can we resolve to have our lives be full but not be so busy that we lose sight of the importance and benefits of taking a meaningful three or five minutes to wander and wonder around our yards, taking in all is there to be gleaned?
Prepare Garden, Landscape for Transition to Fall
September 2013
This past week was a notable reality check for our summer to autumn transition. The temps dropped and we are getting closer to the fall frost date which will likely occur within the next 30 days or so according the National Climatic Data Center’s freeze/frost table. Hopefully, the hard frost which puts an end to the tomato, pepper and squash crops will hold off until late October while still giving us high yields of late-summer planted salad greens, scallions, and peas. The longer season would also allow a final picking of sweet and juicy grapes, raspberries, and apples.
If you are planning to extend your garden yields, now is the time to gather frost cloth and old sheets which will provide an additional 2-8 degrees of protection depending on the fabric’s weight. Cold frames can still be constructed to enjoy late winter salad greens once the increased daylight is sufficient.