IT WASN’T ONE OF THOSE “KA-POW!” YEARS in the garden, visually (well, unless you were my dear old rhubarb, above). In fact at many moments it was more “ka-bam!” (as in things crashing and burning, rather than showing off in bursts of glory). I’d lost 23 big shrubs and three trees in late 2011, in a freakish 18-inch October snow, so between that and the far-too-early, way-too-dry season of 2012, it was a challenge at times. But this is where my strong interest in the “why” of gardening—the science, and the miracles—comes in, so in the absence of big, colorful lilacs and the like, I set about looking for beauty in the details, in simpler, often-smaller things. A slideshow of the 2012 garden: [read more…]
slideshows
Since college-age, I have loved taking photos, and these days the garden is my primary subject.
parting-glances slideshow: late-october stars
October 23, 2012 By 9 Comments
YES, I KNOW: IT’S GETTING LATE. But among the parting glances of the fall garden, there are still some pretty spectacular moments to enjoy…if you hurry, and widen your gaze to include everything from a whole shrub border (below) to a self-sown, extra-dark kale (above) that nobody planted, but everyone got to enjoy. I captured some today for a new slideshow–highlights large and small. Have you taken a closer look at your late-fall garden? [read more…]
slideshow: appreciating september’s offerings
September 14, 2012 By 17 Comments
WITH THE FIRST COLD NIGHTS (we hit 41 degrees F Monday!) I’m suddenly invigorated–and overtaken by two impulses: to nest and get cozy (including tossing out loads of things), and to edit the garden (additions and subtractions both lie ahead). While plotting my plans, look what beauties I noticed through my camera lens in the almost-fall landscape: [read more…]
slideshow and podcast: august gratitude list
August 6, 2012 By 26 Comments
BROWN PATCHES of lawn and garden widen daily, and the “grass” is now a minefield of yellow-jacket nests. Ouch! But the hummingbirds dance around me while I weed, and the tadpoles have suddenly hatched into dozens of tiny frogs (boing, boing, boing!) and an older frog poses on a begonia leaf…and I’m grateful to be here, anyhow, if a little tired and crispy. [read more…]
order bulbs now (but why i’m skipping crocus)
July 1, 2012 By 37 Comments
SUMMER, NOT FALL, is the best time to order flower bulbs for fall planting (and garlic bulbs, too) to get the best selection, often at an early buyer’s discount price. I focus on animal-proof (or at least resistant) varieties here, like the “rodent-proof” Crocus tommasinianus, above, that as you can see really lived up to their promise of fending off predators. What a gorgeous display! All kidding aside, some bulbs I recommend: [read more…]
