book cover

October 10, 2008

life on the edge of frost, or indian summer?

Filed Under 'woo-woo' (essays and such), nature | 12 Comments

WE’RE LIVING ON THE EDGE HERE at A Way to Garden, literally: the edge of seasonal change. These two youngsters sat on the lip of one of the water gardens all day yesterday, sunning themselves like it was summer, taking the occasional lap around the pool. They seem to have forgotten we were close to frost two nights this week, since we’ve bounced into what feels like an Indian Summer. Me, too. You?

September 22, 2008

bookends to a great gardening season

Filed Under 'woo-woo' (essays and such), etcetera, nature | 29 Comments

WE OPENED THE SEASON HERE WITH A SALAMANDER, whom I’d fished from the little pool out back while mucking out debris.  Trusty garden helper and small-game handler Susan held him for his portrait, and we both enjoyed the moment (not sure he did), a special kickoff to spring. This week, as we began fall cleanup, another omen: The littlest frogboy ever hijacked a ride indoors.

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September 11, 2008

‘a way to garden’ in the washington post

Filed Under 'woo-woo' (essays and such), etcetera | 46 Comments

I WASN’T SURE WHAT TO THINK when the frogboys invited Washington Post garden editor Adrian Higgins over for lunch not long ago (well, except I was sure that I’d be doing the cooking, or we’d be eating slug sushi).  But charm him they did, apparently, and Thursday’s story in The Post about us is likewise charming (as is its horticulturally expert, dapper and wickedly droll author). Read more

August 13, 2008

tell the truth: do you like to mow?

Filed Under 'woo-woo' (essays and such), lawn care (organic) | 52 Comments

IT’S A SIMPLE QUESTION: DO YOU LIKE TO MOW? Unless, of course, like me you have a love-hate thing going with mowing. I am always irritated that there’s mowing to be done. But I am also always relieved, since “mowing to be done” means legitimate escape from things like writing, which sometimes has me circling the airport, not landing the plane, if you know what I mean. Mowing: Now there is something with immediate, tangible results.  You cut the grass blades, and they look cut. You try to write and, well, sometimes you don’t get any words.  So tell me, do you like to mow? Going out to mow now…