Salt: Necessary Evil
In gardening as in life, the solution to one problem can be the cause of another. It happens when we burn fossil fuels for energy and the byproducts contribute to […]
Plant This, Not That
Is your garden in the grip of aggressive invasives? Are you enslaved to fussy dahlias? Do your hydrangea bloom begrudgingly? If you, gentle gardener, have ever thought to yourself, “There’s […]
Good Bugs in Your Garden
Is the term “good bug” an oxymoron? Mosquitoes bite. Ants invade. Wasps sting. Termites demolish. What’s good about that? You may think of bugs as the enemy in nature’s narrative, […]
Volcanoes vs. Doughnuts
There may be volcanoes in your yard. Don’t worry, they’re not active. They’re mulch volcanoes. But beware. They may be endangering your trees! Those of us who are guilty of […]
Living Gifts Keep on Giving
Weary of giving (and receiving!) the same holiday gifts year after year? One solution is living gifts! With a few supplies, a couple hours and a dose of creativity, you […]
Seasons of Your Landscape: First Time Homeowners
As a first-time homeowner, are you unsure of what you’re doing with your new (to you) landscape? (Hint: first of all, the plants go green side up). Get up to speed on […]
The Top 10 Ways We Practice Sustainability
Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not. ~”The Lorax” by Dr. Seuss Remember the Lorax? He’s the Dr. Seuss character […]
Trees with Knees?
Last month I uncovered something mysterious growing around the rim of the West Island Garden. Our swamp cypress trees have knees. It’s not that we didn’t know they had knees. We did. We […]
Vines by Design
Vines are not only easy to grow, they’re fascinating. Some varieties twist and twine, while others climb upward or creep outward. Many are easily trained, others mischievously meander. Natives typically […]
Wildflowers: Heralds of Spring
Fall is the time to plan and plant spring wildflowers “You anticipate them all winter long, but when you finally find them, they don’t last very long,” said Nancy Vehrs, Prince […]