Nature, wildlife, and how gardening affects the environment.
Naturally Inspired
What do you think about the planting below? A corner of my own garden Hopefully you like it; it's a bit of my own garden so feel free [...]
Confession or Confusion. Sins vs. Good Deeds in Spring; A Letter from the Midwest
Some of these combinations are quite good. Some came by intent, some by serendipity. However they happened, that’s what years of growth and crowding, forgotten sowings, and much, much more allows. It’s what happens when wait-and-see wisdom gradually undermines sheer energy and willpower.
King Charles: Gardener and Hoped-For Climate Change Activist
Prince Charles visiting Common Good City Farm in Washington, DC. It's coronation time in Britain and some of you may be getting up at 5 tomorrow morning (or [...]
A Challenging Call to Change our Relationship with Nature
Gardening is an ancient craft but Mary Reynolds, a “reformed” internationally acclaimed landscape designer, hopes to propel a paradigm shift in how we approach the care and tending of our [...]
The Planet. Got anything else you’re worried about today?
U.N. Secretary-General António Gutteres spoke solemnly on Monday about the looming catastrophic consequences of climate change. He was yelling “Fire!” The tone: Make no mistake about it. There’s no [...]
Mason Bees, pollination heroes of a cold, damp spring
It’s in the best interest of gardeners, farmers, and anyone who eats, to support the health and well-being of Mason bees, a valuable early season pollinator. Independent, adaptable, and resilient, mason [...]
Seed Savants
Watching a seed cotyledon (sprout) pop through the soil is heaven on earth. I am especially interested in flower and tree seeds, but Rose and I collect a few [...]
New Year’s Resolution: Kill Red Imported Fire Ants!
Red imported fire ants (RIFA) traumatize nearly every gardener they meet, but like Travis at the Alamo, “I shall never surrender or retreat.” Despite the unrelenting torture they dish out, [...]
Maryland HOAs can’t require lawn but neglected-looking yards still aren’t okay
December 14, 2022 story in the New York Times This Maryland couple fought HOA rules requiring them to grow lawn and it resulted in a new state law [...]
Let it snow
In Western New York, we had what we like to call an “event” last weekend. There was a great explanation of what happened in the Washington Post on Thursday, November [...]
Thoughts on local beautification awards – like the one MY GARDEN WON – and what makes a garden sustainable
I haven't mentioned it until now - because I wasn't sure of success - but I can now confess that I nominated one of my adopted gardens for a county [...]
No, We Don’t Just Need to Plant More Milkweed
The call to plant milkweed -- while easily sharable and actionable -- is greatly reductionist and oversimplified. Maybe even harmful in some ways. I don't see it as a baby [...]