Articles by Jules Ivan Garay

The Ghost Orchid’s Whisper

The Ghost Orchid’s Whisper

Deep in the mystical swamps of Florida, where ancient cypress trees stand like sentinels and the air hums with secrets, the rare Ghost Orchid hides its delicate beauty. Known scientifically  
Pumpkins on the Rise

Pumpkins on the Rise

My love for gardening sprouted during visits to my grandmother’s farm. Amidst her lush fruit trees and tidy vegetable rows, one sight stood out: her pumpkins growing skyward, their vines  
The Perilous Pepper Parade

The Perilous Pepper Parade

One fine Spring, feeling bold and adventurous, I decided to grow an assortment of peppers—everything from sweet bell peppers to feisty jalapeños, along with a few exotic ones with names  
Tussie-mussie and Timeless Traditions

Tussie-mussie and Timeless Traditions

Sally’s party was the stuff of Summer dreams. Her Maine island cottage was alive with oldies blaring from a stereo perched on the deck, the tantalizing scent of barbecue mingling  
The Great Tomato-tastrophe!

The Great Tomato-tastrophe!

It was shaping up to be the Summer I always dreamed of—my garden was bursting with tomatoes in every shade of red, yellow, and even a suspicious shade of purple.  
The Groundhog Gambit

The Groundhog Gambit

As I load the dishwasher, prepping for my morning battle with wiregrass, I glance out the kitchen window. The eternal struggle between that sneaky green invader and me never ends.  
Apple Orchard Antics

Apple Orchard Antics

I live in a mountain hideaway, a cozy home nestled in the heart of an apple orchard that feels like it was dreamed up by someone who took a few  
Cosmic Blooms

Cosmic Blooms

In mid-March 2020, as the world changed and fear of the coronavirus spread, I found myself separated from my mother, who was recovering from a stroke in a rehabilitation center.