Articles by Jules Ivan Garay

Legacy in Bloom

Legacy in Bloom

“The one who plants trees, knowing that he will never sit in their shade, has at least started to understand the meaning of life.” – Rabindranath Tagore  
Sunflower Jam in Amma’s Yard

Sunflower Jam in Amma’s Yard

The chipped enamel mug bumped funky music against my ear as I crouched by the dusty earth. Sunlight sliced through the mango tree like a laser beam, spotlighting the scene—me  
Our Soothing Fountain

Our Soothing Fountain

Have you ever felt that serene calmness while listening to the sound of a fountain? I had always dreamed of having one, but convincing my husband, Don, that it would  
The Curse of the Unyielding Radishes

The Curse of the Unyielding Radishes

I have a confession to make: I'm a compulsive gardener. People often praise my green thumb, insisting that I can coax life from even the most stubborn of seeds. "Valerie  
The Great Plant Swap Mishap

The Great Plant Swap Mishap

Every year, I attend a big plant swap in a neighboring town hosted by a group of gardeners I affectionately call "The Ladies." This dedicated group is known for their  
Gardening with a Twist

Gardening with a Twist

In a local community designed for the over-55 crowd, a hidden gem exists—a community garden where residents can continue to nurture their green thumbs even after downsizing. Within this vibrant  
Diamonds in the Bean Patch

Diamonds in the Bean Patch

I am a bean gardener. Not just any bean gardener, mind you—I am one because I love to eat beans. There's something deeply satisfying about seeing big glass jars full  
Hose-Dragging Hilarity

Hose-Dragging Hilarity

When my son Dan started kindergarten 23 years ago, parents decided to replace the old, lethal metal playground with modern wooden structures. The school, built in the 1960s on a  
The Enchanted Garden

The Enchanted Garden

The yard was a wild expanse, an untamed canvas of green, encircled by thorny brambles that whispered secrets on the wind. It was October, and the rains had come, cloaking