Articles by Mike McGrath

The Last Tomato Story

The Last Tomato Story

It was many years ago (Several? Decades? Where are my car keys?! Have Evil, Key-Stealing Squirrels become tired of planting black walnuts in every one of my garden beds and  
Baseball is Gardening is Baseball

Baseball is Gardening is Baseball

It occurred to me several years ago that two of my three passions were so intertwined that they followed the same season. Pinball, of course, has no season and was  
In Praise of Snags

In Praise of Snags

Snags are dead trees left standing, which is the way of the world in the woods, but not in the American landscape, where imitation of Disney World plant sculptures is  
Goodbye Deck, Hellooooo Peaches!

Goodbye Deck, Hellooooo Peaches!

Yes, we spent the Summer under construction. The old porch—which my wife called “ratty” but I thought looked “authentic”—(She just yelled: “We’re both right; it was authentically ratty!”) came down,  
The Vines in the Pines

The Vines in the Pines

I grew pumpkins this year. Yes, I know. I did it, anyway. Life just doesn’t seem as sweet when you only do things that make sense. My column(s) would have  
Snowed Peas

Snowed Peas

Boy—I’m showing my age with the classic duo in that headline, eh? Hey, kids—go ask your parents (please God, don’t make them have to go ask their grandparents, oh please,  
The Power of One Pepper Clapping

The Power of One Pepper Clapping

I must needs be pounding out these wascally words in the barely-of-Spring, whence I am (or should that be was? Or even will be, if you consider I’ll probably be  
The Amaryllis and the Pussycat

The Amaryllis and the Pussycat

It’s early December and I’m out driving when some folks at my public radio station call me with a Big Idea: Let’s send poinsettias to five stations that are on  
Like White Roses in a Wet Spring

Like White Roses in a Wet Spring

That’s ‘Spring’ the season, not ‘spring’ as in a body of water (which would HAVE to be wet or it wouldn’t BE a spring, come to think of it…) whose  
Hey! Who Threw Tomatoes at My Car??!!!

Hey! Who Threw Tomatoes at My Car??!!!

First, I am pleased to announce that I have planted my peas earlier this year than ever before and certainly earlier than anyone in my native Pennsylvania would consider even