The Lady Bird’s Blessings
Again, an intrusion of aphids has found its way to the bridal wreath bush in my Maryland garden. The assailants have slowly drained the graceful shrub of its vitality. Year …
vegetable garden
The Enthusiastic Gardener
I grew up in southwest Ohio, the second of seven children. Our family’s vegetable garden covered over an acre. In early March my dad would purchase Kennebec seed potatoes. …
12 Secrets to Planning Your Vegetable Garden for an Abundant Harvest
There are some not-so-well-hidden secrets about planning your vegetable garden for a good harvest. The thing is, even though they aren't exactly "secret," they get skipped over a good bit.
To …
5 Winter Mulching Tips for Cold Zone Perennial Crops
There's not a lot going on in the garden in the middle of winter. Most of the plants are gone; the carrots have all been pulled up and stored; the …
An Autumn Gardener’s Motto
Goodness, the vegetable garden is finally—well almost, if truth be told—put to bed for another year. It is the exact same thing I’ve been doing for years: piling on top …
My Little Chickadee
Birds have always fascinated me. I keep a bird feeder or two (or three) and enjoy seeing who shows up for a meal. The showy cardinals, goldfinches, and blue jays …
Gardening Mishaps To Expect When You Move
Ha, the fun of moving to a new house without knowing what you’re getting into. And no, I’m not talking about knob and tube, or ancient septic systems, I’m talking …
3 Seed Sowing Methods to Start Your Garden Off Right
When I first began gardening, I had no idea there were different seed sowing methods. Of course, I knew a little about planting in rows, but even then, I just …
The Joy of Planning a Garden During Hard Times
In the Winter, I start to get the itch to start planning a garden extra early. Sometimes it’s only a few days past the holidays and I’m already waiting at …
Atheists on My Houseplants!
Master Gardeners do a lot of community service, including answering questions from home gardeners, often on community garden hotlines. Erv Evans, from the North Carolina state Master Gardener program, has …
