And Christmas Begins

    When rose the eastern star, the birds came from a-far, in that full might of glory. With one melodious voice they sweetly did rejoice and sang the wonderous story, sang, praising God on high, enthroned above the sky, and his fair mother Mary. The eagle left his lair, came winging through the air, his message loud arising. And to his joyous cry the sparrow made reply, his answer sweetly voicing. "Overcome are death and strife, this…

Thanksgiving Continues

  • Post published:12/03/2009
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My Thanksgiving cactus (Schlumbergera truncata) had just barely started to open on Thanksgiving day, but it is in full bloom right now. It will have passed its moment of glory by Bloom Day, so I continue to give thanks in the here and now. I've had people tell me their Thanksgiving cactus or Christmas cactus never bloom at the proper season, but that is usually because they have misidentified their plant. The Thanksgiving cactus 'leaf segments' have little points…

Monday’s Muse

"Now, thank God, everything is finished; perhaps there are still things to be done; there at the back the soil is like lead, and I rather wanted to transplant this centaurea, but peace be with you; the snow has already fallen. . . . Well then make a fire in my room; let the garden sleep under its iderdown of snow. It is good to think of other things as well; the table is full of books which…

The Brother Gardeners

  • Post published:11/28/2009
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Much has been written about the “Columbian Exchange,” which refers to the plants and animals (and diseases) that were exchanged between the Old World and the New once Columbus started ships regularly traveling across the Atlantic. The Old World owes a lot to the New, especially in an agricultural sense. Potatoes, corn, tomatoes, cocoa, pineapples and pumpkins and a dozen other crops traveled from the New World to the Old so successfully that everyone’s diet changed radically. However,…

We Have a Winner!

  • Post published:06/06/2009
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Kate Bailey is the lucky winner of the froggy sundial. Kate, send me an email with your mailing address. I'll send that off to Teak, Wicker and More and they will send the sundial directly to you. Congratulations. Enjoy all the hours, sunny or not.

A Timeless Giveaway

  I was flattered to get an e-note from CSN Stores saying that the commonweeder had the kind of readership that they were trying to reach. They proposed  a Giveaway and I am very happy to pass that on to you. Their website Teak, Wicker & More offers a whole range of outdoor furniture which includes just about everything you need to make your gardens hospitable and comfortable. They have firepits and grills, planters, and of course, patio furniture. They…

We Have a Winner!

  • Post published:03/14/2009
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Lynne has won our Johnny's Selected Seed Giveaway! Congratulations! Once I have her street/mailing address I'll pass that on to Johnny's and they will send the $25 gift certificate directly to her. She is sure to have a great garden season.So thank you all for playing, and happy gardening.

We Have a Winner!

  • Post published:03/14/2009
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Lynne is our winner of the Johnny's Selected Seed Give Away!  With her $25 gift certificate she can buy anthing in the Johnny's catalog.  She is sure to have a great growing season.  Congratulations, Lynne.  When I receive your street/mailing address I will pass that along to Johnny's and they'll send you the gift certificate. Thank you all, and happy gardening to all.

Prize Winning Plants

  • Post published:03/11/2009
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            This is the time of year when our gardens are at their best – growing, blooming and ready for harvest in our mind’s eye. These visions are inspired by the catlogs mounting on the kitchen and coffee tables. Their bright pictures and lush prose encourage us to think that we will have the best garden ever this year!             There are organizations that work to make those best gardens possible by testing plant varieties to let us…

Johnny’s Selected Seeds Give Away

  • Post published:03/05/2009
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In 1974-75 I was a new gardener living in Maine. I joined the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA) where I met wonderful experienced and inspiring gardeners. I also learned about Johnny's Selected Seeds, a new Maine seed company founded by Rob Johnston, Jr. I was living in North Berwick, but we drove up north to see Johnny's seed fields and were totally inspired by the health of the plants, the energy of the crew and the…