And naturally I have the ever dependable abutilon or parlor maple in bloom. Can you see how many buds are coming along? The Christmas cactus is almost gone by. But not quite. This year I am forcing a lot of bulbs. I haven't done much of this before and my timing seems to be off. These are mostly miniature daffodills I think. I know that is what is in the rectangular pot, at least. I have pots and pots…
One of the New Plants for 2011 profiled in the new issue of The American Gardener published by the American Horticultural Society is a Watermelon Radish from Renee's Garden. I am ashamed to say that when I first came across this beautiful vegetable in Beijing I insisted on calling it a turnip. Who ever heard of a radish as big as a baseball? My Chinese colleagues insisted on calling it a radish, but in spite of the fact…
Snowstorm! The chickens can't wait... I wish I had a portable chicken house! No joke.
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As you can see from the photo I am not skilled at carrying over a cyclamen. I buy one or two in November or early December, and they look great right through and past Valentine's Day. But once they lose all their blossoms and start to wilt all over I never know quite what to do. Today I got my e-leaflet from the Massachusetts Horticultural Society and saw the clearest directions for handling cyclamen after bloom that I…
Have you been longing for fresh greens and the chance to meet the farmers in our area? Long no more. It is time for Winterfares! This Saturday the winter farmer's market will be held at the Smith Vocational School in Northampton on January 15 from 10 am to 2 pm. Fresh greens, apples, honey, yogurt, root veggies, local grain, bread, the Soup Cafe (bring your own cup) and workshops. This is a delicious and healthy event - pure…
Janus, the Roman god whose two faces could look backward to the past, and forward to the future, gave his name to the month of January. He is a god of doorways, and the special patron of all new beginnings, a perfect symbol for the new year, when all things seem possible and sure of success. The month of January is a good time for the gardener to look backward to review the events of the past year,…
I can see a lot of sky from my house, but even when I am home it's hard to catch those tender sunrises or flaming sunsets at just the right moment. A couple of weeks ago I was driving home when the sun began to set. I had my camera with me and I knew I was too far away to get home in time to get an unobstructed view. I pulled over to the side of the…
This statue of Janus which stands at the entry to a woodland path at Tower Hill Botanic Garden seems perfect for an early January post. In this classical statue of the god of doorways and new beginnings, it is an old man who looks backward to the past, but a young man who looks forward to a new year with all its promise and challenge. On my solitary walk through the shady woods on that very hot summer…
As a Leo, born in August, it is no wonder that I love sunny colors. As a gardener I know how useful annuals can be in the garden, and in the vase. As a gardener who likes sure results I loves the All America Selections, tested flowers and vegetables that are all but guaranteed to succeed all across the nation. I find one of this year's All America Selections winners, Gaillardia 'Arizona Apricot' especially appealing. It looks to…