It isn’t all that unusual to have five inches of new snow on the first day of spring. There are two ways to cope: either … Continue reading
There is nothing that irritates me more than the month of March. Well, national politics but that’s only this year. March springs eternal. I have… Continue reading
So here it is Sunday evening at elevation 396 feet. I spent the afternoon shaking almost two feet of wet, heavy snow off shrubs. I… Continue reading
This column is being written on Super Bowl Sunday. Taking into consideration that it would be impossible for me to care less about football I… Continue reading
Never ever have I had a garden take such a leisurely farewell. Well, maybe last year’s. Maybe I need to get used to leisurely. … Continue reading
John and I took a lovely walk on the logging roads accessed off Knob Hill. Used now by hunters, they quickly diminish to four wheeler… Continue reading
I’ve been doing a lot of looking around this week, looking to see what is still in bloom, lots actually. At first I was skeptical… Continue reading
W ho would have thought that I would have to spend a chunk of August in Detroit? That’s right, Detroit. Of all places. Detroit. May… Continue reading
My, but I have been having fun this week. I needed to contact Janice Chumley, the integrated pest management technician at the Cooperative Extension Service… Continue reading
Jade the Dog hunts red-backed voles in the perennial beds. Mayhem. Destruction. Fewer red-backed voles. What a trade-off. The vegetable garden is interesting… Continue reading
The mere mention of Impressionist painter Claude Monet brings forth, in many minds, stunningly beautiful pieces of art that capture the colors, textures, emotions, even… Continue reading
It’s the best: three “grands” old enough to entrust with scissors and willing to go forth and cut slugs in half. This is akin to… Continue reading
I met a soon-to-be retired couple this afternoon. They are moving to Homer from Anchorage and building a new house. And one of the big questions… Continue reading
Yikes. I was in Bellingham for six days. I thought that six days wouldn’t be significant. That my garden wouldn’t miss me. Wrong. People, you… Continue reading
I’ve been fussing around with the delphiniums. Now is the time to stake these beauties, now — before they bloom and the wind tears into… Continue reading
T his gardening season is off and running. Here at elevation 396 feet, I have the entire vegetable garden planted; all of the annuals have… Continue reading
Busy. This is the point in the gardening season that so much happens at once. We have had a long spring, very unusual, and the… Continue reading
O, the wonder of bulbs. Over the years I have been reluctant to invest in them. There are too many variables that can lead to… Continue reading
The very best aspect of procreation are the ensuing grandchildren. Cecilia, our 9-year-old granddaughter, has recently moved from Hidden Hills to part way up East… Continue reading
I just finished a charming book: “Beatrix Potter’s Gardening Life” by Marta McDowell. The second half gave me food for thought. It went into detail… Continue reading
