Spring is such a treat.  It is so full of unique and beautiful flowering trees and shrubs that it is hard to take it all in and really feel like you have enjoyed it before it fades into the green of summer. My own garden boasts a Cercis canadensis (Eastern Red bud) that is just […]

Let’s get something straight. I’m never going to tell you that you have too many plants. If, at the height of the growing season, you can see mulch, I’d say you can probably fit more. And if my blessing isn’t enough to justify running off to the nursery to buy a few more things, consider […]

Making a garden should never be less than deeply fulfilling experience. There is no need to feel overwhelmed by landscaping plans and plant choices. The task can be approached in much the same way you might a kitchen update.   As a garden design teacher, my goal is to share with you ways to create […]

With only a few exceptions every US state has a university based extension program that operates a soil lab. These soil testing labs can used by both commercial growers and farmers and home gardeners. Most tests are very affordable (~$20 or less) and there are instructions for how to collect and package the samples on […]

image by murrayneill What makes a stepping stone path in your garden successful?   We have all experienced ones that are less than great – but perhaps never thought about why.   Stepping stone paths in gardens can be tricky and here is what I think makes them work. 1) The stepping-stones should be dramatically […]

Sedge lawns are a smart environmental alternative to traditional lawns.  While traditional lawns are resource intensive (i.e. mowing,fertilizing, and watering avoe rainfall levels typically reuired), sedge lawns are often less taxing. Sedges are close botanical cousins of the conventional grasses that make up traditional lawns. But what we consider traditional lawns in the USA are […]

Heather, over at Restoring the Landscape is not one of those all talk, no action people.  Her website covers a wide range of topics around restoring landscapes with native plants, creating wildlife habitats, birds, insects, biodiversity, and invasive species. Heather herself rectnly restored the landscape around her own home in Minnesota. And when I say […]

Winter wreath making festivities start with post-Thanksgiving walks. With pruners in one hand, and the canvas log carrier in the other, I love to forage for my favorite cuttings to make a beautiful fresh winter wreath from the local hedgerows.

I zig when everyone else is zagging. I can’t help it. It is part liability, part superpower. (every wonder-woman/ mom has a fatal flaw, and this is mine… and also cookie dough is my kryptonite). I could not bring myself to be part of the all the shopping chaos that was last week. So, now […]