All the things I cannot do

Just when I was getting ready for a normal summer, I strain my calf jumping to avoid a cicada to the face. Ugh. It’s not like I’m super squeamish about bugs and the like—I’m a gardener after all—but would you want this thing buzzing at you uncontrollably? Other than not walking for three weeks and…

Now’s as good a time as any…

Though I gardened through the year that wasn’t, I didn’t much feel like talking about it. But it’s Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day, and with spring always come signs of hope. I certainly feel that way looking at these blooms!

What kind of garden is this?

As the garden wrap its tenth year, I’m still figuring it out. In some ways, it’s starting to look like a real garden, where I have planned and planted large specimens, or where I’ve just been lucky. The edible and ornamental sections are merging, and a plan is taking shape. #block-yui_3_17_2_1_1592343541315_709 .sqs-gallery-block-grid .sqs-gallery-design-grid { margin-right:…

Bloom day

Gardeners are well equipped for this crisis. My garden and those of my neighbors are making this tolerable. On daily walks I get to see so much variety. It’s annoying we’ve had one of the nicest springs I can remember—blooms are lasting weeks instead of getting blasted by late frosts or storms. For more floral…

Spring awakening

We’re all spared an “oh! Spring’s here, has it really been a year?” post, because things have gotten weird. Being a news and science nerd, when I heard about Wuhan months ago I wondered if this would be the one (yeah, I’ve seen Contagion). Then it all unfolded in slow motion, and here we are.…

Zoom Bloom

There is entirely too much to do in the garden, as usual, but spring has a way of making you stop and look. Since last Bloom Day, we’ve had Virginia bluebells, Geranium, Irises, Violets, and native Azaleas. #block-yui_3_17_2_1_1557971432980_45881 .sqs-gallery-block-grid .sqs-gallery-design-grid { margin-right: -20px; } #block-yui_3_17_2_1_1557971432980_45881 .sqs-gallery-block-grid .sqs-gallery-design-grid-slide .margin-wrapper { margin-right: 20px; margin-bottom: 20px; } In…

Sproing!

I go away for a week or so, and all of a sudden, everything popped! It’s Garden Bloggers Bloom Day—see what’s in flower at May Dreams Gardens. #block-yui_3_17_2_1_1555374786754_18930 .sqs-gallery-block-grid .sqs-gallery-design-grid { margin-right: -20px; } #block-yui_3_17_2_1_1555374786754_18930 .sqs-gallery-block-grid .sqs-gallery-design-grid-slide .margin-wrapper { margin-right: 20px; margin-bottom: 20px; } In the front yard, I have a smattering of bulbs (tulips…

Sowing Seeds

This is the best time of year. I’m leaving behind the ill-timed fall plantings—tat soi, pak choy, cabbage, cauliflower, and turnips are all bolting; winter sowed spinach always does great—and starting over. Rotten wood has been removed, new beds installed, compost top-dressed, and seeds sown. I’ve planted carrots, arugula, lettuce, cilantro, fennel, Napa cabbage, radishes,…

Gardening Inside: Preserving with Food in Jars

It’s winter, but it’s citrus season! I’m doing the Food in Jars Mastery Challenge, a fun way to encourage preserving each month. I keep homemade preserved lemons in my fridge at most times, but I wanted to try this small-batch quick version with Meyer lemons from Mourad’s New Moroccan. Like chef Mourad, I prefer regular…

Dinky New Year

I walked around in the garden today to take stock, mostly noting all of the weeding I need to do if the ground ever dries out. It’s almost my favorite time of year—everything looks horrid, but all I see is possibility and potential for what it will be in summer. And greens—I even found some…