Spring woodland wildflowers

A second visit to a botanical wonderland this weekend ("The Pocket" on Pigeon Mountain, GA) -- along the Shirley Miller Wildflower Trail found numerous treasures in flower.  The Pocket is a rich cove forest (so pH levels are nearly neutral), supporting a rich array of wildflowers. Virginia...

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A review of "Organic Methods for Vegetable Gardening in Florida"

This thorough review in The Daytona Beach News Journal by Karen Gallagher is five pages long--Karen said it was 34 column-inches. I think it captures the essence of our book. It includes an interview with me, a notice of my appearance in Daytona this Wednesday, and it includes one of the many recipes...

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The power of nature

Those of us who are walkers, gardeners, hikers, birders, and/or naturalists know the power of green nature.  Folks that just enjoy being outdoors in the park, hanging out, or having a picnic know this too.I loved reading this piece in the NYT (in Well) about easing brain fatigue with a walk in the park, describing research documenting (positive) brain activity in response to green!I vividly remember...

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Almost a full moon

An unusually chilly spring evening, crisp clear air, and an almost full moon made for a beautiful walk this evening.  The still leafless trees were silhouetted against the clouds at sunset, with the moon high in the sky.  Breathtaking.March temperatures here in the Carolinas have been much colder than normal, even though spring flowering is advancing (the sassafras flower buds are about...

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And so the tour begins...

My vendor display includes a basket of edible crops and a vase of wildflowers.My three-month-long manic book tour consisting of 32 events, including 5 two-days events, started this Saturday with the Annual Wildflower Festival in Deland, FL. I'm on tour to promote my new book "Organic Methods for Vegetable...

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Piet Oudolf's garden

back garden - Piet and Anya Oudolf's private gardenI've talked a bit about my visit last fall to naturalistic gardens in the Netherlands and Germany recently, and have been reminded, again, about how amazing they were.  Piet and Anya Oudolf's garden in Hummelo, in the Netherlands, was remarkable...

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Spring birds are singing...

Northern Cardinals, Carolina Wrens, and American Robins have been the primary voices that I've heard this week (they've had to push themselves into my consciousness as I've been enveloped in writing and layout on our spring newsletter -- uh, work stuff).  Hhrmph! Hopefully, I'll have more time next week during spring break to listen more carefully.I did see one of our (that is, the SC Botanical...

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Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis)

The bloodroot in the oak hickory forest along the Heusel Nature trail (in the botanical garden where I work) is in full flower now.  It's right on time - I usually see Sanguinaria in flower from early to late March, depending on the year.  It's definitely spring here in the Piedmont of South...

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Old gardeners' tales

Old gardeners' tales are rampant, even these days. Companion planting advice as shown in this graphic is freely passed along as gospel of the garden. But most of the companion planting pairings (compatible or incompatible) have not been verified with scientific methods.  Nevertheless, books have...

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Natural landscaping, natural diversity, and wild plants

I love visiting natural places full of plant treasures - they're increasingly rare, but the protected ones are totally special.On the way to a Natural Landscaping symposium sponsored by the Wild Ones chapter in Chattanooga, Tennessee (a delightful event), we (that is, my sometime gardening companion...

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Creativity and gardening

Gardening is a creative activity, in my experience.I've loved putting plants together in containers in agreeable ways, mixing up vegetables and herbs in attractive combinations, and helping my gardening companion recreate natural plant combinations while restoring landscapes, etc.Finalizing a weekend program (on Gardening and Creativity) for the John C. Campbell Folk School (for next April, 2014)...

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Is native gardening a fairy tale?

Grassleaf Barbara’s Buttons (Marshallia graminifolia) are beautiful Florida natives suitable for any fairy tale garden… Once upon a time, a gardener decided that she wanted more butterflies and more birds in her yard. She read books and oodles of online material and then she attended classes, conferences,...

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The first rain lily of spring

Three days before this lovely rain lily (Zephyranthes atamasca) emerged, we received 1.8" of rain. Hence the common name... These lovely native plants are in the amaryllis family and mostly grow in damp ditches. We often see them along roadsides because that's where people and damp ditches most frequently...

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