Carolina jessamine

Carolina jessamineCarolina jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens) is a great native vine in the southeastern U.S.   But what I hadn't realized is how well it responds to pruning, with denser flowering shoots (so more prolific flowering).  A recent stay at a B&B in Chattanooga found me...

Read More

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...

Read More

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...

Read More

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...

Read More

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...

Read More

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...

Read More

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...

Read More