Reflections
It's the end of November and winter is definitely coming. Snow flurries are in the forecast. Highs in the 30s. However, this is an image from October.
Landscape Challenges: Puttering in Friends' Yards
Yesterday, we visited dear friends of ours who have a new house in the suburbs. They have maybe been there six months, but with a new baby and a toddler, have been pretty busy.
Siren Songs of Spring
The birds are returning and the frogs have thawed out.
Skeins of sandhill cranes have been flying overhead for almost two weeks.
Spring is in the Air!
Finally.
It smells like spring. The fragrances of soil, leaf mold, and waking plants are in the air.
What Gardeners Do in Winter: Part 3
We go on vacation.
In our case, it was Old San Juan, Puerto Rico for some sun, heat, and maybe a fruity drink with an umbrella in it.
What Gardeners Do in Winter: Part 2
I'm just home from my annual winter foray to a couple of our wonderful conservatories - Garfield Park and Oak Park. We are also spoiled in Chicago with Lincoln Park conservatory and a teensy, very cute Wilder Park conservatory in Elmhurst near the college. There's even the Mitchell Park Conservatory, or in my family the Milwaukee Domes.
Sustainable Gardening?
I'm fresh back from the Mid-Am Horticultural Trade Show and it was a great experience! I managed to sit in on quite a few classes, which was helpful for the 'Going Green in the Garden' class I just taught at the park district.
Winter Protection for Precious Plants
As you can see here, this little tree has a collar. It's not particularly dashing, but it does the trick. There's a few things to know about this tree and why it has its lovely plastic accessory.
What Gardeners Do in Winter: Part 1
Not only do we gardeners contemplate the winter landscape, admiring the patterns of branches or the way shadows fall on the snow. No, we do get out occasionally.