Know Where You’re Going

The front seat of my truck was full of rice today.  I drove gingerly.  This was incredibly important rice and even if it wasn’t, I don’t want rice spilled all in the truck.   The start of any plant is so full of potential that it’s priceless to the owner— to the farmer.  Rice seedlings,…

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Backgrounds

What you see behind makes all the difference to how your garden looks. My background is really different from yours.    Be creative. I’m outside about 12 hours a day this time of year.   In the background of my life, a group of editors at Timber Press have been reviewing and marking up the manuscript I…

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I Dug It. And I’d Do It Again….

When I was little, all the adults in my life had tiny folding camping shovels.   They kept them in the trunk, just in case they came across some cool plant on the side of the road.   My Mother still has a her little shovel in the trunk. Stopping to dig may not be cool anymore.  …

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When is the best time to work in the Yard?

Nothing better than a rainy day to do gardening.  Stuff sticking to you.  Muddy boots.  Compost and clay welding into the wrinkles in your hands and that filmy part around your fingernails.   That’s all good, but the best is that a rainy day is perfect for moving all kinds of plants and getting seedlings divided…

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Shopping for Wood

We’re building a giant trellis.   I love the day shopping for wood….. Here’s the first stop….                                       On to the Lumber Barn….                              …

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Innovation

I’ve been reading lots about a recent study that show that being outside enhances creativity.   Self analysis complete!   Now I understand me and I make perfect sense. That should help relieve any concerns about how I’ve chosen to use this incredible shrub.   As a vine.    Nothing new really.  Some Jasminum are vines while some just…

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Perennial Plant Association, Baltimore & Books

It’s 6 a.m. pouring rain and I’m headed out to unload a truck of perennials and palms from Florida.  I can’t wait.  This is what I want to do — all the things involved in making gardening.   From the soaking wet minutes and for the rest of the week, I get to think about how…

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Cut, Prune, Rejuvinate

                    You know, when you prune a fig, the cut smells just like figs.   I kept smelling it.  Wondered why I’d never noted that and wondered why it surprised me.  With my favorite hand saw, I got into cutting today.   Just the biggest or problem trunks on…

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SC Horticulture Industry Show

This show actually starts tomorrow but I did a quick walk around while people were moving in.   Here’s a quick impression:  there’s more organic fertilizer than I’ve ever seen at a trade show!   There’s also an interest in history and the ‘state of the industry…..Here’s an old John Deere, just like the one I…

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