Posts by Jenks Farmer
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. …
Read MoreWhen 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…
Read MoreShopping 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…. …
Read MoreInnovation
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…
Read MorePerennial 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…
Read MoreCut, 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…
Read MoreSC 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…
Read MoreCarolina Gems
Today’s plan got canceled by the cold. And by the desire to do something fun like getting a new wash station set up in the nursery— Jacob and I dug trench and secured a sink. We were supposed to work with this beautiful plant, ‘Carolina Ruby’ Yaupon. Tomorrow maybe, we’ll dig holes to ready some…
Read MoreHere are a dozen slides or so of tools — pictures I’ve taken from around the world!
Read MoreBetter Than Boiled Peanuts?
I understood immediately when he said, ‘taste this’ that Mr. Ben wasn’t trying to trick me or wait to laugh as I grimaced. He was sharing. Now, he and I know and we know each other knows, the taste of the amber colored jelly that fills the bean pods of Kentucky Coffee Tree. He told…
Read More