Blog
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Cocktail Vodka Wax Begonia
Last year, when I walked Lafayette Square in Washington D.C., the wax begonias were thriving in the summer heat. The memory motivated me to plant Cocktail Vodka Wax Begonia this year. Wax begonias are easy to grow and provide interest from the moment they’re planted until first frost. Cocktail Vodka Wax Begonia Here are my…
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What Doesn’t Belong Here?
I stumbled on a corn plant while maintaining a client’s garden a couple of months ago. Most people would have pulled the plant. I love it when volunteers show up in the garden! Whether animal or vegetable, it doesn’t matter. Nature is Random and Ordered Nature is both random and ordered—certain plants like certain conditions.…
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Will Petunias Self-Seed?
If soil and light conditions are right, Petunias self-seed readily. The secret is to avoid accidentally weeding tiny petunia seedlings in late spring. Self-seeded petunias germinate around Memorial Day here in USDA Hardiness Zone 6. Right when spring rains start to dry out and the air temperature is on the rise. Petunia seedlings outgrow weeds…
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Visitors Welcome – Especially Cats!
Last summer, a couple of weird things happened. First, I turned on the backyard light one night and saw an orange and white cat patiently sitting under a shrub by the bird feeders. Then, a few weeks later, as I walked across the side yard, I spotted a black and white cat carrying something. I…
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Grape Hyacinth in Lawn
Yesterday, I spotted a grape hyacinth, Muscari armeniacum, growing on the lawn. I have no grape hyacinths growing in my yard. To the best of my knowledge, none of my neighbors do either. The plant is seven feet from a grouping of snow crocus that also self-sewed on my lawn. I made a couple of…
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Grass Edging Tool for Tree Rings
Yesterday, I cut a fresh edge around a couple of sugar maples with my favorite grass edging tool. We had rain and fog in the morning and the soil was soft. Perfect for edging! Spade for Grass Edging Tool Sometimes, I prefer to use a sharp spade to edge the lawn. I don’t always use…
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Pansies Yellow and Purple
Yesterday I spotted pansies in front of the supermarket begging for a home. They pulled on my heartstrings until I brought two flats home. The truth is, my wife wrote pansies on the grocery list. She didn’t have to. By early April, I’ll take any blooms I can to add color to the landscape. There…
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Snowdrops | Early Bloom
While walking the other day, I saw a grouping of snowdrops, Galanthus nivalis, that lit up the landscape on a blustery, bleak winter’s day. Snowdrops bloom incredibly early, before daffodils. This picture was taken in mid-March in USDA Hardiness Zone 6. The grouping is on the edge of a New England Forest in humusy soil. Partial…
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Don’t Let Past Affect Present
Yesterday I found this quote, and it invigorated me. Don’t let your past affect your present; let it motivate your future. Unknown If you know who said this, please let me know. A New Blog One of my goals this year is to start a blog about the topics in this post and more. I…