We can consider winter as the ‘weekend’ of the gardening year, both the last month and the first months of the year when we can enjoy a much-needed rest from the regular routine. A period of rest and renewal restores energy to both the garden and the gardener. It allows us time for reflection on the successes and challenges of seasons past and an opportunity to plan and prepare for the seasons to come. If winter is the weekend,...
The United States Department of Agriculture released an updated Plant Hardiness Zone map on November 15 that reflects changes for about half of the country. This updated map, the first since 2012, is based on the average coldest winter temperature, on the coldest night of the year, for each region of the country. The trend shown on this map paints an accurate picture of how many parts of our country are warming. The USDA cautions, however, that the data...
When you’re planning a new garden, do you look for a sunny spot or for a bit of shade? That used to be an easy decision. We all know that plants need good light to grow well. Gardening books used to advise anyone planting a small vegetable garden or flower bed to watch how the sun moves across the sky and how the shadows fall across their yard to select a good sunny spot to break ground. Traditional gardeners...
A Very Personal Challenge As more and more of us feel the effects of chaotic weather patterns and climate change on our own communities and families, we know that waiting for governments and corporations to ‘solve’ the problem is no longer enough. We each explore ways that we can make a personal, positive difference in this very personal circumstance. Whether we worry about heat or storms, flooding or high winds, we understand that communities around the planet are also...
We saw the first green leaf unfolding on a weeping willow tree today. It was a tree growing in the loop of the off ramp from Route 199 onto Mooretown Road. I can only wonder whether the heat from the road and passing vehicles enticed it to unfold so early, or if others all over the area are also opening on this warm, early February afternoon. It can be hard to remember from year to year exactly...
Water may be a blessing or a curse. Gardeners usually want abundant rain to nurture their plantings and generally have a back-up irrigation plan for dry spells. Providing the right amount of water for each plant is one of the keys to a gardener’s success. Working With the Water Cycle Just as leaves absorb carbon from the air, so roots absorb water from the soil. The water, and any chemicals or elements dissolved in it, may be stored in...
DIRT OR SOIL? Although we often use the words dirt and soil interchangeably, the differences between them are vast. Dirt is made up of clay, sand, silt, and rocks, with no beneficial nutrients or microbes. Dirt is dead. Soil on the other hand is living. In fact, it’s teeming with life. Soil holds the key to creating a sustainable garden, trapping and storing carbon, and providing a home for the billions of microorganisms and tiny creatures that help to maintain...