Hello fellow readers, Over the weekend I enjoyed a hike along the Appalachian Trail with a longtime friend from Boonton NJ. While meandering the rocky terrain peppered with hemlock and spruce, Barbara asked why some trees are evergreen and others are not. Good question. Let’s ask the

Hello fellow readers, While the fall planting season is wrapping up, there’s still time to plant most species of woody plants. Good thing as Gail and Rich of Sparta NJ have a naked garden dilemma since a new neighbor moved in who opted to take down a glorious stand of Canadian hemlock

Hello fellow readers, I just ordered 500 bulbs and am ramping up to dig them in. I confess that planting bulbs are not my favorite to-do and in truth, I haven’t planted them in many years. Maybe because the gratification comes months later, though beautiful things are well worth waiti

Hello fellow readers, I recently returned from a respite in Virginia Beach. What a treat to enjoy summer weather and sunshine especially given our summer of wetness. In the fridge was a half a watermelon in plastic wrap which I didn’t think would still be viable. But it was. When I pu

Hello fellow readers, Is fall a good time to mulch, asked John of Washington NJ? I think so, especially because when spring arrives there’s much to do in the garden and for me, the madness of the season speedily unfolds. This spring, like most springs, mulching didn’t happen despite m

Hello fellow readers, Mums and ornamental cabbage have become the iconic welcome to the glories of fall, though there are other less common fall annuals gaining popularity. Lynda of East Stroudsburg PA asked what the bright pink caterpillar-like blooms that sit atop spiky foliage are?

Hello fellow readers, On September 22nd, the first day of fall, our weather seemed to turn a switch and leaves began to drop. It’s no surprise the early leaf changers and droppers, customarily maples, are showing wounds from the growing season endured. I stumbled upon one such leaf wh