A family visit to Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden brings a long-awaited encounter with a magnificent baobab, known as the Tree of Life. Along with rainbow eucalyptus, tropical butterflies, and memories of Mom, Mary discovers how the seeds we nurture can shape our Garden of Life.

What does “native” really mean — and who decides? A visit to Pittsburgh’s Point State Park, reflections on urban ecosystems, and even the humble stink bug reveal surprising lessons about biodiversity, adaptation, and belonging in our ever-changing garden of life.

In winter’s stillness, reflections reveal what shadows alone cannot. From mirrored ponds to garden design and the quiet wisdom of roots beneath the soil, this post explores how nature teaches us about healing, self-awareness, and the promise of spring in the garden of life.

Hello, fellow lovers of all things green. I recently had the thrill of participating in a moth survey, thanks to my friends Blaine Rothauser of GZA Geoenvironmental, Inc. and Dennis Briede of Blairstown, NJ, whose meadow at the base of the Kittatinny Mountains harbors and nurtures abu

Hello fellow lovers of all things green, As I write, to my delight, it’s the morning after a porch camp. Our run of excessive heat and humidity has dampened enthusiasm for sleeping on the futon on the screen porch in recent weeks. I adore the sounds of nature during each camp an

Hello fellow lovers of all things green, I had the pleasure of meeting Carol Decker at her Garden Party and Art Show, co-hosted by Fran’s (Delgado) Farmhouse Kitchen, to benefit Birth Haven in Newton, NJ, which provides shelter and support for homeless pregnant women and girls.

Hello, fellow lovers of all things green. Last week, we discussed how disease and insects are impacting stands of trees. Among them, the emerald ash borer has devastated native ash trees, which comprise roughly ten percent of the forests here in Northern New Jersey. Some specimen tree

Hello, fellow lovers of all things green. Dragonflies are fascinating creatures with an unusual lifecycle and folklore to match. Plus, they benefit our gardens by controlling pests—a perfect unfolding. A few weeks ago, I shared a story about the Preservation of the Paulinskill River a

Hello, Fellow Readers, These are nutty times. Far nuttier than usual in my neck of the woods. The Shagbark Hickory nuts are overabundant and golf ball and size, so much so that walking amongst them is risky for ankle stability. It’s called masting when there’s an excess of

Hello, fellow readers, I always enjoy hiking 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 remain evergreen and others don’t. Good question. Let’s ask t