Hello Fellow Readers, While recent temperatures feel like winter, it doesn’t officially start until December 21st, which brings the topic of what to expect from Old Man Winter and the science versus folklore of winter weather predictions. The folklore of predicting winter weather Ther

Hello Fellow Readers, While recording episode six of my new podcast series from the screened porch, an arresting sound came from thousands of swarming blackbirds that landed in our front yard. Squawking and feeding for a few minutes, then they took off in a synchronized wave – e

Hello Fellow Readers, Karen of Washington, NJ, emailed, “When should I plant garlic? I’m going to put leaves in my raised beds. Should I mix them in with dirt or just lay leaves on top?” Two great questions! Garlic, Allium sativum, can be planted in the fall or early spring as soon as

Hello Fellow Readers, Last week during a road walk with Miss Ellie, I admired waves of golden leaves showing their glory. Yes, many had dropped to the ground brown before they ever had a chance to change color. But they are beautiful too. Like the fields of corn that have turned tawny

Hello Fellow Readers, Leaf cleanup is underway, which brings me to the subject of leaf manners. It’s not neighborly to put your leaves into other folks’ woods or fields without permission. And, unless your town has a leaf-sucking-up program (curbside vacuuming), putting th

Hello Fellow Readers, If I may share a special announcement, dear lover of all things green: The launch of a Podcast version of Garden Dilemmas, Delights & Discoveries! We’ve been sharing through this weekly column for more than seven years now, for which I am so grateful to

Hello Fellow Readers, Recently I had the privilege of visiting the New York Botanical Gardens with nurserywoman become friend, Holly from Blairstown NJ. It was her idea to see the gardens featuring Brazilian landscape architect Burle Marx before the exhibit closed last week. Designate