Many of us had childhood experiences that launched a lifelong journey immersed in nature and gardens. Reading Page Dickey's Uprooted: A Gardener Reflects on Beginning Again brought back memories of my own beginnings. We both began just being with older relatives in their gardens, resting or reading on thick pungent pine needle carpets, frequent walks [...]
When an accomplished friend and kindred spirit comes out with a wonderful book, it's time to celebrate. I welcome this opportunity to recommend The Heirloom Gardener: Traditional Plants & Skills for the Modern World written by my knowledgeable, passionate and generous friend (and accomplished cook) John Forti. Forti wears a lot of hats - he's [...]
Ah, August. That bounteous time of year again. Time to think ahead to darker days. These days I tread a thin path through the dining room, so I don't catch my hair in huge hanks of anise hyssop, mint and lemon verbena hanging from the rafters to dry. Because it's been so humid, I clip [...]
My "there are no rules" attitude and "keep throwing color at it until it sings" way of gardening doesn't work for everyone, especially beginners afraid of making mistakes. There are no mistakes. That's how you learn. But it does help to have some guidance. Although Stephanie Cohen and Nancy Ondra's Perennial Gardener's Design Primer was [...]
Kim Eierman is an environmental horticulturist, landscape designer, speaker, teacher and founder of the horticulture and communications company Eco-Beneficial in Westchester County, NY. It's really easy to turn people off by telling the truth. Even willing, well-intentioned listeners can feel beaten up by too many discouraging facts and figures. Eierman doesn't just tackle the upsetting [...]
Early winter is time for musing and making notes. For assessing successes and failures in our gardens while they're still semi-fresh in mind. We can change course and leave failures behind - there's always next year, right? Why not cozy up with a good book and let some new ideas take root. Winter is a [...]
Trees have a big, hopefully long-lasting presence in a landscape. Choosing just the right tree means asking a lot of questions beyond - but definitely including - appearance.
Soon after settling in beside the wood stove with Summer Rayne Oakes' How To Make a Plant Love You and a comforting cup of tea one recent cold Saturday, I had to lay that book right down again - and turn to plants.
Three books reveal the hidden life of moss, mushrooms and trees, considering them from ecological, culinary and spiritual perspectives.
Joann Gardner and Karen Bussolini, authors Karen Bussolini, photographer Timber Press The beauty and drought-tolerance of familiar downy silvers such as lamb’s ears and artemisias have long made them favorites in the herb garden and perennial border. Elegant Silvers explores of the entire range of these distinctive fragrant, useful and deer-resistant plants. Digging for Silver [...]