Gardening

The Ups and Downs of Asparagus

The Ups and Downs of Asparagus

I’m far from being an expert on asparagus. In fact, I’ve been a little disappointed in my asparagus harvest, so I decided to do some research to see if there’s something I can do to improve it for next year. I thought I’d share what I’ve learned, along with my experience – the ups and downs …

Rainy Days ~ A Simple Pleasure

Rainy Days ~ A Simple Pleasure

I love rain. Rainy days make me feel like nesting. Maybe that’s because God is taking care of my watering chores, and when I have seeds sown and new plants getting established, I especially appreciate the help that a good soaking rain gives them. Rainy days give this gardener time to catch up on a little …

On the Hunt for Redbuds and Phlox

On the Hunt for Redbuds and Phlox

Now that spring has arrived, I’ve been really busy gardening like a mad woman. In my flower garden I’ve been weeding and pulling up grass, as well as planting and transplanting. One of the corners of the front yard has been neglected, and while working out there I kept thinking about what it needed. I finally …

A Green Thumb Grows

A Green Thumb Grows

It was such a beautiful day! All week I had been looking forward to spending it in my front yard flower garden. For a variety of reasons, I hadn’t been able to spend very much time out there lately. It was something I just had to do, for my own well-being as well as for the …

Poultry for the Homeplace ~ A Practical Primer

Poultry for the Homeplace

Poultry are not paltry on the homeplace. They each serve a purpose and are profitable. Poultry refers to a variety of domesticated birds that are raised for their meat and eggs. It includes chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese, and guineas. Plumage I think of our birds as feathered flowers. They all have different colors and patterns, and …

Patiently Pruning Peaches and Pears

Patiently Pruning Peaches and Pears

My gardening chore today was to prune my peach and pear trees. In my mind it was urgent because the peach trees are in full bloom and already starting to leaf out. I really wanted to get them pruned while I could see the limbs and the structure of the tree. We’ve been working on …

Clearing the Way for Spring

Clearing the Way for Spring

I love leaves and even wrote a tongue-in-cheek poem, “In Defense of Leaves,” about them last fall, but it’s time to make way for spring and the flowers I love so much. I don’t clean my gardens up in the fall, I wait until spring to clear away the leaves and other debris left from …

Spring Garden Surprise ~ A Bunny Tale

Spring Garden Surprise

Gardening is full of surprises. Many years ago while spring cleaning, I moved some debris within the chives and suddenly my eyes were focusing on some little pink things. My first thought was rats, but then I realized that I was looking at newborn cottontail rabbits. Carefully, I covered them back up, trying to leave …

Homegrown Salad ~ A Simple Pleasure

Homegrown Salads ~ A Simple Pleasure

I’m excited to be a part of a Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Collection giveaway! For details and to enter, scroll to the end of this article. There’s nothing like a homegrown salad! Picking fresh greens, plus other goodies, straight out of the garden and combining them into a healthy and beautiful dish is a simple …

5 Easy Ways to Brighten Winter Days

5 Easy Ways to Brighten Winter Days

I love having the four seasons to mark the passing of the year, to give variety in the weather and in my daily tasks. Each season brings its own joys and challenges, much like life itself. I have heard that there is a high rate of depression in the winter months, and I can understand why. …