Where did this summer go? Tomorrow is September 1 – really? The kids are back in school, days are shorter, and plants are dying back. Simultaneously, some are so full they resemble children in the back seat of a car trying to claim their own space, “he’s touching me”. I fondly remember those days. So … Read more
If you go to South Park on a Tuesday afternoon you’ll find volunteers working in a demonstration garden who can answer your questions about flowers that do well in our area – even with deer; who knew. These folks are members of the Penn State Master Gardeners of Allegheny County and they are testing these … Read more
I have been going to the farmers’ market since I was a small child, as long as I can remember. I get so excited every time pulling into the parking lot. I love the smells, seeing the new purveyors, reassured when I see the old standbys, waiting for the horn to blow, and most of … Read more
After weeks of rain, rain, rain, we finally had a week filled with sunshine. I wonder if people who don’t have rainy day after rainy day can fully appreciate the feeling of warmth and happiness of the sun shining on their face. Hmm, I wonder; I know I can. Anyway, I loved all that sunshine this … Read more
This week I saw a garden that highlights creativity, determination, and most of all, frugality. We learn about these characteristics our entire lives, but we don’t always follow through unless we really want something badly enough and we’re willing to show up and do the work. These folks showed up. They were able to plant … Read more
I had so much fun visiting the Osborne Elementary gARTen. Osborne’s principal, Barbara Mellet and her associate, Erin Dierker, were so enthusiastic about this project it made me want to pick up a shovel and dig. Osborne’s gARTen is a collaborative working garden that provides food for an annual pizza party, smoothie day, and enough greens … Read more
I recently reconnected with someone whom I consider to have been my angel at a time when I really needed one. Have you ever known that special person who when you’re in a tough place doesn’t say, “let me know if there’s anything I can do”? They just seem to know what that is and … Read more
I have been working on a project, a book titled The Joymaker Garden, and I have been having a hard time staying on task. It’s a very personal project (more info on that later) and maybe that’s why it’s so difficult, but I needed to find a vehicle to help me to stay motivated and focused. I’m … Read more
Gardens need to be tended and fed to grow and be healthy; just like us. If we leave them too long without caring for them, weeds pop up – pretty quickly, and BOOM, all those pretty flowers don’t have the space to bloom. They get choked out or they go dormant. The same happens with … Read more