Category: history

history

A 19th Century Garden Hero: Hero or villain today?

Every generation has its public scientific figures — the thinkers, tinkerers and discoverers. These days, the public face of science can be found in the likes of Neil deGrasse Tyson or Stephen Hawking, and we look back through the generations at great minds like Albert Einstein, Alan Turing and Isaac Asimov. We see innovation from modern-day tinkerers in programming that gives rise to new ways … Continue reading A 19th Century Garden Hero: Hero or villain today?

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Art of Manliness, history

7 Reasons to Become a Gentleman Gardener

This post was originally published as a guest post on The Art of Manliness on April 5, 2013.  It refers to warm weather, but it is never to early to start planning the garden.  With warm weather upon us and summer just around the corner, it’s time to think about gardening. “Gardening?” you say. Yes, gardening. If the mention of it has you thinking of … Continue reading 7 Reasons to Become a Gentleman Gardener

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Garden Myths, history, holidays, houseplants

Is your Christmas cactus an impostor?

A cactus, of all things, is one of those plants that have come to represent the holidays. But, my friends, it seems that there has been an insidious marketing campaign to confuse consumers. For the cactus you buy in the store labeled “Christmas cactus” is an impostor. It is, in fact, a Thanksgiving cactus. Now this wouldn’t be such a big deal, except that there … Continue reading Is your Christmas cactus an impostor?

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history, winter

TBT: Christmas trees (real ones) have tradition, lore

This article was originally published in the Charleston Gazette-Mail on Dec 8, 2013.   Perhaps the most widespread symbol of the celebration of the Christmas holidays is the Christmas tree. Storied with lore, both ancient and modern, the Christmas tree finds itself in homes, stores, offices, churches and public squares. How did an evergreen tree become the center of attention for a religious holiday? And … Continue reading TBT: Christmas trees (real ones) have tradition, lore

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Gazette-Mail, history

Happy National Poinsettia Day: There’s more than meets the eye in your Christmas poinsettia

The chill of early December gives way to winter cold. Mornings are filled with the sparkle and glint of the play of sunrise on frost. And many homes, shops and offices are bedecked with the finery of the holidays as the season of celebration approaches. More often than not, you’ll find poinsettias — hopefully real ones — among the decorations of the holiday. This plant … Continue reading Happy National Poinsettia Day: There’s more than meets the eye in your Christmas poinsettia

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history, landscape

Natural Christmas from old traditions

Turkey Day has come and gone, crowds have rushed out to buy more than they need or can afford, and traffic around shopping centers will be unbearable. It’s Christmas! It’s time to, in the words of Auntie Mame, “Haul out the holly.” I’ll be honest — when it comes to decorating for Christmas, I prefer a simpler, natural approach. I’m not a fan of giant … Continue reading Natural Christmas from old traditions

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food, Gazette-Mail, history

Local gardeners grow cranberries “the size of quarters”

Cranberry salad … cranberry sauce … cranberry relish … cranberry juice … cranberry cocktails — aah, the holidays are upon us. There are many ways to enjoy this tart native fruit during the holidays and the whole year-round that don’t include cutting off a slice from a jiggling cylinder of cranberry goo. You can even grow your own cranberries at home, no bog required! Vaccinium … Continue reading Local gardeners grow cranberries “the size of quarters”

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DIY, Gazette-Mail, history, perennial vegetable

Onions deserve a little respect

Let’s face it: When it comes to crops for the vegetable garden, onions are one of the least sexy things you can grow. Garlic, it seems, is the most vivacious and interesting member of the allium family. Nobody gets excited about the lowly onion like they do their heirloom tomatoes or half-runner beans. There aren’t boards on Pinterest dedicated to favorite onion recipes or pretty … Continue reading Onions deserve a little respect

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Gazette-Mail, history

Fairs are about improving produce

Every August, thousands of visitors descend upon the small, yet cool, town of Lewisburg for the State Fair of West Virginia (OK, technically the fair is in Fairlea, but close enough). Aromas of fair foods, sounds (and smells) of livestock, lights from the carnival and crowds of fairgoers fill the atmosphere. This scene also plays out in many counties across our great state in the … Continue reading Fairs are about improving produce

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