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?
The zones…they are a-changin’ (again)
Pick up any garden catalog and you’ll see a map of plant hardiness zones that are supposed to tell gardeners what they can and cannot reasonably expect to grow in their climate. The zones are based on an average of each year’s coldest recorded temperature for that specific area over a period of a few decades. Each zone represents a 10-degree block of temperatures on … Continue reading The zones…they are a-changin’ (again)
Plan a year of garden success
While the frigid cold of winter may have you dreaming of tropical locations, sandy beaches and fruity drinks with little umbrellas, one way to warm up is to brew yourself a nice cup of tea, coffee or hot cocoa and sit down with a few good garden catalogs. What good it can do your mood to dream of a beautiful garden or bountiful vegetable harvest … Continue reading Plan a year of garden success
Garden trend: Small Gardens are Big Business
If you have been to a garden center or home decor store lately, you’ve likely seen an increase in the popularity of small garden containers and plants. At garden centers, you’ll find small containers full of miniature plants. At home stores, you’ll find tiny pots with artificial succulents (though the real ones aren’t much harder to care for). It seems that small gardening is big … Continue reading Garden trend: Small Gardens are Big Business
Urban agriculture a growing trend
Honeybees by the hedges? Chickens by the carport? Goats in the garden? It might be more common than you think. One of the trends in gardening and agriculture I’ve seen over most of my six-year career as an extension agent has been the growth of people within the city interested in growing their own food. It turns out I’m not the only one who has … Continue reading Urban agriculture a growing trend
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
Garden Trend: Gardening with a Conscience
As we continue to look at trends in gardening, we see that there is a growing trend in approaching gardening in a more ethical, or conscientious, way. The intent is not just to reduce environmental impacts, but to garden for the benefit of both the land and the gardener (and those affected by the garden). It is a look at growing good food all the … Continue reading Garden Trend: Gardening with a Conscience
Hobbies other than gardening: origami
One of my goals for the new year is to spend more time on creative pursuits. One of those is origami. I also plan to spend some time on stained glass when it is warm enough to get into my workshop/shed. Here’s my latest project. It is called Five Intersecting Tetrahedra. I’m not sure if it was as relaxing as I think origami should be…more … Continue reading Hobbies other than gardening: origami
Gardeners trending younger, more diversified
I’ve heard for many years that many of the skills our parents and grandparents grew up with — such as gardening, canning and crocheting — are dying arts, since the younger generations aren’t interested in them. There would be little hope for our society when it loses its ability to feed and produce for itself. Fortunately, though, that no longer may be the case, especially … Continue reading Gardeners trending younger, more diversified
18 Things Everyone Should Start Making Time For Again
These go right along with a majority of my goals (not resolutions) for the new year. I think we all need to “take more time,” for lots of things – ourselves, others, our interests. Let 2015 be the year that you “make time.” Continue reading 18 Things Everyone Should Start Making Time For Again
BearlyGrowing 