You remember the song from Sesame Street, “It’s not Easy Being Green”! This past week put our gardens to the test.

Potted plants need to be watered daily when it is hot. I have a dozen tomato plants in large pots on my patio. … read more.

As I write this, we are remembering our loved ones and friends who have served to defend our country and those who sacrificed their lives for our freedom.

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky

The … read more.

Happy Spring – finally!  I am writing this column on Earth Day.  The theme of this Earth Day is “End Plastic Pollution!”  It is the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day.  We celebrated at our church service this morning with story and song.  I brought in … read more.

Welcome to spring.  March came in like a lion and he is still roaring.  After four storms, we will be very happy to say hello to April and hope for better days.

I have a patch of heather by my front door and it has been … read more.

I hope this finds you in good spirits and good health.  I have a short column this month.

If you plan to have a live Christmas tree, it is very important to have the stem with a fresh cut – no more than 6 hours old.  … read more.

Hope you have enjoyed the warm days so far into the fall.  I think the plants are confused, too!  We just received a much needed rainfall.  The rain will help trees and bushes survive better going into winter.

For December blooms, start paper white bulbs now.  … read more.

Hope all of you are enjoying the last of the summer flowers.  My fall asters are in full bloom – taller than ever from all the CO2 in the air.  My Korean mums are full of buds.  I have pink, rust and yellow.  My rose … read more.

I have good news to report on monarch butterflies.  Previously, I told you that I had about 40 milkweed plants in my old vegetable garden.  Now I have more monarchs than ever before.  The moms lay up to 500 eggs in a week and then … read more.

Hope you are able to stay cool.  I have been melting when I go outside to water.  If I can stress anything at this time, it is to keep watering.  Pots dry out overnight.

Deadhead perennials, roses and annuals to encourage continued blooming.  Clean birdbaths and change … read more.