Name: Brassica oleracea 'Lacinato' aka Tuscan Kale Type of Plant: This vegetable is one of the easiest to grow and longest producing plants in the garden. Why I Love/Hate this plant: I picked kale from the garden this week, in mid-December. I’m frequently harvesting leaves...
There was just a dusting of snow on the ground when I went outside this morning, but that small change in the look of the landscape alerted me that stories were being told everywhere I looked. There were thousands...
Name: Kalanchoe daigremontiana aka mother of thousands Type of Plant: This is a succulent that is grown as a houseplant in cold climates. It’s native to Madagascar, and hardy in zones 9 through 13. Why I Love/Hate this plant: This plant is a study in...
Name: Abelmoschus esculentus aka red burgundy Okra Type of Plant: Okra comes from northern Africa, and this red version was developed at Clemson University and was introduced in 1983. It is a tall growing plant that is a member of the mallow family and...
Name: Rosmarinus officinalis, aka rosemary Type of Plant: One of the most useful herbs to grow. A hardy shrub or groundcover in zones 8 and above, and some varieties a marginally hardy (depending on the winter) plant in zone 7. This can be grown...
As I finished my sermon for Sunday at the UU Church of Barnstable, I was reminded of this post I wrote on Whole Life Gardening a few years ago. It's a long overdue thank you note. Dear Gardens, Yesterday I was reminded that sending you a note...
Name: Gaultheria procumbens aka wintergreen. Type of Plant: A low-growing, evergreen groundcover that is native to the Northeast. Why I Love/Hate this plant: This is an interesting plant. First of all, it’s useful at this time of year when many garden centers sell it as a...
Name: Fiddle Leaf Fig (Ficus lyrata) Type of Plant: A large growing houseplant that is quite trendy right now. Why is it popular? Because the foliage is impressive: large and dark green. This plant is native to western Africa where it grows in the tropical...
When a friend or acquaintance says, “Let’s set a date.” I write it down so I won’t be late. I dutifully type it in on the schedule, With workdays, engagements, and other essentials. But to me the purpose of this written agenda, Moves past doctor’s visits and lunches with Brenda, Or...
I usually feature plants that people in the Northeast can grow. But since I just returned from Italy, this tree is on my mind. Name: Olea europaea ‘Leccino’ aka the Leccino olive, the plant that makes the fruit that is used to make Italian olive oil Type...
