Yesterday as I did a brief walk around the new vegetable garden to check on the progress of the cabbage and onion seedlings and the strawberry bed, I felt as if I was being watched. I glanced up and saw a bluebird perched on top of one of the fence posts. He’s not the first bluebird I’ve seen this spring, but I suspect he’s the same gentleman who likes to sit and sing to us from the satellite dish. He also peeks in on me while I’m working, sometimes startling me by belting out a loud, robust trill from the roof top when I have the window open. We’ve seen this fellow and a female flying low over the cow manure pile, and I assume they’re snapping up some insects. They always return to the woods next to our property. I’m so hopeful that they have a nest there. Welcome, my friend. You are more than welcome in my garden.
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June Gardening Tips: Everything You Need to Do in Your Garden This Month
I’m sharing these June gardening tips for gardening zone 7B. However, you can easily adapt them to your gardening zone. June is one of those months that feels like there’s so much to do in the garden you don’t know where to start. Fortunately, nature gives you extra-long days and plenty of sunshine! Whether you…
Growing Ginger in the Home Garden
Growing ginger is fun. I was surprised to learn that I could grow ginger in Zone 7B, central Virginia. I attended a lecture by Ann Codrington of Nisani Farms several years ago. She discussed growing both ginger and turmeric. Her farm is in Maryland, but I discovered that both plants can be grown in both…
Companion Planting with Herbs: Your Secret Weapon for a Healthier, Happier Garden
Every summer, without fail, I plant basil at the end of the raised beds. These are the beds filled with Roma tomatoes, the ones we harvest by the bushel to make our salt-free organic tomato sauce. My tomatoes thrive. “Did you know that basil repels aphids?” an organic gardener friend mentioned to me casually one…
Growing vs. Wild Foraging Medicinal Herbs: My Perspective
Growing vs. wild foraging medicinal herbs is a real concern among newbie herbalists. The other day, I shared pictures of my herb seedlings (mallow, parsley, and savory) on Facebook. A nervous nellie immediately wrote, “I would be so AFRAID to do that! How can you know they are safe?” Well, first of all, parsley and…
Fantastic – what a cheery sight! Great news that there are a pair near you.