I had to tiptoe and grasp, move slowly, carefully over treacherous ice. Every move counts. I do not want to die this way, not here, not yet please and thanks. But wouldn’t you know it at the back of the garden where the land is higher and the sun is brighter Way down low, hidden …
Small, but meaningful shifts are taking place in the garden. Over the weekend (April 13), I made my first, small leafy greens harvest of the season. It included: Radicchio, dandelion, stinging nettle, garlic, ‘Egyptian Walking’ onion, bloody dock, and strawberry leaves, as well as some chickweed, kale, and dandelion (including a flower) that are further …
Garden season is underway and a sudden burst in activity has prompted a frenzy of posts to my social media accounts. I’ve made several quick minute-long videos and thought I’d share some of them with you here. The first set of videos were shot impromptu from my kitchen counter and are quick little snapshots highlighting …
Over the weekend we made a day trip to Richters Herbs, so I could partake in my yearly bacchanalian overdose on herbs. This was our first time driving alone (rather than hitching a ride with friends) and I was pleased to find out that they are a dog-friendly business, allowing us to bring Molly inside …
For flower lovers, spring is the time to visit the woodlands here in Southern Ontario. This time when the forests are bright, just before the trees get their leaves is when you can see an abundance of wildflowers in bloom. Last weekend, we took a short trip just outside of the city to Rattlesnake Point …
Earlier today I was doing some writing on the book I hope to publish in the near future. One of the sections I was working on was about particularly aromatic plants and I got the sudden urge to invite readers via social media to share their favourite plant smell, whether from foliage, flower, or otherwise. …
Since last weekend we’ve been enjoying a sudden burst of spring here in Toronto. On Saturday Davin and I did a big walk about the city wearing winter jackets and sometimes even gloves, and on Sunday we were out cleaning up the garden in t-shirts! The warmth has held, which means that growth in the …
Spring is technically on the books, but here in the northeast there is a difference between what’s marked on the calendar and the state of things outside. These very early days of spring remind me of a spiral effect in that once the first signs of growth appear, the weather will keep circling back to …
Chalkboard illustration by Davin Risk. There’s a double meaning to this title and if you’re over 21 I suspect that you know exactly what I’m talking about. I’ve got aches and pains all over. I took advantage of the great weather this weekend to cross several items off of my April garden to-do list. I …
Just when I was at my lowest and had become fixed on the idea that we’d entered a terrible new Ice Age, spring finally made its move. Over this past weekend, the warmest parts of my zone 5b(ish) yard here in Toronto began to thaw and by Monday at least half of the garden was …
Two weeks ago I posted a series of desert wildflower images that I took in and around Joshua Tree, California with the promise of more. When I started working on this second set, I realized I have enough for three posts, so I am limiting this one to a specific spot in the Mojave rather …
I recently had the good fortune to visit the Mojave desert just after the area received a few days of much-needed springtime rain. The rain was followed by warm, springtime temperatures and sun, and you know what that means… FLOWERS!