2020 will go down as one of the most extraordinary years we’ve ever experienced. Between Covid and politics, wildfires and hurricanes, I don’t know about you, but I’ll be kicking up my heels and celebrating as we say bye-bye on December 31st. Along the way, I’ve learned some amazing life lessons I want to share …
Growing a Giving Garden is an opportunity to give to yourself, your family, and your community. Whether you’re new to gardening or you’ve been gardening for years, there’s never been a better time to embrace the idea of planting more food than you need to share with others in need. These are extraordinary times we’re …
As we move through this extraordinary time, it’s clear the world is changing and unclear what our lives will be like going forward. What we do know is that it’s going to be different from the way it was. Each of us will be adapting to our new normal, but we can only take it …
Read moreReimagining Adaptive Gardening: Your Life as a Garden
As grocery store shelves become more sparse due to unpredictable food supply being disrupted, gardening is going through a renaissance like we haven’t seen since World War II, when everyone was growing their own Victory Garden. The National Gardening Bureau has dubbed this time Victory Garden 2.0. Now it makes all the sense in the …
Read moreGrowing Hope and Growing Your Own Food With My Online Series
One of the best parts of my work as a garden writer and speaker is sharing with my audiences and community the exquisite beauty I encounter in the gardens I visit and in the gifts that gardening has to added to my life. Why is sharing the beauty of the garden one of my favorite …
Read moreHow About a Virtual Stroll Through Some Stunning Gardens?
1. Our bodies change. That’s life. When we realize we have limitations that stop us from doing what we want to do, we have to learn to “accept what is” first. Then, and only then, we can develop resiliency by looking for other ways to get it done. 2. You deserve a safe and comfortable …
Read moreThe Top 10 Adaptive Gardening Guidelines to Live By
If you like to use a watering can, in my experience as a garden rep for nearly thirty years, the only watering can to own is made by Haws, where they’ve been expertly crafted in England, since 1886. As I’ve aged and needed to adapt my gardening practices and tools, I learned that Haws watering …
Now! Start where you are. Think about what hurts you when you garden. Decide what chores have become increasingly difficult to do. Then take a hard look at your garden and plan for whatever the future may hold. Let’s face it, we are living in a stressful and complicated world. All the more reason to …
Read moreWhen Should You Start Thinking About Adaptive Gardening?
There’s nothing I relish more than saving time and energy. My friend Heidi feels exactly the same way. She loves to have blooming flowers year-round (we’re lucky that our mild climate allows this) in certain places and especially in front of the fountain she sculpted years ago. She came up with an idea I think …
Any vessel that can hold soil and has drainage will work as a re-purposed container. Look in your attic or your garage to find mementos you are not ready to let go of, but all it has been doing is gathering dust. Go to garage sales to find unique, interesting objects. Make sure they are …
Read moreRe-cycle, re-use and re-purpose your pre-loved things