Quality of life through connection with nature
Fall is definitely here, with the leaves beginning to change, and true to form, the asters are out. It’s always cheerful to see them in the fields and at the edge of woods. Today we were out for a walk and decided to follow a large flock of turkeys up into the woods, and these … Read more
Thistles are one of those plants you will always recognize once you’ve met it. Anyone who has ever accidentally run into one while wandering around outside will know to avoid getting pinched by it in the future. Many people look at it as a weed, but there are a lot of things going for the … Read more
It’s a bit strange to label a landscape as contemplative. We don’t tend to design for the garden itself to contemplate its place in the universe. (Don’t get me wrong. Plants may well spend their time contemplating profound issues. But people don’t usually consider that in their design plans.) It’s the people who inhabit the … Read more
Gardening has been part of our culture for millenia, and there’s always more to learn. This is the place to start if you’re new to gardening and want to learn how to start a new patch. If you want to dive a little deeper, subscribe to our email series: Gardening 101 Email Series – A … Read more
It seems to be pretty universal among gardeners – we all love checking out nursery catalogs. Most mail-order nurseries still send out paper catalogs if you request them, but the web versions can be a great source of information as you’re deciding which varieties to plant. These are five that I have found to be … Read more
We had a little drizzle in Carmel Valley this morning, which is not so common in September, especially in a year of serious drought. It got me to thinking, with all the implications of the drought, how plausible is it to raise an ornamental garden with little added water? It’s a challenge we deal with … Read more
I have heard ferns maligned in a surprising number of places lately, and I want to do my part to set the record straight. There seems to be a misconception that ferns are scraggly and awkward or difficult to grow. Allow me to argue the opposite. Ferns are no more difficult to grow than any … Read more
There’s a lot of romance to the idea of DIY. The rugged individualist is part of our national culture, part of how we see ourselves and our role in the universe. Not that everyone aspires to that goal, but it holds enough sway to merit an entire television network in its honor, plus countless books, … Read more
EcoGeek recently ran a post highlighting the correlation between income inequality and street tree inequality. The study in question was completed in 2007, and it’s certainly been true in my experience in cities that the fewer the street trees, the more marginal the neighborhood tends to be. I’ve heard all sorts of things about the … Read more
A friend recently asked me to take a look at the backyard of their rented urban home and help them screen a series of unsightly pipes and wires on the house as well as the conglomeration of waste bins and refuse in the adjoining yard. None of the property belongs to my friends, so actually … Read more