

ELDERBERRY
One of my favorite garden plants is elder or elderberry -- not to be confused with boxelder ( Acer negundo ) or groundelder/goutweed (...
Jun 1


Tulip Tree, BAD CHOICE FOR THE small YARD
NOTE: I am having trouble staying connected to the editor function on WIX which affected my ability to build the essay this month. I...
May 1


Let's Get Something Straight
PROLOGUE: Since related to the main topic, I will here again note that perennial is one of the most misused terms in gardening, and the...
Apr 1


Gardening Injuries - OUCH or worse!
PROLOGUE: I do this blog to encourage people to garden, to help avoid problems as well as to provide better results. A commercial-free...
Mar 1


GARDENING AS WE GET OLDER
[Oops, I went long again, but I think you will find it interesting. There is more "essence of The Mad Botanist" in this edition, i.e., I...
Feb 1


CATALPA
I have often seen and heard catalpa referred to as a trash species, to be avoided. I disagree! Catalpa speciosa (northern catalpa) is...
Jan 1


GARDEN ENGINEERING
Forewarning -- I done went and wrote too much, again :) Oh well, consider it a winter solstice gift. While I love plants, there can be...
Dec 1, 2024


LANDSCAPE DESIGN & MAINTENANCE by government
The subject this month has been on my mind for years -- I am finally getting around to covering it. Related, I am not certain whether my...
Nov 1, 2024


Frost/Freeze, Weather and Gardening
Transitioning from winter to spring and summer to fall are the two times we expect to experience frost/freeze and the corresponding...
Oct 1, 2024


SQUIRRELS
If I were to say squirrel, you might think you know precisely what I am referring to, but I suspect you are wrong. My friend John...
Sep 1, 2024