

Bullshit is Better
Humans are so gullible--easy prey for marketers, as Edward Bernays (Freud's nephew and the Father of Propaganda) showed us starting in...
Oct 1, 2018


Roadside Guidance
I have always been drawn to thought-provoking statements and have a deep and abiding appreciation of the power of words. I especially enjoy perusing bumper stickers on the vehicles I encounter while out and about. This got me to thinking that in addition to my digital blog, these monthly rants, I could do something more to get people to think, and maybe act. My idea, which I call the word project, was to create a roadside sign on my property that passing travelers could s
Sep 1, 2018


Summer without Roses
Most of my rants are about humans and their actions, but not this month. Roses are one of the most high maintenance plants; lots of...
Aug 1, 2018


Endless Bummer
One of the most common shrubs at garden centers is Hydrangea macrophylla (Big Leaf Hydrangea), especially the Endless Summer series of...
Jul 1, 2018


Taking a Break
Sometimes you just have to get away. The activities in the garden in early summer are numerous. Hectic is a good descriptor. And...
Jun 1, 2018


Mulching & Black is Better, Not
The use of shredded wood mulch, while wide spread, is fairly recent in origin, and there is no natural equivalent to this covering of...
May 1, 2018


Marginally Zone Hardy
The main limiting climactic factor for potentially perennial plants in our gardens is whether or not the species is winter hardy (e.g.,...
Apr 1, 2018


Too Close to Home
TOO CLOSE TO HOME is the title for a TV drama by Tyler Perry, but it also describes many woody plants that are planted "too close" to...
Mar 1, 2018


IT Overwhelmed the Tree
One of the worst horticultural decisions a property owner can make is to plant wintercreeper (Euonymous fortunei) or to allow it to...
Feb 1, 2018


Truth in Advertising. Surprise!
Winter is the time many gardeners visit gardening websites and printed literature, especially catalogues. It is also the time to order...
Jan 1, 2018