Category: Virtual Garden

My prairie provides plenty of food all season long for pollinators. Monarchs and honeybees love the stiff goldenrod, which blossoms late summer through frost.

This past spring brought change to many people’s lives. The work we did brought awareness of the moment we were in, gave us focus, purpose, and something to be thankful for. “The Rising Sun Garden” has just begun, and to us symbolizes the hope that we all will see the sun rise again.

I enjoy planting landscape plants, as well as vegetable and fruit plants and trees. We have raised bed vegetable garden boxes, black and red raspberries, apple and pear trees, and a pumpkin patch for the grand kids to select their pumpkins.

I no longer “work” in my garden—instead I say, “I get to play!” A choice of words brings joy to moving plants, arranging new perennials, assisting butterflies to a shallow drink alongside phlox blooms, and showing young and young-at-heart friends the benefits of gardens. Relax, take time and be amazed by what is there!

Growing vegetables connects you to nature, gives you a sense of appreciation for the food you eat, and tastes delicious! Try new things, share with friends, and find joy in the dirt.

Leave the leaves and get your neighbors involved, too! Pull chicken wire into a circle and dump them for temporary compost bins. Composted leaves are black gold for your garden! Mow them twice if you cannot collect them. It’s fertilizer for your grass and no need to add chemicals to your lawn.

The cure for boredom is curiosity. There is no cure for curiosity. Welcome to the ‘other’ secret garden. Visitors welcome.

Make sure to plan and plant in at least one spot that you can see from indoors. Even better if you can enjoy it for a few minutes in your PJ’s with your morning coffee!

Gardening is the best thing to do during a pandemic! The sun was still shining, the plants were still blooming, and the pollinators were still busy. The sunshine and physical activity along with greeting neighborhood kids and pets while outside helped me still feel connected to my community.

Add annuals to your perennial beds. These zinnias will grow to be the showstoppers long after the astilbes are done.
Happy gardening!