Author Archives: carolee
Top 10 Performer #5: Rudbeckia
It was a close call between #5 and #6 because both are essential, but rudbeckia finally won the debate because it is SO much easier to grow. Here in my Zone 5 gardens, rudbeckia is usually a perennial, sometimes a … Continue reading
Fighting the Winter Blues
It’s late January and we’ve had over a week without sunshine. The past two days we’ve had snow. Yesterday everything was shut down for a “Big Winter Storm” with 6-10″ predicted. Schools, businesses and roads were closed….. We got 1 … Continue reading
Top Ten Performers: #4 Celosia
Let’s talk about Celosia, often called the “brain flower” because of its convoluted round heads. My first encounter with celosia was when I was a little girl. Grandma Miller always had a big garden, even after they moved to town … Continue reading
Top Ten Performer # 3: Agastaches
This one may surprise a few people! Some may not even recognize the scientific name “agastache” and only know a member of this family by its common name, “Anise Hyssop.” I started growing this plant way back in the late … Continue reading
Corm Comparison: Ranunculus
It’s time here in Zone 5 to pre-sprout the ranunculus corms. The first batch was soaked and planted in a flat, placed in the dark corner of the basement where it’s cool and will be ignored for at least a … Continue reading
Top Ten Performers: #2 Lisianthus
I fell in love with lisianthus the first time I saw them! Amazing colors and forms draw the eye, and so very romantic. Many people at quick glance assume they are roses, and they do resemble roses before they fully … Continue reading
Top 10 Performers in 2022: #1…ZINNIAS!
Today begins a series of posts about the flowers that I found most useful for bouquets during the 2022 growing season. They will appear in the order in which I felt they were most important, which is why I’m beginning … Continue reading
Yes, I’m still growing food!
With most of my focus on growing flowers for the “Growing Kindness Project” in 2022, and plans to expand it a bit this year, many people have asked if I’m planning to grow any food. That was my main focus … Continue reading
Before the Tree comes Down
Before the tree comes down on January 6, I enjoy spending time looking at the ornaments and remembering their significance. Some people have a color-coordinated tree, or use new ornaments each year, but our tree ornaments each have a special … Continue reading
For Good Luck
Just a reminder that old lore says that eating a mince pie each of the twelve days of Christmas will bring one good luck each month of the coming year. I guess I’d better bake more today because all of … Continue reading
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