Common Ground – March 2024

“In March winter is holding back and spring is pulling forward.” J. Hersey Winter, it seems to me, has held back quite a lot this year. We haven’t had much extreme cold and periodic thaws have prevented any significant snow accumulation. There has been enough snow to protect perennials and… Continue reading

Common Ground – December 2023

“…. after summer evermore succeeds Barren winter, with his wrathful nipping cold.” Shakespeare Recently a visiting friend was surprised to see next year’s seed catalogues on my coffee table. They’ve been there for a couple of weeks now along with the highlighter pen. My friend asked if I was going… Continue reading

Common Ground – November 2023

“The gardener’s year is circular; November and December are the months that close the circle.” Bob Thomson, The New Victory Garden Haven’t we had the most wonderful fall ever? The leaves were particularly colourful this year and they seemed to last for weeks. It has also been a particularly warm… Continue reading

Common Ground – October 2023

“Ah, but a man’s reach should exceed his grasp, Or what’s a heaven for?” Robert Browning I’m guessing that we’re all tired of the word unprecedented. But this year’s growing season was unprecedented with its consistent (until recently) rainfall and lack of early frost. On the first day of October… Continue reading

Common Ground – July 2023

“Do what we can, summer will have its flies. If we walk in the woods, we must feed the mosquitoes.”                            Emerson My friend the Wind Chime Hater is convinced that the mosquitoes are bigger this year. I’m not sure that they’re bigger but there are certainly a lot of them…. Continue reading