Common Ground – January 2025

“Now, by two-headed Janus…” Shakespeare The solstice is the beginning of winter but it’s also the start of longer days and our turning towards the light and faraway spring. January is named after the Roman god, Janus, who is represented as having two faces. One face looks forward to the… Continue reading

Common Ground – November 2024

“The gardener’s year is circular; November and December are the months that close the circle.”  Bob Thomson, The New Victory Garden The last few flowers of the fall season are still blooming in the bed beside the west wall of the house. Here there’s bright yellow Calendula that popped up… Continue reading

Common Ground – October 2024

“Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall.”              F. Scott Fitzgerald We haven’t had a lot of crispness yet as I write this towards the end of September. There were three or four cold nights when I wrapped up the hot peppers at night. But after… Continue reading

Common Ground – September 2024

“…Autumn hails anew…” John Banister Tabb My most surprising accomplishment in this year’s garden is that I have finally succeeded in growing sweet peas. Oh I have grown them before but they were always a bit straggly and never looked that happy. This year I planted them on the former… Continue reading

Common Ground – August 2024

“August’s harvest is rich…” Bob Thomson  The New Victory Garden Well let’s deal with first things first: in August a big issue for a lot of gardeners is what to do with all that zucchini. You could drive around and put it in your neighbours’ mailboxes or in any unlocked… Continue reading