Gardens Among Us

I know lots of people who live in northern New Jersey who have never been to see the Statue of Liberty. I also know people who live in western New York State who have never visited Niagara Falls. Chances are […]

Antique Garden Flowers

During the last few years, garden antiques-urns, statues, even paving material-have been hotter than the center of the compost heap. People pay extra for authentic rust, and unscrupulous individuals have even ransacked cemeteries for the weatherbeaten cherubs and urns that […]

Gardening at the End of Summer

I admit it. I have a hard time saying goodbye to summer, even when the signs of its passing are painfully obvious. In early September when the fall bulbs first appear in the stores, it is easy to ignore those […]

Black Eyed Susan – Weedy biennial of North America

Reference books tend to damn the common Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) with faint praise. “A weedy biennial of North America,” says one, disdainfully. “Probably the most common of all American wildflowers” says another. Just about the best thing that most […]

Digging Up Tree Roots – Major Endeavors

After much thought, I have decided that working on small projects may give you instant gratification, but working on big projects gives you life itself. I can say this with absolute certainty because at the moment I am working on […]

Crazy for Catalpas

     I have a weakness for plants with heart-shaped leaves. I love common violets—the low-growing kind that fastidious lawn fanatics hate to see in the grass. In the spring I glory in the heart-shaped leaves and heart-stopping fragrance of lilac […]

How to Build a Koi Pond in Your Backyard

A Koi pond is one of the best ways to create a tranquil space in your backyard. Once built, you will want to spend hours watching the fish swim. Thankfully, installing the Koi pond shouldn’t be a difficult task, allowing […]

How to Plant Trees

A well placed tree, creates shade, adds privacy and compliments the house and yard increasing, the value of the property. A poorly placed specimen, one that is too big for the yard, or too close to the house, will detract […]