One of my favorite flavors to cook with is leeks. They have a unique and interesting mild onion taste and are part of the allium family that also includes onions, garlic, shallots, scallions and chives. Last year, I found I had wild leeks (ramps) on our WI property and have really enjoyed finding, harvesting and cooking with them (see Spring Leeks (aka … Continue reading Leeks!
Happy New Year 2018!
Happy New Year! I hope this post finds you healthy and happy. I've been on a bit of a hiatus with my writing, but hopefully the new year will get me back on track. While I was still attentive to my garden all fall, I do most of my writing in the evenings and I got … Continue reading Happy New Year 2018!
So Much Planting to Do!
When I looked at the pile of fall bulbs and garlic waiting to be planted, I had to wonder what I was thinking when I ordered it all. This year I decided to plant a little more garlic, mostly because I wanted to try a couple of new varieties. I've been planting garlic the last few years … Continue reading So Much Planting to Do!
Lime in the Planter?
I went out to water the front planters the other day and there was dirt and plants all over the front stoop, and a big hole dug in the the tall planter. Then I saw what looked like a lime in the center of the planter. Now maybe that wouldn't be so weird, except this is … Continue reading Lime in the Planter?
First Too Much Water, Now Not Nearly Enough
First we had an unusually wet spring, and now we're in a drought situation here in Chicago and many other locations. What does that mean going into the winter? Nothing good, that's for sure. So what to do? Keep watering each week as long as possible until your plants go dormant. Ideally, all trees, shrubs … Continue reading First Too Much Water, Now Not Nearly Enough
Cheerful and Bright Zinnia Bed
Last year, my friend Susan described to me how she grows a beautiful hedgerow of zinnias every year by collecting the seed heads in the fall (Fall Seed Gathering Means Beautiful Summer Zinnias). I thought I'd give it a try this spring, so I collected all the zinnia heads from my garden last fall. I … Continue reading Cheerful and Bright Zinnia Bed
Ruby-throated Hummingbird Playtime
While I haven't been seeing many Ruby-throated Hummingbirds this year at home, I did have a pair spend the summer at our cabin in Wisconsin. When we were there last time, it was clear that we now had a very noisy family of five hummingbirds. I had no idea they "chipped" so much. This juvenile … Continue reading Ruby-throated Hummingbird Playtime
“Cardinal Vulture”
I'm sure most of us have seen a turkey vulture, that dark soaring bird with a featherless head. Well, I have a new vulture to add! I was startled earlier this summer by a red bird right outside the family room window that I had not seen before. I saw a spectacular new red bird … Continue reading “Cardinal Vulture”
Where Are the Hummingbirds?
I started wondering this earlier this summer around the same time a friend asked me how long it takes to get Ruby-throated hummingbirds to come to a new feeder. While it does usually take a while to get them to find a new feeder, her question made me realize that it seemed like I was … Continue reading Where Are the Hummingbirds?
July Vegetables
My spring vegetables really took a beating from the rabbits and the weather. Even though I had shored up the rabbit fence around the yard, all it took was a couple of holes and I had a nice happy family of rabbits devouring almost everything I planted. Radishes, swiss chard, spinach, lettuce, kale, beets and … Continue reading July Vegetables