Thoughtful musings on various topics by interesting people at Blithewold
Finding other outlets for gardening energy
I’m not sure what I would do without a real break from gardening. As much as I dream all winter of hightailing it to the tropics, I depend on this dark, cold season for the … Read more.
Practicing the art of coziness
According to the recently released World Happiness Report, Denmark ranks as the happiest country on Earth and one of the reasons listed for that is the Danes’ collective regular practice of something called hygge (pronounced hyooga. … Read more.
Spruced for Sparkle
Gail, Betsy and I spent this short week getting ready for Christmas at Blithewold and the first evening of Sparkle coming up this Friday. We made (that is, Betsy made) gorgeous terrariums, and put together … Read more.
To Arnold Arboretum
I am ashamed to admit that before yesterday I had never set foot inside Arnold Arboretum. Crazy. Good thing for me we came up with a couple excellent excuses for a day trip. The first … Read more.
Ahead of schedule
I don’t want to crow in case any of you are feeling swamped – either by the end of the garden’s season or in anticipation of the holidays – but as Gail would say, “we’re … Read more.
“A Rich Spot of Earth”
Until yesterday I had no idea that Thomas Jefferson was the first American to grow rutabaga. According to Peter Hatch, recently retired director of Monticello’s gardens and grounds, author of “A Rich Spot of Earth”: … Read more.
Bulb planting challenges
The great thing about tulips is that no matter what, they make us happy when they bloom. Even if they’re planted in a jellybean mix of reds, pinks, and yellows. — Maybe especially then because … Read more.
Keepers
Temperatures dipped into the 30s last night but if only it would frost we’d feel justified in having taken the gardens apart this week. The Rose Garden might have the hardest to let go of, … Read more.
Heavy lifting
Physical labor was one of the first things that drew me to gardening. — Back when I was 18 and restless from so much sitting in school and studying. (Do most people take up jogging … Read more.
Grand finale
This weekend is the gardens’ final huzzah and I can hardly believe it. The season went by so quickly and it’s quite possible that the gardens have never been prettier than they are right this … Read more.