For many gardeners, the end of the gardening season is bittersweet. It’s hard to say goodbye to all your carefully-tended plant friends. On the other hand, there is plenty of good about this seasonal transition. In Kodiak, it means vibrant colors, the start of northern lights viewing, and silver salmon fishing. One more thing… Autumn […]
When we turn the calendar page from August to September, it’s easy to fall into thinking that gardening is all but over. Nothing could be further from the truth. In the fall, harvesting is part of
Given a choice between celebrating the Winter Solstice or the New Year, the solstice would win, hands down. More significant to me is the return of light. And if you’re like most people, dispelling darkness in the middle of winter is a real thing. I think back to a conversation with my dear friend, Jill
Today I’m celebrating! First, I’m feeling much better after my bout with COVID (thank you for asking). So good in fact,
What’s a summer garden without hiccups? Weeds double in height when your back is turned and since the baby crows have fledged, their parents dive-bomb
During these times of climate change and COVID, it’s easy to take life too seriously. Any excuse to laugh feels like mountain-fresh air. Take last week when I’d lost all sense of taste and
It began as a tingling, prickly feeling in my fingers and toes as if they were going to sleep. “Wow, this is weird,” I thought.
On a recent Saturday, when the sun popped out from the gray, shredded clouds, I was standing in the greenhouse admiring the yellow marigolds. Looking more like tennis balls than flowers, marigolds
When the weatherman predicts that the sun will come out, my camera often stays in. Why? Bright sunny days are great for picnics, hiking, and putzing in the garden. But they’re not so great for
“It’s been said that gardens and children need the same things — patience, love, and someone who will never give up on them.” [Nicolette Sowder] As a child, I spent many happy hours outdoors. I climbed trees, built stick forts in the woods behind our house, and harvested “wild” clay
You’d think that riding your bike across the country would be a trip riddled with trials, tribulations, and fears. Things like running out of water, fierce headwinds, hail, diarrhea
I was walking home along a gravel road, houses on the left side, and a steep embankment on the right. Heavy with rain, the salmonberry bushes and young mountain ash trees arched over the roadbed like miniature lampposts
Q: How to get rid of chickweed? A: Don’t try to beat it, EAT IT! On most Tuesdays, I teach an online class called the Compost Academy. Students, mostly women, from Alabama to Australia, meet in lively Zoom meetings. It’s not just about composting either, especially on Fridays, which have become “let’s stump Marion” Q&A
If you compost, you might find this question interesting. If you don’t compost, I’ll be upfront: You and your garden are missing out. Big time. Anyway, here’s the
Last week’s span of warm, clear days found island gardeners scrambling outside, perched on bended knee pulling weeds, transplanting seedlings, and slaying slugs. It was a flurry of activity that reminded me of a children’s story
What can be better than the smell of cinnamon and a bowl of hot fruit topped with just the right amount of crunch?
With the return of sunshine, comes the return of dandelions, raising their yellow heads above your lush, green lawn. Against all odds, this is my annual plea to NOT