Editors' Musings
July 28, 2014
I love attending garden tours and shows. This past summer, I was entranced by an astronomy garden called “The Night Sky” at a garden show.
(See my last post with pictures from the Chelsea Flower Show.)
As soon as I saw “The Night Sky” garden, I couldn’t wait to share with Almanac readers. Some of you may recall our story, “Create an Astronomical Garden,” from The 2012 Old Farmer’s Almanac.
Not only might you all appreciate the stargazing theme, but I think many of us feel that the best gardens... more
June 1, 2014
I had the fortune of visiting the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in England—which is over one hundred years old—and brought back photos for your viewing pleasure.
On this page are just three of the large gardens from this show (in 2014 though I think the designs are timeless). Which do you like best?
Overall, I would say that I was surprised by the formality of the garden design—though most of the gardens seemed to soften the formality with soft “naturalistic” plantings to give a sense of balance.
1... more
October 3, 2012
I recently listened to a wonderful talk about black bears given by biologist Ben Kilham, who has spent more than a decade studying these fascinating creatures.
Black bears are a hot topic in my neck of the woods, as evidenced by the well-attended lecture hall that was standing-room-only by the time I arrived.
From Ben, we learned that:
Black bears have social hierarchies:
Momma bear may have daughters and granddaughters that share her territory for food and shelter, but they must obey... more
July 21, 2011
How’s your garden growing this year? Please share below! I asked this question last year and learned so much from our Almanac community. Here are my 2011 update and a few tips.
Despite the current heat wave (I feel for so many fellow gardeners!), my patch of New Hampshire had a nice, wet spring followed by more sun than we usually receive.
The weather gave my small, raised-bed garden (10 x 10 feet) a great start. I bought only a small bag of compost to mix into the soil and supplemented from... more
October 13, 2010
Late in the harvest, we often find some extra-large veggies. This morning, I finally pulled up a monster carrot that I’d been eyeing in my garden. (See pic below.)
Just for fun, I’ll pick a “winning” photo on November 30 and send the winner The 2011 Old Farmer’s Almanac and an All-Seasons Garden Guide on November 30, 2010.
Now … a short musing on carrots …
Last year was my first time growing carrots. All were stunted and grew “legs” because the rich soil was too heavy for them to push down.... more
September 6, 2010
As much as I love roasted Roma tomatoes, Tomato Tarte Tatin, which appeared in the August issue of Bon Appetit, has become my new second-favorite way to cook these plum-shaped fruits. This is a sweet, not savory, dish best enjoyed as dessert or a treat—not a vegetable side dish.
My homegrown tomatoes are smaller than the market variety (we had a dry summer) so I used more and my taste is not as sweet as the BA chef’s, so I adjusted the butter and sugar down by roughly a third. The original... more
July 16, 2010
There is something special about summer reading. Sitting back in the porch rocker with a glass of iced tea sweating on the table next to you…heaven!
Now imagine this– you are completely immersed in a book. You cannot put it down. You have totally unplugged yourself from the television, phone, and computer. You deprive yourself of sleep so you can read just one more chapter. And then you get to the last page. And you hate the ending!
I recently found myself in this situation. I wish I’d stopped... more
July 16, 2010
Through the summer, I have suet hanging on a hook on my deck next to the hummingbird feeder. I can see the feeders from my kitchen table and have enjoyed the best bird watching in years.
In addition to many hummingbirds, a downy woodpecker family has visited my deck every day. The mother and father have been taking such good care of the two babies (teenagers now). I have heard the hungry shrill screeches for food and seen mommy or daddy hurry to get some suet in their beaks to feed the starving... more
May 3, 2010
This past weekend, I hauled compost from the recycling center across the road. (I make my own but not enough for this space. It's best for pots.) I got four banana boxes from the supermarket and made, I think‚ 10 trips. Round trip was less than a mile and it was backbreaking work at 90+ degrees, but it enabled me to get some greens seeds in. One favorite is Cracoviensis, aka asparagus lettuce in some circles. The leaves grow in a swirl around a relatively thick stalk, which, to me, is the best... more
April 5, 2010
This week, I was musing about how much I've learned about gardening in the past year. If you're a beginner, perhaps some of the little things I've learned along the way will help you! If you're well beyond the beginner stage, I hope that you'll share some of your biggest lessons—perhaps with amusement, now that you're in a different place!
It's only my second year of gardening. Last year, I started my first organic vegetable garden. It was just a 9x9 raised bed with seven common veggies.
This... more
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Your Old Farmer’s Almanac editors occasionally share our reflections, advice, and musings—and welcome your comments!
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