Live in each season as it passes; breath air, drink the drink, taste the fruit and resign yourself to the influences of each. Let them be your only diet drink and botanical medicines.
– Henry David Thoreau
Week 19 we can engage the whole family in preparing flower and vegetable garden beds, sowing seeds, and nurturing young plants. This not only promotes healthy eating but also teaches kids about the natural world.
Bird watching is another excellent activity for this week. We can continue to spend time identifying and observing these feathered visitors arriving from the south, creating a checklist of the birds you spot. This can be both educational and relaxing, fostering a deeper connection with nature. Together, these activities encourage outdoor time, physical activity, and mindfulness, contributing to a healthier, happier family life.
Fall & Winter Gardening Guidance
Koi reproduction
Koi are egg-laying fish and can reproduce prolifically under the right conditions. A single spawning event can produce tens of thousands of eggs, though survival rates vary widely. Sexual maturity Koi typically reach…
Koi growth rates
For koi enthusiasts, watching a fish grow from a small fingerling into a magnificent, flowing creature is one of the most rewarding aspects of the hobby. But how do we really know how…
Rhubarb
Perennial. Delicious tart stalks for culinary delights. Planting rhubarb in my garden has been a rewarding choice for several reasons. This hardy perennial not only offers delicious, tart stalks for culinary delights but…
Important medicinal herbs for the home pharmacy
For centuries, long before modern medicine filled our cabinets with synthetic compounds, people turned to the natural world for healing. Today, a growing number of health-conscious individuals are rediscovering the profound value of…
Guide to safe use of herbs
A practical, reference to commonly used herbs, their safety considerations, and potential side effects. Herbs have been used for centuries across cultures as food, medicine, and ritual. Today, they remain a cornerstone of…
Windbreak and hedge plants
Windbreak and hedge plants are living barriers strategically planted to redirect wind, define boundaries, create privacy, and shelter homes, gardens, and livestock. Windbreaks typically consist of multiple staggered rows combining tall evergreen trees,…
Garden site
Growing spaces and outdoor living spaces A good garden begins with the site. Before choosing plants or buying materials, it helps to understand the space we have and how it will support the…
Shaping and placing garden beds
Garden beds should be shaped and placed to match both the land and the intended use of the garden. Their size and form affect appearance, efficiency, and plant health. Placement Place beds where…
Texture & form in flower arrangements
Create arrangements with genuine depth, complexity, and lasting interest. Texture and form represent two of the most powerful yet frequently overlooked design elements in flower arranging, capable of transforming a simple collection of…
Budget-friendly flower arrangements
Finding ways to make flower arrangements accessible everyday pleasures to abundantly enjoy with no guilt or financial stress. The perception that beautiful flower arrangements require substantial financial investment often prevents people from enjoying…
Photographing flower arrangements
Developing skills and practices to document, share, and preserve the beauty of flower arranging. Capturing beautiful photographs of your flower arrangements extends their impact and enjoyment far beyond their physical vase life, creating…
Seasonal flower arranging
Celebrating nature’s rhythms throughout the year. Arranging flowers by season is one of the most rewarding and increasingly popular approaches to floral design, connecting us to the natural rhythms of the year and…
Sustainable & eco-friendly flower arrangement practices
Sustainable and eco-friendly flower arranging practices encompass the growing collection of approaches, techniques, materials, and sourcing decisions that minimize environmental impact, reduce waste, support ecological health, and align floral design with broader values…
Flower arrangement styles
The most compelling arrangements emerge when we understand traditions. Flower arranging is a rich tradition that spans cultures and centuries, with each style reflecting the values, aesthetics, and philosophies of its origin. From…
Arranging flowers – using an urn
Elevating flower arranging from casual decoration to a serious design statement. The urn stands apart from other vessel types as the most architecturally significant and historically resonant container in flower arranging, bringing an…
Plants at Their Best
Iris
A radiant burst of spring purple or gold. Updated since November 1, 2023. Irises (Iris germanica) bring a radiant burst of spring purple or gold to my garden with their vibrant blooms and…
Tulip
I find planting tulips to be a joyful endeavor, bringing the anticipation of vibrant blooms. As bulbs are placed in the soil, there’s a sense of anticipation and renewal. Watching the first shoots…
Daffodil
Perennial bulbs. Daffodils bring joy with vibrant, trumpet-shaped blooms in spring. I love daffodils because they are easy to grow, they symbolize renewal and hope, and they add a bright splash of charm…
Plum
Perennial Fruit Tree. Elegant, Productive and Fragrant. Plum blossoms on my plum trees are harbingers of spring with their enchanting beauty and delicate fragrance. The ornamental appeal of these blossoms, ranging in hues…
Pear
Pears are fragrant hardy fruit trees with sweet, juicy fruit. In spring, pear blossoms grace my orchard with their delicate beauty, heralding the arrival of a new season. These blossoms, with their pristine…
Pothos
Easy to take care of vining houseplant. The pothos plant, also known as Epipremnum aureum, is a popular houseplant admired for its heart-shaped leaves and trailing vines. It’s easy to care for, making…
Spider Plant
Easy to care for houseplant with excellent air-purifying qualities. Spider plants, or Chlorophytum comosum, are popular houseplants known for their easy care and air-purifying qualities. They have long, arching leaves that are green…
Strawberry
A bite of sweetness like no other. Strawberries are a nice addition to any garden. These vibrant red berries are not only delicious but also packed with vitamins, antioxidants, and fiber. Growing strawberries…
Scented Geranium
Indoor garden plant, outdoor annual plant, or indoor-outdoor potted plant. Scented geraniums are a delightful addition to any garden or home due to their fragrant leaves and versatility. These plants are easy to…
Apple
Fragrant, productive fruit tree. In spring, apple blossoms herald the awakening of orchards and gardens with an exquisite display of nature’s elegance. Delicate and fragrant, these blossoms blanket the branches in hues of…
Dianthus
Perennial. Colorful, Fragrant, Cold-hardy, Compact, Long-blooming, Versatile, Ornamental. Dianthus, commonly known as “pinks” or “carnations,” are exquisite flowering plants that can elevate your garden’s charm. With a diverse range of hues including pink,…
Asparagus
Perennial vegetable. Asparagus, a perennial vegetable, is a valuable and delicious addition to any property. Known for its tender shoots, it offers a delectable harvest in spring. Rich in vitamins and minerals, asparagus…
Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.
Birding & Butterflies
Northern Cardinal
A cherished backyard songbird. Updated since 11/2/2023. The presence of cardinal birds in my yard brings fresh fun. Their vibrant red plumage, a burst of color against the green backdrop, provides me a sense…
White-breasted Nuthatch
Lively and bouncy tree creepers. The presence of nuthatches in my yard gets me to peering out the front window. These charismatic birds, with their distinctive upside-down climbing and head-first descents, inject a playful…
Bald Eagle
Bald Eagles mature to have a snowy white head and tail contrasted against a dark brown. Their commanding presence is an American symbol of strength and freedom. Spotting Bald Eagles in my neighborhood is…
Trumpeter Swan
The largest extant species of waterfowl. Seeing trumpeter swans in my neighborhood brings a sense of tranquility and wonder. Their majestic presence on ponds, gracefully gliding across the water, adds an elegant charm to…
Turkey
Wild turkeys are native to North America, commonly found in forests, grasslands, and open woodlands across the U.S. and southern Canada. These large birds, known for their fan-shaped tails and wattled necks, have iridescent…
Grackle
I love seeing Grackles in my yard and at my birdfeeder because their vibrant, iridescent feathers add a splash of mystic and energy to my garden. Their lively, social behavior brings a sense of…
Chipping Sparrow
Cheerful, agile, trilling, resilient, friendly, little sparrow. I enjoy seeing chipping sparrows at my bird feeders because they bring a bit of fun to my bird feeders. Their delicate, cheerful chirping is a delightful…
Brown Thrasher
These witty rust-colored birds add a sprinkle of spice to bird feeders. I enjoy seeing Brown Thrashers at my bird feeder. They bring yet more vibrant life and activity to my yard. Their skinny…
Baltimore Oriole
Vibrant, melodic, striking, migratory, agile, nectar-loving, tree-dwelling burst of life. I love seeing Baltimore Orioles in my yard. They bring that burst of vibrant color with their striking orange and black plumage. Their tell-tale…
Gray Squirrel
Acrobatic, adaptable, intelligent little seed hoarders. Gray squirrels, agile acrobats of the suburban landscape, frolic in my yard with a boldness that borders on audacity. Their fluffy tails twitch with curiosity as they dart…
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Striking, melodic, colorful, adaptable, migratory, sociable, graceful, arboreal, charismatic birds. The Rose-breasted Grosbeak, with its striking black and white plumage accented by a vibrant splash of rose-red, brings a burst of color and melody…
Sandhill Crane
The sounds of Sandhill Cranes evoke nature’s whimsy. Having sandhill cranes in my neighborhood fills me with profound joy. Their majestic presence adds a touch of wilderness to everyday life. Their distinctive calls echo…
Red-winged Blackbird
Harbingers of spring on the pond. Red-winged blackbirds at my birdfeeder evoke all the springtime vibes. Their glossy plumage, adorned with fiery red epaulets, ignites the senses. Their melodious distinct calls weave through the…
Ring-necked Pheasant
Colorful, adaptable, ground-foraging, game bird. The Ring-necked Pheasant, a strikingly colorful bird native to Asia, has become a captivating presence year-round in my Minnesota yard. With its iridescent plumage and distinct neck ring, this…
Downy Woodpecker
Lively and rhymical woodpecker. Downy Woodpeckers bring enchantment to my yard with their lively antics and distinctive black-and-white plumage. Their petite stature, just 6-7 inches in length, adds charm as they flit gracefully among…
Hairy Woodpecker
Flashy movements, climbers, with rhythmic slower drumming. The Hairy Woodpecker’s rhythmic drumming and distinctive black-and-white plumage bring a unique rhythm to my yard, transforming it to include natural wonder. Their diligent foraging, tapping resonantly…
American Goldfinch
Sunlit yellow plumage, delicate black wings, and sweet cheep-cheeps. The American Goldfinch’s vibrant presence at my thistle birdfeeder transforms my yard into a living canvas of radiant yellow and black. Their sunlit yellow plumage,…
Pileated Woodpecker
Commanding sized woodpecker with the regal red pointy cap. Seeing the large Pileated Woodpecker eating suet at my birdfeeder is a glimpse into the wild, a majestic presence that transcends the ordinary. Their striking…
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Charismatic bird, with striking zebra-like patterns and vibrant red crown. The occasional sighting of the neighborhood Red-bellied Woodpeckers at my bird feeder spices up my yard with their dynamic avian energy. These charismatic birds,…
White-throated Sparrow
Springy little whistler. The White-throated Sparrow at my bird feeder brings the music of nature to my front yard. Their distinctive ‘old Sam Peabody, Peabody, Peabody’ sweet-whistle song, reminiscent of clear whistling notes, creates…
Mallard Duck
Vibrant plumage and distinctive quacks. Getting to see Mallard ducks on my backyard pond helps transform the space into a more natural oasis. The graceful presence of these waterfowl, with their vibrant plumage and…
Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.
bloomhearty.com store
-
Pink Dahlias Hardcover Journal
$15.50 -
Personal Intell T-Shirt
Price range: $30.02 through $38.75 -
Botanical Glass Cutting Board
$21.95 -
Pink Floral Lace Hardcover Journal
$15.50 -
Bird Colors Hardcover Journal
$13.29
©2025 S. Mottet bloomhearty.com writing, creation, and design
Pingback: Around the Year – Weekly | Bloom Hearty