“A garden is a beautiful book, writ by the finger of God; every flower and every leaf is a letter. You have only to learn them—and he is a poor dunce that cannot, if he will, do that—to learn them and to join them, and then to go on reading and reading, and you will find yourself carried away from the earth to the skies by the beautiful story you are going through.”
– Douglas Jerrold.
Week 22, focus on maintaining your garden by continuing to plant warm-season crops like tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers. Ensure consistent watering and mulch application to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Prune and deadhead flowering plants to encourage continuous blooms and healthy growth. Birding during this period is particularly rewarding, as many species are nesting and raising their young. Clean up bird feeders, birdbaths, and nesting boxes to attract more birds to your garden. Take time to observe their behaviors and enjoy their songs. This week offers a chance to reset your gardening and birding routines, reflect on your progress, and appreciate the beauty of nature. Embrace the tranquility and satisfaction that come with nurturing your outdoor space and connecting with the local wildlife.
Spring & summer gardening guidance
Hardy perennial food crops for shade
Not every corner of a garden gets full sun, and in wooded or partially shaded landscapes, that can feel like a limitation. But shade does not have to mean sacrifice. A surprising number…
Herb cultivation through history
In every age and in every land, the garden has been both pharmacy and prayer, a place where human hands and the earth’s own intelligence have met in quiet collaboration. Herbs have been…
Cat safe plants
Cats are natural explorers, and for most of them, that curiosity extends straight to our houseplants and herb garden. While many common plants pose a real danger to cats, there is a surprisingly…
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…
Assessing garden site conditions
Understanding your site before you plant is one of the most important steps in creating a successful garden. Every piece of land has its own personality, shaped by the direction it faces, the…
Site diagram of your house and grounds
A site diagram is one of the most practical tools a gardener can create. It does not need to be technically perfect — it needs to accurately represent your property and give you…
Green Bags for fresher greens, fruit and veggies
Updated since 2/17/2017. Greenbags are reusable and extend the life of greens, fruit, and vegetables. They can be purchased online relatively inexpensively. I bought a set of 20 in multiple sizes off Amazon…
Growing fresh herbs for cooking
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Plants at Their Best
Currant
Currants are one of the most rewarding small fruits you can grow in a northern garden. Hardy enough to handle brutal northern garden winters, productive enough to fill your kitchen with berries year…
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…
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…
Ornamental Allium
Alliums, commonly known as ornamental onions, are beautiful and unique flowering bulbs. Plant allium bulbs strategically for maximum impact. Choose sunny locations with well-drained soil, allowing their dramatic blooms to bask in full…
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…
Spinach
Spinach is a nutritious, versatile, cool-weather leafy green. Spinach is a nutritious, versatile leafy green that is easy to grow and packed with essential vitamins and minerals. It’s a great addition to any…
Basil
Power Annual Herb. Love this little green flavor booster! Basil is my favorite herb to grow because of its versatility and vibrant flavor. I have come to love its aromatic leaves and continue…
Sage
Perennial Herb. Flowering sage, known for its vibrant blossoms, adds aesthetic charm to gardens while maintaining its culinary and medicinal value. The delicate, tubular flowers come in various hues, including shades of purple,…
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,…
Weigela
Perennial. Flowering Shrub. Weigela, prized for its vibrant and trumpet-shaped flowers, is a stunning addition to my garden. With varieties showcasing hues from pink to deep red, Weigela brings a burst of color…
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 of natural beauty. Their…
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Squeaky tiny little sparkles of the sky. The presence of hummingbirds in my yard transforms the ordinary into an enchanting spectacle. These iridescent jewels of the sky, with wings that blur like magic, bring boundless joy. Their aerial…
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 energy into the trees…
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 an awe-inspiring experience that…
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 the landscape. In fields,…
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 feathers that shimmer in…
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 childish wonder and mischievous…
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 sound to hear in…
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 robin size, striking rusty…
Minnesota arboretum osprey nest live cam – watch nature’s wonders unfold
Minnesota Arboretum Osprey Nest Live Cam. Experience the awe of nature from the comfort of your home. Watch Ospreys build their nest, raise their young, and take flight through this Minnesota Arboretum Osprey nest live camera. Delight in…
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 melodious songs fill the…
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 among the trees, pausing…
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 to any yard lucky…
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 air, a tribute to…
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 bird adds a touch…
Wood Duck
Colorful, crested, iridescent, arboreal, elegant, wary, and distinctive duck. Observing Wood Ducks gracefully gliding on my pond is an enchanting experience. Their vibrant plumage, featuring iridescent greens, blues, and intricate patterns, adds a vivid splash to the natural…
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 branches. The rhythmic drumming…
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 on our tree trunks,…
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, delicate black wings, and…
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 crimson crests and vibrant…
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, with striking zebra-like patterns…
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