ANOTHER YEAR AT THE FRIENDS PLANT SALE

Yesterday's Friends Plant Sale was a delightful experience, as usual. The weather was perfect for browsing the wide selections of herbs, flowers, and veggies, and we had a lot of fun choosing our garden lineup for the year. It seemed like the busiest season yet, but the event was incredibly well-organized, making the flow smooth and enjoyable. While the temptation to buy every plant was strong, I...

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DISCOVERING THE BEAUTY OF SPRINGTIME

Wild StrawberriesThere's just something magical about this time of year! Spring and Fall in Minnesota are my absolute favorites, and I'm currently riding that springtime high. Give me the crisp air and pumpkin spice of Fall, with those stunning colorful newly fallen leaves, any day. But springtime? It's like the world is hitting the reset button. Everything is bursting back to life, baby animals are...

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EXPLORING THE FEASIBILITY OF CULTIVATING COTTON IN MINNESOTA FOR SPINNING. WILL IT WORK?

While I was digging through a seed catalog last winter I unexpectedly stumbled upon seeds for growing cotton. The thought had never crossed my mind before, but the allure of cultivating such a unique crop ignited a spark of curiosity in me. After reading the growing requirements, I learned that cotton typically needs 60 degree or above temps to thrive and takes around 150 days to be ready for harvest....

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LEARNING ABOUT THE HEALING POWER OF NATURE

About 15 years ago, I had the pleasure of meeting Lise Wolff at her elderberry tincture making workshop. Lise, a local registered clinical herbalist, possesses a wealth of knowledge in medicinal plants. With a Master's degree in Science in Herbalism from the Scottish School of Herbal Medicine, her expertise has made her a valuable resource for people in Minnesota. Every time I join her for a plant...

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THE JOY OF TOO MUCH

 Every year, as the gardening seasons approaches, I find myself unable to resist the allure of planting seeds. What begins as a modest plan often spirals into an ambitious project. This year was no exception - I decided to plant abundantly, putting in about 14 seeds of each variety I chose. The gamble paid off better than expected; out of dozens of seeds sown, maybe only five didn't germinate....

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BEAUTIFUL CHICORY

Driving to my doctor's office today, I was delighted to spot a long, vibrant row of chicory flowers blooming alongside the road. Their delicate blue petals stood out agains the backdrop of lush greenery, a charming sight not far from her farm/clinic in Wisconsin. Chicory is undeniably beautiful, and I find myself captivated by its aesthetic allure. Although it's not a native plant to Minnesota, its...

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EMBRACING YOUR SURROUNDINGS: THE JOY OF LOVING WHERE YOU LIVE

Sixteen years ago my family and I made the decision to move into our current home in Apple Valley. At the time I didn't fully grasp the significance of that choice or how perfectly it aligned with my desires and needs. For years I had dreamt of living in northern Minnesota, longing for the tranquility and beauty of the landscapes I had envisioned. However, fate had other plans, and despite various...

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COME OUT AND SEE US THIS EARTH DAY WEEKEND

Maya and I will be at the Northfield Earth Day Celebration this Saturday April 27th from 12 noon until 4 pm selling our handmade soaps and knitted washcloths so if you are in town drop by and say hi, we'd love to see you. This is going to be a great eco friendly event with educational presentations and workshops.  Come out to make a birdhouse, seed balls, and a pollinator box....

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SPRING HAS SPRUNG, THE GRASS IS RIZ, I WONDER WHERE THE FLOWERS IS?

The flowers are coming 😊Spring and autumn uniquely embody the beauty of transition and renewal, and they are, without a doubt, my favorite times of year. Spring, in particular, is a season that feels like a gentle awakening. As the world shakes off the sleep of winter, vibrant colors emerge in a lively chorus of blossoms and fresh greenery. It's a profound reminder of the cycles of life, and during...

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LUFFA, LOOFAH, LUFA, LOFA, LUFA

Is there really a right way to spell luffa? 😂It seems like a simple question, but one glance at the various spellings can spark debate. Perhaps it's spelled "loofah" in one corner of the internet, while "luffa" garners its supporters in another. Whatever the spelling, there's no denying the versatility of this remarkable gourd. I learned this firsthand when I tried my hand at growing luffas a few...

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CONTAINER GARDENING: YES, PUMPKINS CAN THRIVE IN POTS

For the past few years, my quest to grow pumpkins on my deck has been nothing short of a comedy of errors. Initially, I tried my luck in the garden, dreaming of vibrant orange fruits adorning my space, but each time a wild critter - a mischievous squirrel or hungry bunny - would sneak in and devour my tender plants before they could even bear a single fruit. Frustrated, I switched to pot gardening,...

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A VISUAL DIARY OF MY BIRD WATCHING ADVENTURES

When I first got sick in 2018, the world around me felt heavy and daunting. Each day was marked by physical limitations, and the simplest tasks became monumental challenges. It was during this time that I rediscovered the simple joy of watching birds. Having always appreciated their beauty and grace, I never imagined the depth of solace they could provide. As I sat on my deck, unable to walk, I turned...

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PLANT FOR THE GARDEN - PRICKLY ASH

Prickly Ash, scientifically known as Zanthoxylum americium, is a fascinating native plant of Minnesota that holds a special place in both ecological and cultural spheres. This unique plant is often mistaken for the ash tree due to its name, but it actually belongs to the olive family. My first encounter with its distinctive berries was like stepping into a new world of flavors and sensations. My daughter's...

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LAWN BE GONE!

 In 2020 we removed a large portion of our front lawn and today we have just about 1/4 left to remove before it's all gone. We filled the empty space in with 90% native plants and have been very pleased with how it turned out. We aren't strangers to replacing non natives with natives. When we moved into our home nearly 16 years ago our entire backyard was buckthorn. It was an extension of...

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