“This oak tree and I , we’re made of the same stuff.” Carl Sagan As part of the Pondering the Plants of the Winter Solstice, I am reposting this essay that I wrote in 2021. It is published here on my blog page and in the Plants and Poetry Journal anthology, Plant People: An AnthologyContinue reading “Oak”
Tag Archives: gardening
Holly
“Of all the trees that are in the wood, the holly bears the crown.” From The Holly and the Ivy , a song by Andrew Peterson If conifers represent the peace and beauty of the winter season, then holly heralds as the protector. It is the sanctioned species of plant in the time of lesseningContinue reading “Holly”
Pondering the Plants of the Winter Solstice
The pine stays green in winter…wisdom in hardship. Norman Douglas The time between the Fall Equinox and the Winter Solstice is my favorite time of the year. The days decrease in their duration of darkness until we celebrate the return of the Sun and the stretching of solar seconds, lengthening our lot of light. MyContinue reading “Pondering the Plants of the Winter Solstice”
Awaken
“Set your life on fire. Seek those who fan your flames” Rumi Most of my career has been spent in science and outdoor education. As an educational consultant, teacher, curriculum specialist, and program developer, I have had many incredible opportunities to design and execute a multitude of creative, science-based, experiential programs for a range ofContinue reading “Awaken”
Abscission
“When leaves have to let go of the tree, they wear their best colors and they dance all the way to the ground.” – Karen Kingsbury In the botanical context, abscission is the shedding of various plant parts, the dropping of leaves, fruit, flowers, or seeds. Senescence means “to grow old” and is theContinue reading “Abscission”
Starting from Seed: Designing Your Own Seed Packet Activity
Seeds are “nature’s suitcase.” They protect and nourish the plant embryo. They are adapted to dispersal by wind, water, animals and many germinate under unique conditions, like exposure to fire. People, like seeds, are unique in their appearance and growing instructions. This activity is one of my favorites I developed for my program. Any personContinue reading “Starting from Seed: Designing Your Own Seed Packet Activity”
Starting from Seed: Growing Intention from the Heart
“Be mindful of intention. Intention is the seed the creates our future.” Continue reading “Starting from Seed: Growing Intention from the Heart”
Starting from Seed: Soil Planting
“The soil is the great connector our lives, the source and destination of all.” – Wendell Berry In my last post, I discussed the benefits of growing plants from seed hydroponically and suggested some activities for those of you who may be home and educating children through this global pandemic, or just looking for anContinue reading “Starting from Seed: Soil Planting”
Starting from Seed: Hydroponics
“No water, no life. No blue, no green.” – Sylvia Earle As we move into the outdoor growing season, many of us are waiting impatiently to plant our annual flowers and vegetables. Although the days are warming up, it is important to be mindful of the time frame for the last frost in your location,Continue reading “Starting from Seed: Hydroponics”