letters from the wilderness
In my search for ways to have a vegetable garden while living with deer, I came across this 8 x 4 foot crop cage on Amazon for $72.99. I bought 3 to install them in a bed that I wasn't ready to work on this year. Last year, my husband cut down the oak tree... Continue Reading →
I continue to wrap my brain around the differences between gardening in southwest Virginia zone 7b versus suburban Philly zone 7b. Here in VA everything starts just a bit earlier, plus there is a hot, dry season during the summer that we didn't have up in PA. Unfortunately, my brain still operates on my Philly... Continue Reading →
For my second year of gardening here in VA, I decided to frugally grow my plants from seeds. This does mean an upfront investment in equipment which I expect we will use for many years. I found this greenhouse set up on Amazon. I started with 2 inside and recently purchased this one to harden... Continue Reading →
If you want to start an argument in a gardening group, ask people for deer solutions. And then step very, very, very far away from the computer. Given the highly visible aspect of our garden, the presence of deer, and my desire not to spend all my money on deer deterrent spray, I've been searching... Continue Reading →
This is a catch-up post from my fall gardening tour. When I share the current state of the yard, it will be interesting to see what worked last year, what's remaining in place, and how I plan to change some stuff. ----------- Every year, I think I'm prepared for the beginning of school and every... Continue Reading →
I think I sit too much during the day. True, I am home all day, and I do need to spend time on the computer. However, when I look over my day, I see how many times I'm sitting, especially if I choose to sit instead of working on a project. Hence, the sitting challenge:... Continue Reading →
Since it's been way too long, I'm catching up on my garden from this past summer, and then I'll move on to the changes we've made and plans for 2024. This area on the side of the house receives a fair amount of sun during the day. It also has the richest soil of all... Continue Reading →
Yesterday, I began roasting the pie pumpkins I had purchased for a Trunk or Treat on Halloween. I found mine at Lowe's for half price, $1.24 each. I'll be freezing my puree in bags, not canning it. To safely can pumpkin, a low-acid vegetable, I would need to use my pressure canner. I wasn't prepared... Continue Reading →
...and for now it seems as thoughyou are still summerstill the high familiarendless summeryet with a glintof bronze in the chill morningsand the late yellow petalsof the mullein flutteringon the stalks that leanover their brokenshadows across the cracked ground...To the Light of September by W. S. Merwin The kids, all the kids, except my oldest... Continue Reading →
My garden tour has been delayed by lots of time in the car this week. Time to catch up. Today, I'm sharing the area behind our house. With several oak trees in the bed and nearby, about half of the area remains shaded most of the day. The other half gets the afternoon sun. While... Continue Reading →
2 dogs and a house 