August was a beautiful month, while the garden was still full of new growth, we also began to see signs of the end of summer. Flower buds started to seed as fall air moves in. I wasn’t able to spend a ton of time enjoying the garden or doing yard work this August, but I was lucky enough to be out working one morning when this extraordinary creature paid a visit. [Read more…] about The Yard in August
Amethyst
Amethyst is one of the most stunning stones around, with varying shades of purple, this stone is truly royal. It is known as the stone of “sobriety” and can help ward off bad habits and addictions. This spiritual stone is one of the most popular of the quartz varieties. Beautiful purple Amethyst attracts positive energy and spiritual protection, it’s commonly used in meditation. It’s healing properties serve as a natural stress reliever, and can help eliminate anxiety and depression. This dreamy stone may help treat sleep disorders and insomnia. Sweet dreams…. [Read more…] about Amethyst
Growing Ginger at Home – Part 1
I’ve always been a big fan of Ginger, so we seem to always have some on hand at home. While we do use it a lot in our cooking or to make teas, sometimes the root sits on the counter a little too long. This month we have neglected our ginger root and instead of shriveling up, the root has been sprouting into what looks like a beautiful start to a plant. This will be the first time I have bothered to attempt to grow my own Ginger roots at home. [Read more…] about Growing Ginger at Home – Part 1
Phlox
There are 67 species of Phlox, a tall flowering plant mainly found in North America. These flowering plants can grow in a variety of habitats around the country, they have been known to appear in the Alpine Tundra, urban gardens, open woodland areas and prairies. Some of these perennial flowers bloom in spring, while other open up later into the summer and fall. The flowers each have five rounded petals that grow in dense clusters atop a tall stems up to 4 feet tall. Phlox come in a variety of colors including; pink, magenta, white, purple, violet, pale blue, or bright red. [Read more…] about Phlox
The Yard in July
July in Chicago is typically hot and humid mixed with a few good storms – that’s how this July went down. The yard has been at the peak of it’s growing season blooming full of flowers in every corner. Let’s take a look back and check out what’s been growing in my midwest urban garden this July. [Read more…] about The Yard in July
Garden Growth in Three Months
July, the third month of this years vegetable garden delivers the goods! We have been harvesting a ton of Cherry Tomatoes and Basil all month and in the second half we have seen an abundance of peppers rolling in. It’s been a hot one Wally, and the garden is definitely feeling the burn, but that hasn’t stopped it from continuing to blossom. Let’s check out how things have been going over the past month. [Read more…] about Garden Growth in Three Months
U-Pick Berries
It comes as no surprise, but I absolutely love picking berries! We went with a couple of friends down to Johnson’s Farm in Hobart, Indian a couple weeks ago and were quite please with the delicious selection of fruits and veggies available to pick. [Read more…] about U-Pick Berries
Chopping Down the Pencil Plant
Over the years my Pencil Cactus ‘Euphorbia tirucalli’ has grown rather tall, so tall that it barely fits in a single image. Instead of growing as a thick pencily bush, my plant has grown upwards in spurts creating a lanky tree over four feet tall. As the soaringly high limbs began to droop over, I knew it would only be a matter of time before this plant could no longer hold it’s own head up. The decision was made – it was time to chop it down and propagate some new Pencil Cactus plants. [Read more…] about Chopping Down the Pencil Plant