Recently, I watched Garden Story, an older show from PBS.  One segment was about Anne Spencer, an African-American poet who was part of the Harlem Renaissance although she lived and gardened in Lynchburg, VA.  Her story was very poignant, and she loved gardening.  Her husband built a garden for her behind their house, and in it he placed a small building where she could write enclosed by her flowers.  It reminded me so much of Debra Prinzing's book, Stylish Sheds and Elegant Hideaways: Big Ideas for Small Backyard Destinations and the movie, A Room with a View.  That need for a quiet place to ponder the next word or action is something for which we all yearn. I'm not a poet, but her poetry, with its images of the garden, touched me.  I especially loved this piece written for her dear friend and mentor, James Weldon Johnson, who was tragically...

What creative souls read my blog, and just like the two bulbs, above, you are resilient. That's what I think when I read your comments.  I am humbled that you stop by and visit, leaving your thoughts like tasty crumbs of the best carrot cake.  From all of the comments for the seed and book giveaway, I believe the next generation is in good and caring hands.  I was overwhelmed by the response, so I resorted to the random number generator.  It chose No. 36 which means Jennie from Daftly Smitten won the seeds and the book, but I want you to know I read every comment.  Thank you for entering. Congratulations Jennie! Although she was picked by random, I wanted you to read what she wrote: "Kids love pizza. Telling them that they can “grow their own pizza toppings” can be a great introduction to gardening, especially since tomatoes,...

When I stopped by Brenda's Cozy Little House, she was in the middle of a cloche party, hosted by Marty of A Stroll Thru Life.  It was simply so much fun that I knew I must join them and their friends. Some of these girls are amazingly creative, but I've discovered almost anything under glass looks good.  Why don't you give it a try? I didn't take photos of all of my terrariums, but you can still go back and see those.  Here are two more which found their way into my heart and home. Don't forget.  The Botanical Interests seed and family gardening book contest is over tomorrow night at Midnight CST.  If you know anyone who would like to garden with their children or any other children, please send them on over.  The more the merrier. This morning, we had a tiny shower, and for a moment, it...

This year, I swore no indoor seed growing.  Here's why: I really don't have a place for them except the basement (where I'll forget to water). The seedlings get leggy from not enough light (although I use full spectrum, grow lights); and quite frankly, I don't wanna. After placing orders for those seeds I can direct sow (outdoors), I gathered up the  catalog multitude for recycling. Totally Tomatoes landed in a basket, and a small, lonely sigh escaped from within its depths.  I tried to ignore it, but then a tabbed page fell open to my deep, dark paramours. Smitten by their charcoal beauty, I began leafing through their descriptions. Carbon, Black Krim, Black from Tula, Japanese Black Truffle  or Trifele (new to me), Paul Robeson ((named after the African-American concert singer and activist) and Black Brandywine (more disease resistant in my garden than the original). Deep, rich, dark taste. ...