Tomato season is in high gear at Little Cedar. You know we're calling our property Little Cedar, right? That's because my sister-in-law, Maria, said our garden reminded her of Big Cedar Lodge when she visited us in spring, and she dubbed our garden "Little Cedar." We loved the name so much it stuck. In fact, Bill had a sign made for my little she shed out back. We go to Big Cedar almost every year so this name means a lot to us. 'Honey Drop' tomato from Hudson Valley Seed Co. is the best and sweetest cherry tomato I've ever eaten. I started this one from seed and have been eating them for a month. These are much sweeter than my former favorite, 'Sungold.' But, back to tomato season in my Oklahoma hills, and what a tomato season it is. 'Whopper' tomatoes in the green. Good eating coming soon. I...

Hillwood, Marjorie Merriweather Post's estate, in Washington, D.C. opened its doors for the Garden Bloggers' flingers on our first morning of tours. Hillwood reminded me of numerous other estate gardens I've visited over the years. It's kept in about the same condition and style as it was when Post still lived there from the mid-1950s to 1973. Post wanted her last home to be a museum, and, after some wrangling, it eventually happened. Post was an heiress, socialite, and philanthropist who inherited the Postum cereal fortune from her father. She began running the company at the age of twenty-seven after her father's death. Post collected Russian and French art, jewelry, and furniture. You can view some of her jewelry, including a pair of Marie Antoinette's earrings, at the Smithsonian. She is also known for overseeing construction of Mar-a-Lago, now owned by President Donald Trump. Her Imperial Russian collection, established while her third husband,...

Tour gardens are pageant girls. And, yes, I could have used contestants in the headline, but that wouldn't be alliteration would it? So, don't take the girl thing personally. I know they are women, not girls, and I'm not hating on pageants either.

While shopping at box stores and garden nurseries, I often see old friends and meet new ones, usually over plants. In fact, it's one of my favorite ways to meet people. At parties, when new friends learn I'm a garden writer, they seem to feel the need to apologize for their garden or lack of plant-growing expertise. Deck with plants, chairs and rug. It's a cozy outdoor space where we relax in the evenings. No garden variety apologies are needed. I don't expect everyone to garden like I do. Really, I don't. What I do is labor-intensive, obsessive and hard. Also, the garden--and my plant knowledge--grew over the years. I know I'm nuts. I do hope you'll garden though. You don't have to plow up the back forty or plant an acre of tomatoes, peppers, and squash either. Even tending one pot on your deck or porch is gardening. Hemerocallis 'Ever Redeemed'...