Coffee For Roses Home

A Garden Geek’s New Year’s Resolutions

  1. I will only purchase the seeds that I absolutely need. (Fortunately, seed catalogs arrive or are available online in early December, so I’ve already placed several orders before this resolution will take effect.)
  2. I won’t stop at the garden center “just to see what’s there.” (No worries about sticking to this one since I pretty much always need some more potting soil, fertilizer, or a few more annuals. These “must haves” will justify browsing the plants on a regular basis, right?)
  3. The perennial bed will be mulched before the end of May. (Maybe I should start this project next week before it snows…or, wait a minute, that has me thinking. Does the snow count as mulch?)
  4. I will clean all my tools promptly after each use. (Hold on…before moving ahead with this one too quickly, is it possible that all those layers of dirt are actually protecting the shovels at this point? Perhaps exposing the metal will, in fact, cause them to disintegrate. Something to seriously consider before taking rash actions.)
  5. All plant purchases will be placed into the ground or a container before more plants are purchased. (Yeah, right. We know this one is a non-starter.)
  6. I will joyfully plant and cultivate with abandon, respecting nature and with an attitude of awe and appreciation. (This one’s a sure thing…maybe I should have put this in for #1 through 5.)

    Wishing everyone a year of beauty, successful cultivations, and wonder.

    Wishing everyone a year of beauty, successful cultivations, and wonder.

Filling Veggie Main Dish Under 250 Calories

Filling Veggie Main Dish Under 250 Calories

My goal with this dish was to make a main dish that was filling and flavorful but low-fat and low-cal but as satisfying as meat. Mission accomplished. 4 large portobello mushroom caps 4 small zucchini squash 1 small can white/great northern beans 2 cloves garlic 1/3...

read more
A Gardener’s Dayenu

A Gardener’s Dayenu

Every spring I find myself singing Dayenu. When I am around the Passover table with the Gelb/Levine family and friends, this is one of my favorite songs...it’s no wonder that it stays with me for the entire season of rebirth. The translation of word Dayenu from Hebrew...

read more
Garden Maintenance

Garden Maintenance

When it comes to tips for maintaining gardens, the best one that I can offer is this: it doesn't have to be done all at one once. Whether you are weeding, raking, pruning, planting or anything else, don't think of it as all or nothing. Too often we look at our yards...

read more
I Love Magic Carpet Spirea

I Love Magic Carpet Spirea

Name: Spiraea japonica 'Walbuma' aka Magic Carpet Spirea Type of Plant: A colorful, low growing shrub that is tough, tough, tough. Hardy in zones 4-9, and growing best in full sun to part-sun. Why I love this: Truthfully, I almost can’t do a consultation without...

read more
How To Prune Blueberries

How To Prune Blueberries

Normally I prune Blueberries before they start to break dormancy. In the Northeast, this is usually in late March. This year, of course, there was over two feet of snow on the ground at that time so I only got out to prune my blueberries today, in mid-April. As...

read more
Cauliflower Flower “Steaks”

Cauliflower Flower “Steaks”

If you want a low-calorie dish that can go in any flavor or ethnic direction, look no further than the humble cauliflower. When you cut a whole cauliflower head into "steaks" that are about an inch thick, and roast them, they can be arranged into a flower shape and...

read more
‘Phenomenal’ and ‘Hidcote’ Lavender Compared

‘Phenomenal’ and ‘Hidcote’ Lavender Compared

Last year I planted several lavender plants, including three of the new variety, 'Phenomenal.' As I was cleaning in the fragrance garden last weekend I noticed the profound difference between the 'Phenomenal' plants and the others. See for yourself in this photo I...

read more
Conditions Required for Germination

Conditions Required for Germination

I was finally able to get some seeds started today. Since the snow lasted so long it's a late spring, but when we garden we learn to take things as they come, right? So today was my day to get some soil and seeds in small pot. This year I'm trying a new soil for seed...

read more

Follow Us

Newsletter Signup

Subscribe to Coffee For Roses

Order Cocktail Hour Garden

Order Coffee For Roses from Amazon

Coffee For Roses Book Cover
Don`t copy text!

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This