

Feb 1
GARDENING AS WE GET OLDER
[Oops, I went long again, but I think you will find it interesting. There is more "essence of The Mad Botanist" in this edition, i.e., I...


Jan 1
CATALPA
I have often seen and heard catalpa referred to as a trash species, to be avoided. I disagree! Catalpa speciosa (northern catalpa) is...


Dec 1, 2024
GARDEN ENGINEERING
Forewarning -- I done went and wrote too much, again :) Oh well, consider it a winter solstice gift. While I love plants, there can be...


Nov 1, 2024
LANDSCAPE DESIGN & MAINTENANCE by government
The subject this month has been on my mind for years -- I am finally getting around to covering it. Related, I am not certain whether my...


Sep 30, 2024
Frost/Freeze, Weather and Gardening
Transitioning from winter to spring and summer to fall are the two times we expect to experience frost/freeze and the corresponding...


Sep 1, 2024
SQUIRRELS
If I were to say squirrel, you might think you know precisely what I am referring to, but I suspect you are wrong. My friend John...


Jul 31, 2024
Crapemyrtle
One of my favorite plant genus names is Lagerstroemia . It belongs to crapemyrtle (i.e., created and assigned by humans, the plant...


Jun 30, 2024
RAISED BEDS
I am occasionally asked to give a presentation entitled Common Gardening Mistakes and Myths. One of the topics I cover is raised beds....


May 31, 2024
HOSTAS - Naveling, Fragrance & Descaping
Hostas are one of the most purchased and utilized ornamental plants and it is easy to see why. There is great variation, they are easy to...


Apr 30, 2024
MARVELOUS MARTAGONS
I will preface my essay with a reminder that two broods of periodical cicadas (one a 13-year species, the other a 17-year species) will...