“Looking for inspiration and relaxation? It’s all in your own backyard.”
Report From PIA – March 5
It was sunny in central Wisconsin today, but I understand that it was snowing at Poison Ivy Acres. Throughout the country, be the skies clear or cloudy, we are all itching for spring. Yes, we want to go out without coats, see bulbs in bloom and prepare for summer gardens. [...]
Report From PIA – February 28
I was going through some photos today and came across one taken in Pat Dyke’s garden. On the side of her flower garden she’d placed the chair, pictured below. When I saw her garden for the first time, it made me smile, and the picture continues to delight me today.
Here [...]
Report From PIA – February 26
I walked The Dog about 6:30 this morning, and when we got down to the lake, I saw that the ice had disappeared. “Rapid progress is possible,” I thought. A message, from Spring to me.
This reminded me of the time in the 1980’s when I was in a spiritual study [...]
You’re Invited!
What: A Garden Party
Where: In Your Own Backyard
When: Whenever it’s pleasant to be outside.
Directions: Come into the garden… and bring your entire self.
Bring your talents and your disabilities. Bring your love of adventure.
Bring your preconceptions, and your readiness to let all such expectations go.
Come to your garden with willingness; you, in your totality.
Be willing to work. Be willing to [...]
Report From PIA – February 11
We gardeners are all about transformation. We believe we can take a patch of weed-filled earth (let’s face it – there is seldom bare soil) or a boring lawn, and turn it into a foliage and flower-filled delight. My husband and I, for example, turned the ordinary turf entry to [...]
Report From PIA – January 29
Yesterday I was writing about something we gardeners frequently repeat: right plant, right place. These four words sum up the wisdom of placing a plant in the conditions where it will thrive. Shade plants in the shade, those that like moisture in a wet location etc.
The phrase right plant, right [...]
Report From PIA – January 24
Today I helped my friend repot some houseplants. They were sent in a basket as a gift, and like most such dish gardens, the plants could never live for long in that configuration. This type of collection is usually in a container that doesn’t have any drainage, with the plants [...]
Report From PIA – January 12
I’ve been having an email conversation with Lois se Vries, another garden writer who is interested in cultivating a meaningful life, beginning in the garden. I’m pleased to hear about her blog, and wish her well…the more of us that write and speak about whole life gardening, the more people [...]
Report From PIA – January 10
Today I did two things that I don’t do often enough. I went to church, and took my dog for a walk at a local dog haunt. At the Barnstable Unitarian Sunday services, Kristen Harper gave a thoughtful and moving sermon about the New Year. Later, when I was walking [...]
Report From PIA – January 9
I received two emails that came together in my garden today. The first, from my friend Marcia, said, “I know that you’re very busy (from your blog) so I insist on a very brief answer, only at your convenience.”
When I got this note I thought, “If everyone blogged every day, [...]
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