Author Archives: dirtynailz

HerbDoc’s amaryllis is blooming now. Better late than never! Every year or two someone who knows my love for all growing things gives me an amaryllis bulb for Christmas.  This year one came advertised are pure white, but when the … Continue reading →

First, let me assure you that I have no intention of shutting down our blog. I have just been thinking about what it takes to produce interesting material on a regular basis, and how lately, it seems that so many … Continue reading →

I stopped by a big box store the other day, because I’d been told they had recently received a shipment of interesting orchids. I was disappointed to see that many of them were phalaenopsis from the “Just Add Ice” people. … Continue reading →

It was last November that I ruminated on the various predictions for this winter’s weather. In my unrelenting quest for fairness, I looked at everything from scientific models to wooly bear caterpillars. So far, our winter here in the northeast … Continue reading →

I was perusing my latest “Fine Gardening” magazine (April 2011) when I came across a blurb on black petunias. Developed by the Ball Horticultural Company, (who brought us the “Wave” petunias) the  three varieties of black petunias are “Pinstripe” “Black … Continue reading →

In a previous post, I wrote about my new worm bin and the the fun I had setting it up. Recently, I took another leap of faith and harvested my first castings. Harvesting requires the following: gloves (preferably several pairs … Continue reading →

Here’s one more thing to add to your list of “stuff to worry about:” I recently read a scary article in The New Yorker magazine about a fungus that is threatening the world’s bananas. You would think that  scientists would … Continue reading →

HerbDoc has a “turkey tale” to tell: (please forgive the alliteration) Several years ago I was delighted when a small flock of wild turkeys appeared on my wooded property.  Since we feed songbirds year round, the turkeys eventually found what … Continue reading →

For those of you who didn’t know, worm composting- aka vermicomposting – is hot, hot hot! Fearless trend-setter that I am, I took the plunge about three months ago and bought a worm bin and a bag of red wigglers. … Continue reading →

I try to go out with my camera after a big snowfall, especially when the sun comes out. The snow has a different quality here on the coast. Something about the light – or maybe the openness of the sky … Continue reading →