Landing Ideas, Tips & Guides

We’re in the midst of a revolution! It’s been 20 years in the making, but all of a sudden we’re fundamentally rethinking how we garden. And this could not be more evident than at the garden shows I’ve attended this year. Each and every one of them was dominated by show gardens designed in wilder ways than the exhibits of the past 100 years. Instead of sleek paving, multi stem birches and wall-to-wall Oudolf-esque perennial swathes, we are greeted with a whole new aesthetic. And it is quite unlike anything we’ve seen before. These wild or wildlife focused gardens are packed with native plants, diverse habitats and a whole load of upcycled materials.

The row on the left has succumbed to bacterial wilt. In the row on the right are grafted plants that had bacterial wilt resistance.

The Russia-Ukraine grain deal that has been critical to keeping global food prices stable and preventing famine is currently in tatters. On July 17, 2023, Russia said it was pulling out of the year-old deal, which allowed shipments of grains and other foodstuffs to travel past the Russian naval blockade in the Black Sea. And to make matters worse, over the next two days Russia bombed the Ukrainian grain port of Odesa, destroying over 60,000 tons of grain.

BHG / Mira Norian

Airborne fungal spores land on buds to infest newly-emerging leaves in spring. The fungus feeds on the young leaves and affects their development so that they become distorted. The smaller leaf size makes them less efficient at making food for the plant and in its weakened state, the flowers and fruit fall off. Trees may recover sufficiently to make a second flush of growth and these leaves are usually unaffected by the fungus. Fungus survives on fallen leaves and branches to re-infect next season’s buds.

Being a farmer can split opinions with the relentless job, physical challenges, and uncertain futures. Farmers have been known to grow food, becoming self-sufficient, and benefiting themselves and others with their toiling workload. But what if you looked at the positives? What if you realized the potential of growing your food and becoming entirely self-sufficient?

My daily commute to Sumter is a joy. Although I’m wary of logging trucks during the daytime and deer and wild hogs at dusk, mostly I am free to enjoy the fields and woodlands I pass. Calhoun County, my home, has rich farm lands that produce beautiful fields of cotton; so much that farmers are often still picking in December. As those fields lose their bounty, another plant that appears to be covered with cotton stands ready to become the showiest feature in the landscape.

Gardeners may think of white mold mainly as a disease on snap bean, cabbage, and other spring vegetables. In mild, rainy winters like 2019-2020, however, white mold is already active. The fungus can be found on winter annuals like stock (Matthiola incana), snapdragon, diascia, delphinium, and calendula. Perennials that haven’t frozen back, like chrysanthemum, may also have symptoms.

Every spring, all over in South Carolina, we see yards, abandoned lots, natural areas, roadsides, and, in some cases, forests filled with white flowers. These first white flowers of the year are nearly all from the Callery pear tree (Pyrus calleryana). This tree is native to China, and while they may look the same, many of the trees planted in yards, around businesses, and in other managed landscapes across South Carolina are cultivars of P. calleryana. One of the most common cultivars is the Bradford pear. For more information on Bradford pears, see HGIC 1006, Bradford Pear. Bradford pears, by themselves, cannot produce viable seed. But, if pollen from a different flowering pear cultivar (or a wild Callery pear) pollinates a Bradford pear flower, then viable seed can be produced. The fruit are often eaten by birds, and birds doing what birds do (hint: they poop), spread the seeds across the land. When these new plants grow, they’re now Callery pears, the wild relative of Bradford and other cultivated varieties of Pyrus calleryana.

Springs and seeps are more than just a nuisance wet spot in the landscape; they’re considered types of wetlands and are an expression of groundwater flowing upward and surfacing on land. Sometimes springs and seeps flow after a deluge of rain while others, like popular springs in Florida, continuously produce large quantities of water year-round. Springs emanate (originate) from a single point in the landscape and have a defined channel, whereas seeps have more diffuse distribution across wider areas. Whether surface water becomes a spring or a seep depends on how much pressure is underground. Higher pressures will result in springs, whereas low pressure will likely produce seeps. While seeps may not be as diverse as springs when it comes to flora and fauna, they may harbor unique plants and animals not found in springs. When springs and seeps are located in sunny areas, both can be quite productive with a variety of aquatic plants, invertebrates, and amphibians. For plant enthusiasts, seeps can support a diverse array of carnivorous plants. Seeps and springs are also beneficial because they provide water to headwater streams, ultimately providing the water flow to create larger river systems. They’re also essential during the cold winter months because their movement often keeps water from freezing. This serves as a refuge or drinking water source for wildlife.

Zack Snipes reports, “We got some needed rain, but we got a lot of it in a short amount of time. Winter peas and spring-planted brassicas are looking good. Tomato and squash are in the ground on some farms, but because of the cooler weather and soil temperatures, they haven’t really taken off yet. I see a lot of brassica fields leftover from the fall. These fields are harboring all of our insects and diseases that we will have to fight this coming season. Mow these fields down and turn them under. Do not leave them. I am seeing lots and lots of diamondback moths and black rot in these leftover fields. Some more sad news this week from the Lowcountry as Mr. Adair McKoy, Sr. passed away this past week. Mr. McKoy was full of wisdom and had years and years of practical farming knowledge that he loved sharing with others. Never did I visit him when I didn’t learn something new. His love and care for the land was truly inspirational.”

Rob Last reports, “Fall cucurbit crops, including cantaloupes and watermelons, are ripening and approaching harvest. Disease pressure from powdery mildew and gummy stem blight has really increased significantly over the last week. Maintaining a tight spray program will be key to managing diseases. As we look forward to strawberry planting, the land is being prepared. If you plan to fumigate, ensure the plant back interval between fumigation application and planting is maintained. A good test can be to plant some lettuce seed in the treated area. When lettuce germinates, the risk of damage from fumigation is reduced. Finally, on any remaining fall plantings, consider using a labeled pre-emergent herbicide to help with weed management. Once the crop and weeds emerge, options are drastically reduced.

Plan a Visit to the Fort Hill Plantation on the Clemson University Campus, Home of John C. and Floride Bonneau Colhoun Calhoun and later Thomas Green and Anna Maria Calhoun Clemson.

Do you want to start farming but don’t know where to start? Would you like to grow vegetable crops to sell at a local farmer’s market? Would you like to develop a farming side hustle? The Food Crop Horticulture Team at Clemson Extension has been hard at work the past few months developing an online course designed to educate the beginner farmer on the foundational management practices that will help them in their farming journey. The online class, Farming Foundations is free and consists of fourteen learning modules. Each learning module consists of videos, presentations, and resources that aim to provide the basics to beginning a farm. Each module takes approximately one hour to complete and includes concepts such as soils, fertility, land preparation, irrigation, and many more. The class has a strong focus on vegetable production. Participants have 120 days to complete the online course. In the class, participants have the option to participate in homework assignments. Homework assignments include:

Approximately 6% of South Carolina is covered by water, with 30,000 miles of rivers and streams carving through the state’s rolling hillside, pastoral farmland, historic cities, and saltmarsh-laced coastline. Maybe you are one of the lucky ones to have a view of one of South Carolina’s picturesque waterways from your porch or window. Whether you are a neighbor to a river, creek, stream, lake, or pond, there is one common practice that helps protect these valuable resources – riparian buffers.

Zack Snipes reports, “It finally feels like spring in the fields. The strawberry crop is really behind schedule this year. Most farms have plants with 3-4 crowns on them.  In most years, we have 5-8 crowns at this time. I blame the cool weather right after we planted them and then an unseasonably warm winter followed by two really cold events recently for them being so far behind. I am seeing an uptick in spider mite populations, so scout, scout, scout this week. This warm weather will have them active. Spring planted crops are germinating or being transplanted and have no issues so far.”

Zack Snipes reports, “It rained every day last week, and we ended up with over 8 inches. Field conditions are really soupy right now, and growers have had problems getting into some fields. Beware of plant diseases. With all the moisture we had last week, things could get ugly.”

Rob Last reports, “Fruit crops are all developing well with good fruit set and flowering. Strawberry crops are beginning to ripen, heralding a fresh taste of spring. Pests and disease remain low, and I would urge vigilance and continued monitoring for spider mites. If you haven’t already, protectant fungicide applications will be beneficial to counter gray mold and anthracnose fruit rots. Early peaches are in full flower with some early fruit set. Later varieties are beginning to flower. Land preparations for spring plantings are progressing well, given the dry weather and occasional showers. The first asparagus crops in the area are now being harvested with excellent quality.”

“Springtime is the land awakening. The March winds are the morning yawn” ~Lewis Grizzard~

Spring is here! All the signs are evident, including walking into caterpillars hanging from trees by slender threads (which happened to me last week). These danglers are often members of the Geometridae family, also known as inchworms or loopers. I love that their Latin name means “measures the earth.” The distinctive gait of these caterpillars makes it seem like they are taking their measuring duties very seriously. First, they deploy their front feet, and then, unlike other caterpillars with intermediate appendages, they pull forward their rear feet. This causes them to arch their bodies in that characteristic manner. Unsurprisingly, this onset of caterpillars coincides with the first flush of spring leaves, a buffet for these newly hatched critters.

The fourth annual Copake Falls Day—a hamlet in Columbia County, New York, that includes a substantial tract of Taconic State Park land, part of the New York State park system—includes a lineup of events from antique tractors and cars to an art show tours of the former Iron Works (this was an iron-ore mining town back in the day). Other local gardens will also be open for visiting. My contributions to the goings-on:Garden LectureTo register for my 8:30 AM slide lecture at Church of St. John in the Wilderness, follow this link. The topic: “Nonstop Plants: The 365-Day Garden,” on my four-season philosophy, favorite plants, and a history of the garden here. The $20 donation includes a $5 coupon redeemable toward a signed copy of my recent book, “And I Shall Have Some Peace There,” for those interested. Proceeds from tickets and book sales will benefit Friends of Taconic State Park, an important charitable group within my community and one close to my heart, since my garden is surrounded by park

IT’S A SIMPLE QUESTION: DO YOU LIKE TO MOW? Unless, of course, like me you have a love-hate thing going with mowing. I am always irritated that there’s mowing to be done.

AGIANT FLOCK OF REDPOLLS–BIRDS I NEVER SEE HERE–landed on the newly revealed patio outside my window, looking for nibbles in the cracks and crevices just hours after a little snow finally melted. Only hours after the white stuff gave way on the stones by the frogpond, out climbed three friends, looking no worse for the winter wear.

The Red-Spotted Newt starts his life in the water, hatched from one of 300-400 eggs his mother lays, becoming a tadpole-like larvae, gills and all. After several months he sheds them and becomes terrestrial, and is called an eft (the term for the red juvenile stage). This stage lasts a couple of years or up to seven, according to some references, before the next metamorphosis in the salamander’s life occurs and he once again changes colors…and habitats…returning to the water. Now I know why some of the salamanders swimming in my garden ponds are slightly different from others: some are tadpoles, some adults back from their years on land.  The University of Michigan says these creatures can live 12-15 years!Of course as with everything in nature, there are exceptions: populations that skip the red eft stage (in some coastal areas) and others that never undergo the second metamorphosis back into the water. I think my pals are cut from the classic mold, but I am not a scientist.In all this reading sinc

IWROTE A PIECE FOR TODAY’S ‘PARADE’ MAGAZINE about birds, and how many things these avian messengers have taught–and continue to teach–me. It’s a theme in my new memoir “And I Shall Have Some Peace There.” The birds that visit me are among the book’s leading characters, in fact.

Our “gardens” couldn’t be more different: Master gardener Dave Whitinger gardens and farms a 90-acre site near Tyler, Texas, with livestock and all, where summer drought is no stranger and the prime growing months are when my garden is dormant or heading in that direction. It’s like we garden in different worlds, but you know how it is with gardeners, no matter their Zone or plant palette: They’re more alike than different.On the important things about cultivating plants (including our beloved Kubota tractors–and yes, his is bigger than mine!) we’re kindred spirits–our list of favorite sources even matched up almost exactly. Dave has a strong commitment to land stewardship and soil care, as I do, though he sometimes thinks bigger (read: something called hugelkultur, oh my). He isn’t afraid of botanical Latin (me, neither–remember my Taxonomy Lite?) and loathes made-up genus names like “Superbena” and “Potunia” and such. Me, too!

IDON’T THINK THIS DOODLE by the inspirational and eccentric Andre Jordan needs much explanation, except perhaps to say that the only creature not in line for legumes like peas and beans here this year at my seasonal supermarket/vegetable garden has been Margaret. Sigh.

ANDREW KEYS, WHO CREATES THE “RADIO GARDEN” PODCAST for “Horticulture” magazine’s website, invited me to talk about my garden, my decision to finally leave the city and live in it, and what gardening means to me.

“The increase in our computing power today allows the research team to build into their algorithms things they knew were important factors in 1990, but couldn’t include,” said Catherine Woteki, Chief Scientist and Under Secretary for Research, Education and Economics for the USDA, in an interview yesterday. Factors such as elevation, the slope of land, or how close to a body of water a location is, can cause sharp variation despite close adjacencies.“Taking those into account now provides a lot more detail,” Woteki said, “and people will be able to see islands of heat, and also cool ones, on the new map. As a scientist and a home gardener, I love seeing this so much more clearly.” The new map is built using digital Geographic Information System technology and you’ll notice the sharper boundaries and better resolution right away when you visit its interactive website. To find out whether your zone has shifted, start here. Though I’ve always thought of myself as a Zone 5B, I’m now officially there, no longer in Zone

THIS SIMPLY MAKES ME HAPPY. Talk about up close and personal, huh? Thanks as ever to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology for letting us see such intimate views of the avian world. You may recall that the great blues like the occasional feast in my backyard frogponds, but I have a cure for that (or at least a semi-deterrent):

Susan Harris at Garden Rant: Susan wished me “woo-woo back atcha!” in her story about what I call the “shrub season” of my life, about obsessive plant phases we have known, and more. Enjoy!Gayla Trail of You Grow Girl: Gayla, with whom I’ve corresponded since I began blogging five years ago (she’s in her 13th year, an internet pioneer!), wrote her story mentioning my book in the form of a letter to me. She’s offering copies in a giveaway as well

THANKS TO THE EDITORS at Better Homes and Gardens for nominating this website as a Top 10 Gardening Blog. I am always grateful for the opportunity to have A Way to Garden seen by gardeners who may not know of it, and contests like this are one way that happens.

Yes, each female makes only one such mass; I have it on good authority fromCharley Eiseman, author of the field guide “Tracks and Sign of Insects and Other Invertebrates” and the most fun person ever to take a walk with. But I digress. Today’s topic:Guess I will soon be Aunty to a lot of little Sallys.Unlike frog eggs, masses of salamander eggs are encased in a big blob of extra protective Jello; each egg isn’t just covered in a small bead of it (something Charley taught me last year). For example, some wood frog eggs are shown just below for comparison to the salamand

Food security is a pressing issue of our time, and unfortunately, it is something that many communities lack. In both developed and developing nations, there is huge fragility in food systems, and both agriculture and food networks leave a lot to be desired.

It’s no secret that bathrooms are a hub for germs and bacteria in our homes, which is why we spend extra time and care ensuring that they are clean on a regular basis. But despite our best efforts, there are a few areas that are commonly overlooked, according to cleaning experts. Here are seven areas of your bathroom you’re probably forgetting to clean.

Nearly everyone has ajunk drawer. And while the synonymously messy drawer filled with junk like scraps of paper, pens, gum wrappers, bobby pins, and the random key or two is often the bane of frustration, it can be a necessity for storing miscellaneous items.