Tick Talk

The world of interior design is constantly evolving with new trends popping up frequently. However, there’s one trend that has gained popularity online recently that designers say has actually been around for quite a while—the “both/and” trend. 

A Love Affair with Texture, Stone and Water | Talk & Tour Moving to a new home with no garden, dry rocky soil and huge stone outcroppings was just the challenge this gardener was up for. Starting a new garden from scratch

When the cold weather hits, we crave the comfort of a toasty, warm space. But the warmth we’re talking about isn’t from stepping out of the icy wind. It’s the feeling you get when you’re enveloped by a welcoming space—an unmistakable but hard-to-put-your-finger-on sense of comfort.

Whether you’re hiking, picnicking, or working in your garden, ticks are a year-round risk in the South. These blood suckersfind a host by sensing odors, heat, vibrations, and shadows or by “questing” on the tips of grasses with their front legs extended—waiting for a person or animal to brush by them.

Early Spring Rhubarb breaking Through

Time is up

And that’s a wrap! The RHS Flower Show Tatton Park has closed its doors for another year. But what a whirlwind of a week it has been. From unveiling our first exhibition garden in over twenty years to being busy bees over at our stall, and even winning 3 awards for the design – it's safe to say that Tatton Flower Show 2023 was eventful.

FOR THOSE OF YOU IN THE AREA, meaning the Hudson Valley of New York State or thereabouts, these spring events here in the garden and elsewhere may be of interest: Saturday March 14, Spring Garden Day, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Rensselaer County. (518) 272-4210. This popular, day-long annual event in Troy, New York, includes a choice of classes, from growing orchids at home to successful vegetable gardening.

On Saturday, June 8, join me and Adam Wheeler of Broken Arrow Nursery in my garden for tours and a giant plant sale, and select from among an entire day of plant-themed offerings celebrating both herbs and flowers in nearby Hillsdale: herb cooking and flower arranging and growing.Plus, learn to be a better birder in a morning talk and guided walk/workshop, with Kathryn Schneider, past president of the NY State Ornithological Association and author of “Birding the Hudson Valley.” Don

WHAT A TREAT: THE TEAM AT APARTMENT THERAPY brought my recent appearance and slideshow at their New York City Meetup to life on their site, and even transcribed the fun interview that AT founder Maxwell Gillingham-Ryan did with me that night, to accompany my images. Might be a first; not sure I’ve ever been transcribed before.

The Tick Twister is just one brand of similar, inexpensive devices available at health-food stores or pet stores, and as the latter bit of information implies, it’s just as good for removing ticks from pets as from people. For about $4, it really beats gouging at yourself with sharp instruments. That’s what I did for years before I was given a twister (or actually a set of two, which is how they came packaged when I got mine) as a gift.Now I’m prepared for any size tick. The working end slips between your skin and the embedded tick, and the notch in the device allows you to grab the embedded tick securely. The key: don’t pull, but twist. Out comes the invader, embedded mouth parts and all. Voila! One last note: The latest model looks a lit

IT FEELS LIKE TOMATO-HARVEST SEASON here, what with 85 degrees dipping to a chilly 60 at night, but in fact we’re just coming up on tomato-sowing season (I do it April 15 here). Tricks for tomato sowing and growing, including what to do to prevent diseases this year, formed the topic for this week’s A Way to Garden radio podcast on Robin Hood Radio (WHDD-Sharon, Connecticut).