Balboa Park in Bloom: August, 2020 — South Park SD Blogger

If you’re like many people these days, you’re still partly sheltered-in-place, tired of streaming EVERYTHING and looking for something to do besides your essential job. And you’d really like to make up for those travel plans you cancelled. Why not tour the largest urban park in the United States without leaving your living room? Balboa […]

Balboa Park in Bloom: August, 2020 — South Park SD Blogger

One last alpine garden — nature has no boss

A few weeks ago we we lucky enough to take a hike along a ridge above tree-line once again filled with alpine wildflower. Most growing only inches tall yet the display of color was stunning. Carefully stepping from rock to rock to avoid smashing these fragile flowers that somehow thrive in a cold and windy […]

One last alpine garden — nature has no boss

Free Webinar: Botanical Supply Sustainability in the time of COVID Online — Crooked Bear Creek Organic Herbs

A conversation with Loren Israelsen, President, United Natural Products Alliance; Angela McElwee, President and CEO of Gaia Herbs; and Ajay Patel, Founder, and CEO of Verdure Sciences. The climate emergency and the decline of biodiversity make it abundantly clear that business, as usual, is no longer enough. The disruptions caused by COVID-19, challenging as they […]

Free Webinar: Botanical Supply Sustainability in the time of COVID Online — Crooked Bear Creek Organic Herbs

Frills, Fluff & Mid-summer Fancies

Nothing says ‘Hello August’ like day lilies. Despite my ongoing battle with the deer, I’ve managed to see a new crop of beautiful day lilies emerge from the warm summer soil.

Day lilies, astilbe, monarda and coneflowers, the hallmarks of mid-summer blooms.

The deer, squirrels and chipmunks have made sure I’ve seen few roses this season, but thankfully they’ve left a few mainstays to admire.

Soon September will bring an end to the abstract painting that is the 2020 garden. Best I get out and enjoy nature’s canvas while I can.

Hot & Humid Won’t Slow Us Down!

It’s been blazing hot and incredibly humid in central Ontario over the last few weeks, and the days head don’t indicate that a cool-down is coming any time soon. Despite the heat, the garden is looking great with strong showing from the usual seasonal suspects – mini roses, daylilies, astilbe, coneflowers and various assorted containers brimming with petunias, marigolds, dahlias and other annuals. The deer are giving me a run for my green thumb though, time will only tell who will win this battle.