Pet peeves

There's a certain sound that signals Spring in my yard...well, actually, it's a buzz. The pieris off the front porch (also known as Japanese Andromeda), bursts forth with it's tiny bell-shaped blossoms (which look strikingly like lily-of-the-valley flowers), and the bees head to it in droves. I'm not kidding, so many bumbles stumble around it's branches, drunk on sweet nectar, it makes the whole tree hum. I call that pieris The Bee Tree.

Yesterday morning I walked the front yard accompanied by the strains of that continuous hum, and I too, made a bee line (couldn't resist the bad pun) to The Bee Tree to take a few shots. The photo above is a close-up of one industrious nectar-gatherer, though all the bees let me get within a few inches of them. When the pieres is in bud, little else matters to my tiny striped friends. We enjoy nature's bounty together.

That got me thinking about the other inhabitants of my yard. I've often joked that our little plot of land is like a wild kingdom, with all manner of untamed insect, amphibian, reptile and mammal eventually making its way inside my house, but the truth is, I enjoy them immensely when they are just where they need to be: outside my four walls.

I've always had an abiding affection and respect for animals, but I've seldom longed to own them--unlike my daughter who at one point or another has seriously checked into getting herself an assortment of critters that would rival Noah's ark. Among the candidates for her personal pet search: pot-bellied pig, lop-eared rabbit, hedgehog, de-skunked skunk, baby goat, angora cat, just about every type of dog breed, chicken (two of them, she would name Chick and Dick), hamster, exotic bird, guinea pig...you get the picture. And her quest DID land a few furry inhabitants within my home. I can now claim, or have claimed in the past, two miniature hamsters, three shih tzu pups, a lhaso apso, two domestic shorthair cats and that too-cute-to-pass-up lop-eared rabbit (okay, so I am not totally immune to the lure of pet ownership).

Here's the thing: I think that we humans just can't help our need to control things. Of course this can be a good thing. We guide our careers, pay our bills and keep our homes tidy, ensuring our world is not ruled by chaos. But we just can't help ourselves, can we? We have to be the masters of our--and everyone else's--fate. We take on pets because we truly do believe that we can do a better job than Mother Nature. And often we discover, too late, that we can't. That's why pythons are set into the U.S. woods to fend for themselves in unfamiliar territory, turtles and fish from other areas of the world are dropped into local waterways to decimate the natives, and shelters are full of unwanted animals of every size, shape, color and species. Conversely, animals that offer no value as pets are promptly sent away, sometimes violently. I've heard tales of squirrels, raccoons and bears being shot at with BB guns--and worse.

There's a better way. A simpler way. Share the world with animals rather than trying to own them. You wouldn't try to tame a flock of birds landing on your back deck, or a skunk snooping around your back yard stream. But you shouldn't try to chase them off, either. If we all switched up our thinking a bit, and realized that the natural world all around us is good enough to share its magnificence, what an honor for us to accept the gift.

We can do our part. Buy a few bird feeders and fill them up each week; create a pond for local creatures of all kinds to drink from and frolic in (and don't clear away all the algae since fish and tadpoles nourish themselves with it); adopt a stray cat or dog at the local shelter if you need a closer tie to the animal world than wildlife offers. And for goodness sake, don't chase away the opossum who just wants to get a drink from the puddle in your driveway, or the squirrel gathering nuts for the winter. Keep your trash cans secured in a covered shed or your garage to discourage the influx of raccoons or bears; don't squash the errant bee who happens to fly by. He's got important pollination activities on tap, and we reap the benefits of his hard work. Most of all, realize that the most important thing to control is your own frame of mind. Start small. Adopt a "citizen of the world" approach to pet ownership, sitting back (with your shelter pet by your side!) and enjoying nature's "pets". They all belong to you, and you belong to them.

As for my destiny, I hope one day to be through with cleaning cages and litter boxes, waking up at the crack of dawn to walk the dogs, and being able to book a vacation without worrying about who's going to watch all the pets--but I'll always fill the birdfeeder.

Gift yourself a garden

I'm not one for sayings. My husband will tell you it's because I always get them wrong. I do like this one: Never leave a stone unturned. It's a revved-up version of Where there's a will there's a way, but with a decidedly horticultural twist. After all, we gardeners have to turn over a lot of stones to get to the deep, rich soil underneath.

A friend recently asked my advice about planting a flowerbed along a barren side of her house. I asked her all the pertinent questions, like: How much sun does the spot get? What's the soil and drainage situation in that area? What amount of maintenance are you willing to do? Do you get a lot of critters in your yard? What colors do you like? After patiently answering all those questions and more, and then waiting for me to ponder for a bit, I made a number of plant suggestions. My friend politely thanked me...then decided to do nothing.

Okay, you could say it's my ego that was hurt. I went back to school for horticultural design. I came up with solutions to her multifaceted yard situation. Had it been another person--one who wasn't one of my dearest friends for more years than I'd like to recall--you may be correct. Fortunately our deeply forged friendship transcends such pettiness. But her reaction to my suggestions did make me curious about her life.

Divorcing a few years back and launching herself into a full-time job has been exciting for her--and exhausting. Her kids are amazing--and challenging at times, like all kids can be. She claimed to have neither the desire, spare cash nor know-how to transcend her outdoor spaces. She explained that she plans on selling her house in a few years, so why bother making it really nice now?

On a practical level her words make sense, but on a spiritual level, I find my soul clenching. To me, that's like saying, Why bother living life to the fullest since I'm only going to die eventually? Perhaps that was a bit dramatic, but look, we all know that we can't control what our boss will demand, what our kids will try to get away with or what the weather will be like on any particular day of our lives, but we can control what we get to surround ourselves with in our own personal spaces. That's where my favorite saying comes in: Never leave a stone unturned. If you want a nice yard, then demand it of yourself! Do what you must to surround yourself in beauty. Got a tight budget? Check out the net for plant exchanges and wholesalers. I found my favorite local grower on Craigslist, and he gives me a discount when I buy in bulk. Need some "lawn jewelry?" I snagged the wrought iron birdbath in the photo, above, for $14.98 at Pier 1. This retailer, like most others, puts just about every item in their store on sale at some point. Create a watch list of your most-desired items and swing by on a weekly or monthly basis to keep tabs on the items.

As we all know, this life isn't a dress rehearsal; it's the real deal and we're on center stage. Remember this: We get to write the storyline. And home is where our tale begins. I am writing an epic, flipping every pebble, stone and boulder in my way. Planting catmint, yarrow, roses and spruce trees with abandon. Decorating my yard with the same gusto that I showered on my living room walls, dining and sleeping spaces.

All the great thinkers through the ages have offered some form of the same advice: live in the present. Eat drink and be merry for tomorrow we die, right? Maudlin as that seems, the advice is sound. From the sages of the ancient past to modern-day thinkers like Eckhart Tolle and the late Joseph Murphy, the message is the same: Don't put off doing the things that you want to do now because you won't be rewarded in the future. The thrill of today's activity IS the reward. Think on that while you stroll through your garden today. And enjoy every minute of it.

Ice follies

Just when I started to think my garden had made it through another winter, Spring hit with a vengeance. Unlike our warmer-than-usual winter months, April ushered in snow, ice and bitter temperatures. These conditions become problematic during this time of year because the magnolia has already bloomed, the crocus have popped, and the hyacinth and daffodils are in full bloom. Now I have a spring garden sprawled out like roadkill in my yard.

So, what to do? Sadly, there's not too much we can do to make the floral flatliners do a Lazarus impression, and rise again. Fortunately the bulb plants are used to this kind of weather, so they won't completely die off. If there's still snow on the ground, it will act as an insulator and actually protect them. If not, don't panic. Realize that while the edges of the leaves may take a bit of a nip from the low temps, it shouldn't stop them from blooming--even if the growth habit is more horizontal than vertical.

Okay, the structure of the plants have been compromised, so what can we do to make flowerbeds look better? Time to implement a few botanical beauty tips. Back in the day, I was a beauty editor for a woman's magazine; every photo shoot had some sort of issue: models showing up with bags under their eyes, the stylist's clothing samples not fitting correctly, a photographer's backlight blowing out. I discovered then that any problem can be solved with a bit of manipulation. And just like those ill-fitting gowns that often needed pinning, you can prop up droopy daffodils with a few artfully placed stakes and some decorative edging. Just be careful not to spear the bulbs when you place the stakes in the ground. And remember, the bulbs themselves aren't damaged, so next year's crop still holds the promise of a glorious bloom!

The daffodils below are the same sad shoots from the photo above. These bolstered narcissus are much more apt to live up to the root of their name: narcissism, which means admiration of one's own attributes. Let these sunny yellow daffs show off a bit. We all enjoy a good performance!

Tomato time!

On this final day of March I thank Mother Nature for sparing us Northeasterners an early-Spring snowstorm! Now I can turn my thoughts to what's most important this time of year: planting. Intrepid gardener that I am, I already transplanted my hardiest plants--pansies, hyacinths and tulips--and now I must turn my attention to starting seedlings, namely tomatoes. For the earliest tomato crop in your neighborhood, start now.

I'm not suggesting you head outdoors just yet. No matter how many days have reached the unseasonably warm 70-degree mark this week, curb your enthusiasm. Weekend temperatures in upstate New York aren't forecasted to be warm; meteorologists report the mercury will struggle to get past the 40s. Yet plenty can be done inside. Below, the six steps to take now to accelerate your tomato harvest:

1. Choose a fast-maturing variety of tomato. Among the earliest growers: 'Orange Roma,' a sweet,
    fruity tomato, great for making sauce; 'Early Bush' cherry tomato, yields tomatoes 7-10 days before
    other varieties; 'Early Girl' hybrid which bears fruit a mere 50 days after planting.

2.  Select hot spots. Containers and raised beds warm up faster than soil in the rest of the garden. Be
     sure to start containers indoors, and place a cold frame over raised beds.

3.  Harden off plants. Before transplanting tender seedlings outdoors for good, let them sample the
     sunshine and wind for just a few hours a day.

4.  Keep young plants protected. Chilly temps and wind dry out plants. Place empty pots over
     vulnerable plants every evening until temperatures level off, becoming consistently in at least the
     60s.

5.  Hold off on the mulch. I know it looks neater, and cuts down on weeds, but thick mulch inhibits
     the soil from properly warming up, so wait a month before spreading a two-inch layer of straw
     around plants.

6.  Be supportive. I don't mean offering them words of encouragement to grow big and strong, though
     I suppose that can't hurt! It's vital to keep tomato plants growing upright and sturdy. Try cages,
     which support plants on all sides so there's no need to prune or tie stems. If space is an issue, try
     ladders, which offer strong support while encouraging the growth habit upward!

Appealing to the masses

It's not just the Northeast that experienced warmer-than-normal temperatures during the first quarter of 2016. Seems most of the United States was treated to mild climes this past winter, compliments of El Nino. I think of this weather pattern as Mother Nature's mischievous child, who, like his cohort, La Nina, likes to play tricks on us. Okay by me. I've enjoyed watching my crocus and daffodils pop from the soil weeks earlier than usual; it was delightful to see them peek out in February.

On a trip to Austin, Texas, last week I noticed the famous Texas Bluebonnets gracing every field, yard--even abandoned lots--with their heavenly blue hue. It was an opportune time to visit central Texas since the state's most popular wildflower will be just about gone at this time next month. My daughter was so enchanted by them that she sat herself down on the ground just to be in their midst (photo, above). It got me to thinking about planting in my own yard.

The massive appeal of looking over a field of blue sparked a desire in me to grab a shovel and a few dozen bags of bulbs, but for once I wasn't thinking about what to plant. I was thinking about how many bulbs I wanted to deposit into my garden. I realized at that moment that I'm often spouting the benefits or drawbacks of particular plants, but I seldom focus on the numbers. Yet the fact is this: more often than not, mass plantings have more impact on the eyes than single plantings.

There are exceptions. My neighbor has a beautiful specimen plant--a tree peony that I drool over every Spring. Designed around a garden of coniferous greens, it stands out magnificently. Yet I think a mass planting of tree peonies in the area would also wow every one of my senses.

There are drawbacks to mass planting. It can be expensive, especially if you want instant gratification, and have to buy full-fledged perennials in large quantities. And then there's the work involved. Planting dozens of flowers is a labor of love. It's also an exercise in faith when you don't know how it's going to turn out. Don't let the uncertainty discourage you...the unanticipated can surpass even the greatest of expectations. And if you don't like the effect, you can always dig them back up!

Prune those plants!

One of the best things about a mild winter is that you can get your spring cleanup underway early. As we head into the middle of March in upstate New York, local forecasters aren't seeing any harsh weather on the horizon. Of course, Mother Nature can be a trickster; she may toss a dodge ball our way in the form of a wicked April snowstorm, but fleeting weather events in early spring rarely damage the landscape permanently. With that in mind, I'll be reaching for the pruning sheers within the next week.

It's best to prune the plants in your yard every year. Trees, shrubs, and perennials have an awful lot of stems, and it's hard to keep them properly shaped and healthy if you don't establish a yearly routine. I think of pruning as an "outdoor housekeeping" activity--comparable to annual interior maintenance routines like painting ceilings and trim. It's vital to remove diseased, dead and damaged stems, which attract insects and invite disease.

As I usually do this time of year, I'm posting the pruning basics so gardeners can avoid the errors that cost plants their lives--and plant owners their hard-earned cash. Below, 4 vital pruning rules:

1. What to prune now: Deciduous shade trees like ash, oak and linden, which are dormant in winter. When pruning, be careful to cut old branches flush against tree trunks--no stumps allowed

2. What to prune soon: All plants that bloom on new growth in summer (examples: crape myrtle, potentilla, butterfly bush). You can cut these plants all the way back in late winter or early spring and they will still flourish and bloom in profusion

3. What to prune later: Any plant that forms flowers on "old" wood, which means that buds are formed on existing stems. Lilac, forsythia, climbing roses and rhododendron fall into this category. These plants must be cut back immediately after bloom in order to give the buds a chance to set for next year. When pruning, cut back the oldest existing canes and stems all the way to the ground. This encourages young stems to grow vigorously, which is healthiest for the plants

4. What can be pruned nearly anytime: Shrubs without visible blooms, grown mainly for foliage, may be cut back anytime. Some prime examples include burning bush, boxwood and barberry. The only time you don't want to take the shears to them is late autumn, which exposes vulnerable plants to harsh winter temperatures before they've had enough time to harden off (not allowing them to recover from their cutting wounds before the dramatic climate switch).

Begin the pruning process now and your garden promises to be a cut above last year. If you're like me, you like to see your landscape improve every year!

Room for 'srooms

Esteemed for both culinary and health-supporting properties, mushrooms also look really cool in the garden.  Three of the most beneficial mushrooms hail from Japan, but can be easily grown in your garden. Below, note the health benefits of each type of mushroom, and their horticultural
needs:

Shiitake

This mighty mushroom contains polysaccharides, which appear to be powerful anti-viral and anti-tumor agents. Shiitake also enhances immunity by boosting the production of T cells, and even helps to fight flu, due to the presence of a polysaccharide known as KS-2. New clinical studies suggest that Shiitake even protects against the damaging effects of radiation and chemotherapy.

Ingesting shiitake benefits the heart by lowering cholesterol. Studies conducted at the National Institute of Nutrition demonstrated that consumption of shiitake leads to a drop in serum cholesterol of between 7 and 12 percent. Studies show that shiitake inhibits platelet gathering in the blood, reducing the buildup of arterial plaque - which causes hardened arteries.  This mushroom also lowers high blood pressure.

Reishi
A staple of  traditional Chinese medicine, reishi is thought to enhance longevity by fighting tumors, presumably due to the presence of the polysaccharide Beta 1.3, which also occurs in shiitake. Reishi also increases immune-protective T cells and macrophages. The mushroom demonstrates anti-bacterial and anti-viral activity, and accelerates recovery time from infectious Hepatitis.
Reishi protects the liver from damage  by chemical toxins such as carbon tetrachloride. The presence of a histamine-inhibiting compound in reishi, makes this  mushroom helpful in the treatment of chronic bronchitis. Reishi is also inhibits platelet aggregation - a contributor to arterial plaque --providing significant heart- protective benefits.

Maitake

Not as well-known as the shiitake and reishi, maitake may be valuable in the fight against HIV. At an International Conference on AIDS in Amsterdam, maitake was reported to inhibit the HIV virus in vitro. While the mushroom doesn’t kill the HIV virus in humans, it may help as part of a total integrated health regimen. Some Japanese research even suggests that maitake may provide the strongest immune-enhancing properties of any mushroom.
Like both reishi and shiitake, maitake contains a wide array of valuable amino acids, enzymes, polysaccharides, vitamins, minerals and other medicinal compounds. Research shows that the compounds in maitake mushrooms may fight breast and skin cancer cells. These compounds appear to bolster the immune system by stimulating the production of macrophages, killer T-cells, T lymphocytes, and natural killer cells. Maitake mushrooms also reduce high blood pressure, and help to stabilize blood sugar levels, vital for diabetics.

Since mushrooms can be expensive and hard to find, the idea of growing your own is starting to catch on in North America. It's supposed to be relatively easy, so I'm going to give it a try. I discovered a detailed guide for having fun with fungi on "Sustainablog":

There are but a few things you need, including a supply of freshly cut wood, mushroom spawn, and a shady, damp place to store your inoculated mushroom logs.
Mushroom inoculation commonly occurs in the early spring. You will need to find a source of hardwood (such as oak, which is commonly preferred). If you have access to woodland, you can cut your own trees for logs. However you obtain your logs, they should be 40″ long, and approximately 4-6″ in diameter.
Mushroom spawn can be purchased from a variety of suppliers (such as Fungi Perfecti or MushroomPeople) and usually come in the form of dowels or sawdust. Either medium will grant you the same results, but using the sawdust spawn does require the use of a special inoculation tool, which you can also buy from the same suppliers.
After letting the logs rest for three weeks to let the natural fungicides die back, you are ready to inoculate. Drill holes every 6-8″ around the full circumference of the log (and 2″ from either end), and then plug the holes with either your dowels or sawdust spawn. In an old pot, melt some beeswax, and then paint the wax over the holes to protect the spawn. (The beeswax protects the spawn from contaminants as the mycelium runs through the log.)

Finally, stack your logs against a fence, in the fashion of a tipi, or lay them on the ground on a bed of straw. You will want the logs to be in a shady, damp place so that the logs maintain a high moisture level. If the rain is infrequent, you can induce shiitake fruitings by submerging the logs in a body of water or watering them heavily. Either way, expect to see mushrooms in about 6-12 months after the inoculation. Shiitake mushrooms usually appear after a day of rain in the spring, summer, and fall months.

Your shiitake logs will continue to produce fruit for up to eight years, providing you with many harvests of beautiful, delicious, and healthy fungi! Give it a try!