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Don’t Be Ordinary: Grow Seeds with a Story

I’d been growing Farnsworth’s jewel flower (Streptanthus farnsworthianus) for several years before learning about the person behind the plant. While doing some research about botanical names on California Plant Names: Latin and Greek Derivations and Meanings, I discovered that “farnsworthianus” refers to Evalyn Lucille Klein Farnsworth, a California rancher and naturalist. There’s more to her story (and many others) on the site, which is, by the way, safe to visit even if your browser says it is not secure.

Several years ago, I posted the first installments of the “Don’t Be Ordinary” series—Explore Intriguing Alternatives , Consider the Source, and Eight Utterly Un-Ordinary Gems—to highlight some of the many ways that growing plants from seed can make your garden unique. Since spring arrived too late for this month’s Bloom Day, and the next is nearly a month away, this is a perfect opportunity to pick another topic. Let’s consider the ways seeds, and the plants they produce, can link us to other times, places, and people through the stories connected with them. Continue reading Don’t Be Ordinary: Grow Seeds with a Story

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Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day – October 2022

Drought? Heat? Bean beetles? Chipmunks? Oh, never mind all that. Everything is forgiven and I am back in love with my garden right now. It’s all just lovely and I have spent way too much time wandering around with my camera recently. Trying to whittle a ridiculous number of images down to a Bloom Day post has been a real challenge, but I think I’ve managed it. Join me for a tour of this month’s highlights, starting with some of the remaining beautiful blooms.

Continue reading Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day – October 2022
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Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day – September 2022

This quirky seedling dahlia bloom makes me smile, as does the thought of this ordeal of a summer being just about over. We’ve had a bit of rain in the last month—appreciated even though well short of what’s needed—and it’s getting finally getting a little cooler, adding a touch of fall to the air. It’s surprising to think that the growing season could well be over by this time next month! In the meantime, there are still many pretty things to enjoy.

Continue reading Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day – September 2022