The changing leaves
As autumn settles in, change is quite literally in the air. The chill on the breeze and a little less sunlight each day signals plants and animals to …
Archive by category Outdoors
News and articles pertaining to our parks, events, gardening, and cooking!
New threats to the garden
In spite of the recent stretch of 80 and 90 degree days, fall is definitely in play. The leaves are beginning to show their true colors and the asters …
Patterns in nature
Have you ever looked at the center of a sunflower or a pine cone and thought there seems to be a pattern hidden in the design? There is in fact, a fascinating …
Plant now for first blooms in spring
Three of my last four columns have been about pests or invasive plants; how depressing! So I decided to write about something more enjoyable this month. …
Amazing dragonflies
Fascinated by dragonflies? Mark your calendars now for Dragonfly Snag & Spy on August 12 from 1-4 p.m. This event is your opportunity to get up close with …
The battle with beetles
Although they are not as abundant as past years, I have picked more than a few Japanese beetles from my rose bushes this summer. Japanese beetles are a major …
Summer at the Story Garden
If you have never stopped by the Story Garden in Folwell on 35th and Humboldt, summer is the perfect time! The strawberries are fresh, the black …
Soundtrack for the dog days of summer
When most people use the term ‘dog days,’ they are referring to days so hot and muggy even dogs don’t move. The term comes from the astronomers of …
Creeping Charlie does creep
Creeping Charlie, like the dandelion, is one of those perennial plants that people are constantly complaining about and battling to remove from their lawns. …
Why is it called Story Garden?
People have been asking about our name these days. Why is the community garden at 35th and Humboldt called the Story Garden? So I tell them this: …