October 29th is my 50th birthday and I thought for a long time how I wanted to spend the time, not just the day,  but the weeks even months leading up to “The Big 50”.  I did a career change last summer so for the time being I am not officially employed other than teaching my…

My garden for the most part is still going strong, there are parts that are looking a little shabby but thats to be expected as we transition into fall.  By this time of year I am tired of trying to keep it all prim and proper so for the next few weeks it can run…

My dahlias not only came back this year they have grown so tall it’s getting hard to reach the blooms to cut them off, I have no idea what is going on under the soil, and considering the only soil is what I added, they are growing like mad!  Dahlias are so much fun, I am…

Milk or Tea first into the cup? More and more tea is being mentioned in the media, and this question always seems to come up: Is it proper to put the milk in first then the tea or the tea first then add the milk? This debate is solved by looking at a few things…

Solenostemon scutellarioides, is my latest addiction and the latin name for our old garden friend the coleus.  Now I pride myself on learning the latin names for my plants and there are some that I know the latin name and forget the common one, but this name is a challenge, I think I will stick with…

Even with the heat and no rain the garden is still hanging in there, the plants as long as they are watered hold their blooms  for a long time when the sun shines, I get the odd flopper but it quickly picks up with a little water.  Everyday they’re is a new surprise and something…

During the summer, I thought it would be fun to do a series of different places to visit and while there enjoy the flora, fauna and a cup of iced tea.  Fist stop, Bridal Veil Falls just south of Hope, BC.  This area became a park in 1965 so like me it turns 50 this year!  Along…

It has been hot here lately, especially for June, which in the past has been really rainy!  So rather than worry about the lawn going brown and all the plant flopping that’s happening, (I will water the poor garden as soon as it cools a bit), I decided to try to make home-made iced tea from…

There is love amongst the roses!  My roses ‘Beverly’ and ‘Peter Mayle’ seem to be very cozy in the garden these days!  ‘Beverly’ is looking beautiful all dressed up in her pink blossoms while ‘Peter Mayle’ is looking very handsome in his suit of rich, red/pink blooms.  They compliment each other very nicely, making the two of…

I am really enjoying my garden!  This is my second growing season in Chilliwack, British Columbia but to look at the garden one would think it was much more mature as the plants are all big and healthy!  Here are a few blooming now: Rose ‘Chicago Peace’ Pot of pansies…so sunny! Clematis ‘Nelly Moser’  for…